Business: Fashion comes around full circle for self made woman

Sara Fredrickson in her Hatrick St studio is carving out a career doing what she loves. Photo/Stuart Munro

It started with some lessons from her mum but now Sara Fredrickson is doing it for herself with her own fashion studio, Mindzye Fashions.

From her workshop in Hatrick St, Sara has seen her ambitions realised after several years of hard graft.

"My mum taught me how to sew when I was five and ever since I've been designing and making all sorts of creations," she told Business Xtra. "I'd worked in clothing factories for several years but decided I wanted to be my own boss."

When she was 23 she opted to tackle a fashion degree, and after graduating with a Bachelor of Fashion in 2007 she dabbled in business while figuring out what direction she needed to go.

"I was holding down four jobs at the time but slowly, as my business started along the right track, got rid of those jobs one by one."

Then 18 months ago she struck out on her own full time. Within a year she needed a bigger studio. She also needed to be closer to town and found the space in the Hatrick St property.

And the circle has been complete as she's taken on one part-time worker - her mother Kris, who taught her to sew.

"Most of our clients come to us through word of mouth although quite a few fashion shops around Wanganui pass on my details to customers needing repairs," she said.

Mindzye Fashions has its own clothing shop and offers free quotes.

"We can fix anything, from sewing on a button to fixing a wedding gown. We also design and make garments.

"People only need to bring in their pictures or ideas and I'll sketch a design, make a pattern and the final garment. It's not as expensive as you'd think."

Design and creation makes up half her studio's work. Some of Sara's clients come get a whole season's worth of clothing made four times a year.

Email: mindzye@hotmail.com. Phone: 021 159 5577 or (06) 344 7429. Facebook: mindzye fashions.