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Protection: Sun Safety for little eyes
Many of us had the sun smart Slip, Slop, Slap message drummed into us from childhood. But are you aware of Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap? The message is to slip on some clothing and into the shade, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses. Why are sunglasses important for babies and toddlers? Sunglasses are important to protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them. This is especially important for babies and children for whom overexposure to UV radiation can cause a predisposition to eye problems. Just as a baby’s skin is more vulnerable to the sun, their developing eyes also have an increased susceptibility to UV damage. The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) says most of the eye damage caused by UV radiation builds up over a long period of time and cannot be reversed. So the sooner you start protecting your little one’s eyes from the sun, the lower their risk will be of ever developing future eye problems. “There is some evidence that daily exposure to UV radiation in very bright sunlight over many years may increase the risk of developing cataracts which cause a gradual clouding of the natural lens of the eye. Exposure may also increase the risk of macular degeneration, an eye condition resulting from damage to the retina.” In NZ and Australia, we have to be particularly careful as our peak summer UV levels are roughly 40% higher than those at comparable latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. That’s because Earth’s orbit is elliptical, which means the Southern Hemisphere is closer to the sun during our summer. The thickness of the ozone layer is also a factor as is our clearer air quality. How to choose sunglasses for little ones Treat sunglasses as a necessity, not just an accessory. Although they certainly can be a fun fashion accessory and look super cute on babies! You’ll want to find sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection, like the Izipizi range . Polarized lenses are also a bonus as they protect against glare, giving visual comfort. Opting for grey lenses also means they don’t distort but instead respect natural colours Durability is also key with kids' glasses. Izipizi’s ultra-flexible, BPA-free, and hypoallergenic frames are also great for sensitive skin. In addition, straight arms mean they will also adapt to your baby’s growth. Of course, it's easier said than done to keep sunglasses on a wriggly baby every time you head outside! That’s why Izipizi baby and kids sunglasses come with an optional ultra-flexible and adjustable silicone strap. This helps keep glasses on so they don’t get lost. Finding a comfortable fit will also make your little one happier to wear them. IZIPIZI offers three kids sunglass ranges: Baby for 0-9 months (head size 34-41 cm) Kids for 9-36 months (head circumference 40-47 cm) Kids+ for 3-5 years (head size 46-53 cm) Lead by example, if your children see you wearing sunglasses, they’re more likely to want to wear them too! Getting little ones to wear sunglasses not only protects their eyes now and for the future, it helps them develop habits that last for life. Don’t forget those other sun smart rules: Find shade — especially for babies under 6 months. Car sunshades and stroller sun covers are a good investment. Choose a wide-brimmed hat Try to limit your sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun's rays are most intense Dress kids in cool clothing with good coverage Use sunscreen daily, even on a cloudy day.
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A Guide to Baby's Temperature
As a parent there always seems to be something to worry about! A common concern in these cooler months is baby’s temperature and how to hit the ‘Goldilocks’ sweet spot – not too cold; not too hot! Monitoring baby Babies can’t regulate their own body temperature for the first six weeks, so it’s important to keep an eye on them and adjust their clothing and room temperature to suit. First up – what is normal? Baby’s temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius. A mild fever is a temperature higher than 38ºC and a high fever is anything over 39ºC. A thermometer is a great addition to your home first aid kit – giving you a quick and accurate temperature reading. These will typically get used a lot throughout childhood, making them a great investment. Some great options include digital forehead thermometers for quick and contactless checks such as Oricom's Contact Infrared Thermometer or Nuk's Baby Flash Thermometer. It’s a good idea to also take your baby’s temperature on a day when they’re content and well, so you can check their ‘normal’. Babies under three months with a mild fever and babies between three and six months with a high fever (over 39ºC) should be taken to the doctor. Another way to gauge baby’s temperature is to gently touch the back of their head or tummy – it should feel warm. (While they offer easier access, don’t go by their hands or feet, as these extremities are often cooler.) Ideal temperature for a sleep space It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature - around 18-20ºC. If you have a heater, heat pump, or air conditioning with a thermostat, you can set it to 18ºC and it will flick on and off as the temperature changes throughout the night. Clothing and bedding choices are key Merino is a natural wonder that’s perfect year-round – helping with temperature regulation. It has little pockets of air that keep warmth in on cold days, and cool baby down on a hot day. Another great natural fibre for baby is organic cotton . It can eliminate moisture build up between clothes and your baby’s skin, to keep your them comfortable and dry. Clothes for when you’re out and about For daytime, opt for layers so you can add or remove a layer to keep baby comfortable - again sticking with cotton and merino. If your baby falls asleep in the pram or car - yay! But both spaces can heat up and get airless quickly – so don’t forget to monitor their temperature. Think about ways to provide shade and airflow – and don’t leave them asleep in a car alone. Bath time Ideal water temperature for a bath is 37°C. It should feel warm and soothing, but not too hot for delicate skin. You can test the water with the inside of your wrist, or make it super easy with a Oricom Duck Bath Thermometer or the colour-changing Pebbly.
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Producing quality products without the compromises
Producing quality products without the compromises Our commitment to our workers With most of the world’s fast fashion garments now made in Asia, the commitment to fair labour globally is sketchy at best. We believe it’s entirely possible to make a great product while caring about the environment, its workers and your little one too. Dimples’ dedication to producing high-quality New Zealand-made clothing hasn’t changed one bit since we started in 1992. Here’s how we put people at the heart of our product. Fabrics that put workers at the forefront From the origins of the raw materials through to dying and fabric manufacture, we choose materials that put people and the environment first – every step of the way. Homegrown merino – by choosing cosy merino grown right here at home, we know our local workers are getting well looked after. From fair working conditions on our Kiwi sheep stations to fair prices for the merino, New Zealand standards are adhered to throughout the process. Certified organic cotton – creating beautiful cotton without chemical fertilisers and pesticide protection is uncommon – and that’s a problem. Not only are farmers put at risk when they have contact with these chemicals, the run-off seeps into the waterways, affecting the food production and health of the whole community. We know that organic practices are best. From fibre to fabric – The majority of our fabrics are produced by ABMT in Melbourne, where our Aussie neighbour’s high labour standards and strict health and safety policies are adhered to. We’re proud to align with an ethical employer that also leads the way with its environmental policies. Production of the Dimples range Our ethically sourced fabrics aren’t jetted offshore for low-cost garment production. We employ a local team that puts our clothing and accessories together with love and care. Supporting the local economy and our workers With our strong focus on homegrown goods, we support fair employment, contribute to the local economy and keep our industry alive. Dimples employs skilled, full-time machinists that work from home, our garment cutters are just down the road from our head office and all our doming is done by a local business too. Encouraging work-life balance With many of our garments featuring our signature hand-embroidered bee and English rose, we have plenty of delicate embroidery work year-round. Our experienced embroiderers work from home and have the flexibility to fit bees and roses around their daily lives. Supporting diversity and gender equality We are an ethnically diverse team, with five nationalities currently represented by our employees. Dimples was founded and is still run by Jane Anne – women feature strongly in our leadership. Brands we stock align with our people-loving ethos We support and stock brands with a similar ethos to ours, making it easy for you to shop responsibly. Nuna With a focus on ‘creating consciously’, their emphasis on quality production is strong. As a result, Nuna conforms to OHSAS 18001 which is an international certification putting employees’ health and safety at the forefront. To read more about how Nuna products are responsibly made, visit them here . Stokke As a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative Norway , Stokke is an industry advocate for ethical best practices. Each step of the way, every supplier or partner of Stokke co-signs a code of conduct agreement to ensure proper working conditions, compensation and production methods are followed. Read more about their commitment to ethics and the environment here . Snuggle Hunny Snuggle Hunny is committed to sustainability with GOTS Certified organic cotton garments and a shift to compostable mailers, while offsetting carbon emissions through Greenfleet . The brand supports local communities by donating products to NICUs and charities like Sydney Children's Hospital and HeartKids, with 10% of Heart Collection sales going to support heart health in children. These efforts reflect Snuggle Hunny's dedication to both the environment and giving back to those in need. Read more about their sustainability efforts here . Doomoo Doomoo is all about sustainability, creating durable, multifunctional products designed to last. The brand focuses on using eco-friendly materials, and ensures much of their manufacturing is done locally in Europe. By prioritizing local sourcing, Doomoo reduces their environmental impact and supports regional economies. They also offer spare parts and care instructions to help families keep their products in top shape for years to come. Read more about how Doomoo is making a sustainable impact here. Clothing your babe minus the guilt Sweatshops and harmful production practices do not have to be the norm in our industry. As a brand, we have the power to put people (big and small) at the heart of what we do, and that’s proudly what we continue to do.
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Our Commitment to the Environment
Our commitment to the environment How we look after your little one without harming the planet While caring for your precious bundle is often the first thing on your mind, it doesn’t need to have a negative impact on our environment. At Dimples, we partner with like-minded manufacturers and brands to offer ethical, sustainable products. We know that it’s possible to look after your babies without causing harm to the very planet they’ll inherit. Here’s what we do differently... Earth-friendlier fabrics Fabric choice is the starting point for us in doing our bit for the environment. Going for natural over synthetic is better for both your babe and the environment – synthetics are made from fossil fuels and cause lots of pollution. Nature does a pretty good job of providing us with amazing fabrics – merino wool from New Zealand sheep (which is both sustainable and renewable) and pure organic cotton that is free of chemicals. Our fabrics meet these standards: Fairtrade certified organic cotton and Australian Certified Organic – Our cotton is Fairtrade certified which shows farmworkers have decent working conditions and are paid fair prices for their produce. The organic certification means the farming process causes less stress on the environment. Without organic practices, toxic chemical residue ends up in local rivers, waterways and lakes, and harms the wildlife and people who live there. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 – this certification takes ‘certified organic’ one step further. To meet Oeko-Tex Standard 100, our fabric is tested and certified to be free from harmful levels of more than 100 substances known to be damaging to our health. We think this is pretty important for your babe’s delicate skin. Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) – this standard not only protects our adored merino producers but also the land they graze on. This is a globally recognised certification that covers sustainable grazing methods to protect our land. Responsible packaging While ruling out packaging completely is a difficult feat with stock coming in and out of stores and warehouses, we’re focussed on minimising what we use through recycling and reusing. Here are some of the things we do: Buy recycled boxes – this saves trees and the huge amounts of water taken to grow them (and make the boxes). Reuse boxes for stock – our boxes see multiple trips back and forth to shops before they end up in the recycling. Use tissue paper for packaging – we only wrap your precious purchases in recyclable tissue paper. Reuse plastic bags from suppliers – sometimes we can’t avoid plastic. If that’s the case, we make sure it gets reused rather than binned. Reducing environmental impacts with our manufacturing partner Wastewater is a huge problem internationally, with tonnes of toxic, dye-filled wastewater dumped into streams and waterways without being treated. There’s little regulation or policing of this, which has led to a lot of waterways in China and India becoming contaminated. Our textile partner ABMT is an innovative and environmentally-friendly manufacturer that prides itself in reducing the huge environmental impacts usually associated with making textiles. Its Melbourne facility has an on-site water treatment plant, so up to 85% of water in the factory is reused within the manufacturing process or through a third-party recycled water programme. ABMT also holds an ISO1401 Environmental Management System certification, which shows environmental impacts and sustainability are front and centre of its operations. Slow fashion for generations of babies Fast fashion sees a lot of textiles ending up in landfill. With little ones growing as quickly as they do, baby clothes too often join the growing piles of waste. That’s why we focus on timeless designs and fabrics that last, so your Dimple’s products will last through generations of babies. Brands we stock care too We partner with brands who share our environmental ethos. Stokke – throughout the company’s history, Stokke has made every effort to use environmentally-friendly and biodegradable materials. They don’t rest on their laurels but continue to innovate and explore new ways of helping preserve the planet. Read more about the Stokke commitment to ethics and the environment here . Nuna – Nuna is focused on ‘creating consciously’ with mindful manufacturing and materials. They believe in designing better gear for your little one and at the same time improving the world in which your child will grow up. Read more about how Nuna goes above and beyond here . Forget any trade-offs – you can have both Looking after our environment doesn’t mean you need to compromise on quality or choice. We’ve hand-picked the best fabrics, manufacturers, and suppliers to make shopping with a conscience easy.
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Natural Clothing and Allergies
The best clothing choices for allergies Soft, natural, gentle Babies’ skin is soft, gorgeous – and sensitive. When they’re young, their skin is much thinner and more permeable than that of an adult, which is why it’s so susceptible to irritation and dryness. Although all babies have delicate skin, some have more serious skin conditions like eczema, hives, and other irritations. These increasingly common conditions can be caused or exacerbated by food allergies, and environmental triggers like laundry powders, soaps, and clothing. While the right clothing can’t cure eczema or allergies, it can help reduce the symptoms and make your baby more comfortable. Soft, natural fibres, organic fabrics, chemical-free processing and quality craftsmanship can help. Here’s what to look for: Naturally gentle Eczema-prone skin is irritated by harsh fibres and heat. Synthetic fabrics and thick weaves – like denim or hand-knitted wool – can trap heat, rub against the skin, and make symptoms worse. Look for clothing made of soft, naturally breathable fabric like cotton, linen, and hemp. Although thick wool can be irritating, finely woven merino clothing is gentle enough for most eczema-prone babies. In fact, because merino helps wick away moisture and regulate temperature, it can actually help reduce skin irritation caused by overheating. Choose organic Because babies’ skin is so permeable, it can absorb harsh chemicals from clothing. That’s why it’s important to choose organic fabrics as much as possible. Conventional cotton crops are treated with a range of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides while they’re growing. No matter how much you wash clothing before wear, traces of these chemicals can remain in the fibres and transfer to your baby’s skin, potentially causing allergic reactions or general irritation. Avoid the issue by choosing pure, certified organic cotton as much as you can. Soft colours for soft skin During processing, cotton and other fabrics may be bleached, dyed, and treated with chemicals like softeners, fire retardants, and wrinkle or stain guards. These chemicals are designed to stay in the fibres of the fabric, which means they end up pressed against your baby’s skin, potentially triggering eczema flare-ups or irritation. Often, high-quality organic cotton and merino products are made without these chemicals to avoid these issues, and some manufacturers will list clothing as allergy-friendly or chemical-free. If you’re unsure, choosing white or undyed organic cotton or merino is the best option. Made with care Good craftsmanship is just as important as quality materials. Cheaply made baby and children’s clothing is often ill-fitting, with rough seams and scratchy labels – all highly irritating to sensitive skin. Quality clothing, on the other hand, is designed to fit comfortably. Look for clothing without tight sleeves, elastic at the cuffs, or high necklines – these can all chafe and irritate sensitive skin. Seams should be sewn flat and labels should be printed on the fabric or easy to remove. Go natural for extra care Whether your baby has allergies or not, you can’t go wrong choosing gentle, natural, soft clothing. You’ll keep them warm and comfortable, avoid harsh chemicals, protect their skin, and reduce the risk of irritation. At Dimples, all our baby clothes are made of natural fibres, with quality craftsmanship, comfortable, classic designs and minimal chemicals used in processing. Take a look now.
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Why Buy New Zealand Made Clothes?
From garments more well-travelled than most of us to clothing produced in factories not quite up to scratch – the backstory of what we buy has become an increasingly hot topic. Keeping shopping habits local is an easy way to not only do your bit for the environment but also support the New Zealand economy and the people who live here. Better still, buying New Zealand-made no longer means compromising on quality or choice – in fact, it’s typically quite the opposite! Do it for the birds and the bees (literally) The environmental impact of clothing sourced overseas is huge. Buying local often means reducing ecologically unfriendly packaging, and will certainly cut out vast amounts of fossil fuels in transport. Clothing made in New Zealand also complies with strict guidelines, which is a big win for the environment in an industry that is notoriously hard on the planet – no pesticide and fabric-dye-filled runoff contaminating water supplies here thanks! Feelgood tip – swap those well-travelled goods with locally-made merchandise. Fast fashion or future-friendly? The days of patching worn jeans and sewing up holes in socks are long gone – popping to the shops for a wallet-friendly replacement is just too easy. But with prices so low, something’s got to give – whether it’s the quality of raw materials, worker conditions, or the standard of the finished product. This fast-fashion movement ironically has you popping to the shops for replacements a whole lot more often! All this disposable fashion also becomes a major landfill problem. Synthetic fabrics are much cheaper to produce (they make up about 60% of a typical closet) and can go on to live hundreds of years after parting ways with your wardrobe. On the flip side, buying New Zealand-made means these items live up to local production standards, and are far more likely to survive playground adventures and multiple trips through the washing machine. They might even look good enough to pass on to family or friends once you’re done with them – recycling at its best! Feelgood tip – invest in quality, locally made items that can be passed on. Guilt and hassle-free shopping Shop-a-holics rejoice! If you’re buying locally produced goods, pat yourself on the back for your contribution to the local economy. You’re supporting fair, local employment and helping to keep New Zealand businesses alive and able to compete with the big guys. Shop-a-holics rejoice some more! If you’re buying locally produced goods and have accidentally bought the wrong size for your little one, it’s as easy as popping into a store or a local phone call to fix your problem. Local businesses are usually happy to help (as each customer is important) whereas it’s likely you’re literally one in a million for big global companies. Even finding contact details can be a challenge! Feelgood tip – shopping local simply supports New Zealanders. Dimples' does it differently No compromises here, just adorable, high-quality clothing, using high-quality raw materials, produced by fairly treated Kiwi workers! Our commitment to the environment hasn’t changed as the business has evolved and grown, and neither has our commitment to our workers. All Dimples clothing is made here in New Zealand from locally sourced merino (or from our neighbouring Australian sheep) and pure organic certified cotton (to ensure the impact of cotton farming is minimal). We don’t have a huge factory producing our clothing – instead, our expert sewers work from their homes. It’s essentially a scaled-up version of the small home workshop where it all started. The end result is hard-wearing, long-lasting clothing – that stays looking super cute for longer. Feelgood tip – buy New Zealand made.
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Keep, pass-on or donate.
Keep, pass-on or donate. Here’s something that will be news to no-one: babies grow, and fast! That adorable onesie they came home wearing, the outfit they met their grandparents in, their first birthday party dress… they’re now sitting in storage – boxes of tiny clothes taking up room. That clutter helps no one, but there’s another downside to storing clothes – it actually damages them. Even if you wash and dry clothes thoroughly and store them in a dry, dark place, it’s likely they will suffer. Protein stains from drool, milk spills and spit-up get embedded in the clothing. If they’re in regular use, the marks are kept at bay, but in storage, they develop into yellow and brown stains. Most of these become permanent and are resistant to cleaning. Elastic and stretchy clothes will lose their elasticity, especially if they’re stored in a warm environment. So, baby clothes need to come out of storage, but how do you tell if they’re keepsakes, hand-me-downs or ready to be donated? We’ve made things simple with a checklist of things to consider before adding an item to the ‘keep’ pile. Donate or pass on, if the clothes are: Super girly or masculine If you have non-neutral clothes, it might not be smart to keep them for future children, unless you’re really comfy blurring gender lines. The chance of having that same-gender again is only 50/50. Very tiny There’s no way of knowing how big your next baby will be. If you had a premie the first time around, that 10lb second baby (ouch) won’t ever fit those tiny clothes. Strictly seasonal While high-quality merinos will suit most seasons, it’s best to get rid of anything that’s very heavy, or very light – light blousy dresses, or heavy jackets. If your next child is born at a different time of year, he’ll have outgrown the items before the weather gets cool or warm enough to wear them. Damaged or stained If you wouldn’t put your baby in the clothes now, don’t expect your mind to change later. Really useful to someone else Whether they’re a permanent donation to the Salvation Army or a loaner to close family or friends, they’re doing more good being used. Keep if the clothes are: Emotionally significant Perhaps your next baby won’t ever wear that tiny beanie, but you can’t bear to part with it. Some precious items are worth holding onto, for the memories. Versatile If something will work across seasons, genders, and is stretchy to accommodate growth, it might be worth keeping – you’ll have a better shot of getting your next baby into it at some point. Clean, tidy and high quality Everything you keep should look almost new. This means you’re more likely to still have some wearable things when the next baby comes along, even after being stored for a few years. When should you let those baby clothes go? Letting go can sometimes be difficult – it can be farewelling some happy moments in your life. That includes maternity clothes too – even if you ended up really hating those stretchy jeans, saying goodbye feels like letting go of that precious time. Many of us keep clothes well beyond any useful point if they hold beautiful memories. If this is you, then it’s time to make some choices. Keep a few outfits that are really important to you and have some lovely memories attached. You can even have some items made into a special memory quilt or cushion, so you can have them forever in a useful way. Then give away the rest. You’ll have your storage space again, you can feel good helping out another mother, and know that clothing will be used again to create happy memories for someone else.
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Summer smart, right from the start
Keeping little ones safe this summer After a long, cold, virus-heavy winter, many parents will be looking forward to summer – warmer days, fewer illnesses, and time outside with the kids. But after last year’s record-high temperatures, it’s important to remember that summer has dangers too. Babies, with their delicate skin and inability to regulate temperature, are particularly sensitive to harsh sun and heat. Make sure you’re aware and prepared before summer starts, so you can protect your wee ones – no matter how hot it gets. Here’s our summer safety toolkit: Safer with sunscreen Babies and small children have delicate skin that burns easily, so sunscreen is a non-negotiable in the summer months. Even if your children hate the application process, it’s still something that has to be done. If you make it a regular part of their morning routine, they’ll get used to it eventually. • Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30+ at minimum. • Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you go outside, and remember to reapply every 3-4 hours. • Use plenty – apply sunscreen thickly, and don’t miss areas like the back of the arms or ears. • Keep bottles of sunscreen everywhere – the car, the baby bag, grandparents’ house – so you’re never caught without it. • Don’t forget sunscreen on cloudy days – 80% of rays penetrate through cloud cover, so you can still get burnt. Buy the Made 4 Baby SPF50 Natural Sunscreen HERE . Shade solutions Sunscreen is a must if you’re out in the sunshine, but it’s not the only way to prevent sunburn or overheating. Staying indoors or in the shade during the hottest part of the day helps you avoid the heat altogether while dressing appropriately keeps you – and your children – safe and comfortable. • Try to avoid the sun between 11am-4pm, when UV rays are strongest. • Dress your children in loose, dark-coloured or UV-protective clothing and swimwear – the sun’s rays can penetrate light, thin fabrics. • Choose long-sleeved swimwear. • Make sure your babies and children always wear hats – full brim is best. • Use a sunshade or cover for your pram – but make sure it’s not preventing airflow to your baby, or she could overheat. • Use a shade cloth or stick-on shade in the car, to keep your baby’s seat out of the sun. Check out our range of Cotton Products Here Overheating and hydration During the summer months, it’s important to keep babies and children hydrated and cool as much as possible. Because they’re less developed than adults, babies and small children can’t regulate their body temperature properly, which means they’re more susceptible to overheating. During record high temperatures, overheating and dehydration can be a real concern for smaller babies. Although it’s less common in New Zealand’s fairly temperate climate, babies have died of heat exhaustion in extreme weather • Keep small children indoors, preferably with air conditioning on, during very high temperatures. • Make sure children drink plenty of fluids – homemade ice-blocks are a great way to get more liquid into them. • Give breastfed babies more frequent feeds – your milk will naturally be less concentrated to keep your baby hydrated. Drink more water yourself. • Bottle-fed babies should also be given more feeds – you can offer small amounts of water if you’re concerned about dehydration. • Dress babies and children lightly for sleep, and use a fan or air conditioning to keep the temperature in their room down. • Never leave a baby or child alone in the car, as temperatures can rise extremely rapidly. • If your baby or child is showing signs of dehydration or heatstroke – including lethargy, a dry mouth, fewer wet nappies, or a sunken fontanelle – seek medical treatment immediately. If it all sounds a bit alarming, don’t worry. Summer should be a time of fun and relaxation, even when you do have small children. As long as you’re aware and well prepared, you – and your wee ones – should be fine. Don't Forget the Sunscreen! Buy Sun Lotion Here
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From Hobby to 'Family' Business
As the first few of her fourteen children came along, our founder Jane Anne McAllister found that store-bought clothes just didn’t have the quality she wanted for her babies. They also lacked the strength to endure being passed from one baby to the next and still look good, or even stay intact. So she sourced the best fabrics and began making her baby clothes, lovingly embroidering each item by hand. That was the start of Dimples. Founded in 1992, today, we still dedicate the same care and time that Jane gave to those first garments. We’re one of the few clothing companies that still manufacture in NZ, which lets us make sure each garment is of the highest quality. It also means that our manufacturing is inherently ethical – no unknown, offshore factories with little oversight of working conditions, wages or environmental issues. So who makes our clothes? Our sewing machinists are part of our family, and all highly-skilled craftspeople. Karen has been with us for about seven years, putting her five decades of experience into every garment. Meet Karen – a Dimples sewer As a teenager, Karen finished school in December and reached school-leaving age in January, with dreams of training as a hairdresser. Her parents had other ideas – the hairdressing job didn’t start until mid-February, and they weren’t having her underfoot with nothing to do all that time. “I had to do what my parents told me to. So they marched me into town and got me a sewing job, and that’s where I stayed. I started in the city – 50 years ago. Yes, it was a craft.” ‘Made-in-NZ’ – an endangered species Back when Karen started her working life, a trained machinist could walk out of one job and into another almost immediately. That’s changed now. Textile, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing make up only 5% of New Zealand’s manufacturing sector, down from 8% in 2008. [1] The number of jobs filled by paid employees in the clothing and knitted-product manufacturing industry fell nearly 60 percent – from 9,550 to 4,120 between 1986 and 2012 [2] . Taking pride in the quality As a professional machinist, Karen says the shift towards international production might make clothes cheaper, but they’re often very poorly constructed. The difference, she says, is that she was trained to complete a whole garment rather than doing piece-work. International garment factories tend to have a group of people just sewing collars, cuffs or hems, for example. “Everything’s done on the big stitch, no back-tacking. Within weeks the seams come apart.” At Dimples, we can turn out high-quality garments because we employ craftspeople like Karen – they have very high standards and the skills to back it up. Karen, in particular was known for her precision and was often used as a sample machinist. “Everything had to be spot on. It was an example – then other sewers had to make it exactly like the sample.” The Dimples family The inclusive culture we foster at Dimples helps our engaged and committed staff produce their best work in a happy, supportive atmosphere. Karen truly thinks the Dimples ‘family’ are lovely people to work for. “I’ve worked for a lot of people, and some of the other bosses were terrible. But Jane is just fantastic. When my grandkids were born, I got a beautiful gift for each baby. At Dimples, they care about you. They’re just nice people.”
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