Young designers break into international market

Two young Hamilton entrepreneurs are carving their future in the fashion industry with the help of a US-based online megastore.

Chief designer Melissa Wise and Heidi Hollows  started their sewing careers in 2006 and specialise in women’s and children’s clothing.

Their fashion label Jack and Flea  has gained a steady following both overseas and at local boutiques.

The name comes from their high school nicknames Jack (Melissa) and Flea (Heidi), and has stuck.

The business load is shared between the two with Melissa taking charge of the design elements.

But, as successful as the pair are now, they were not always as busy.

“Before we did our training, we were both 18 and just hanging out at home, until Flea’s mum enrolled us [in a training school],” Melissa said.

“I feel more confident with the designing part of our work. I have a sketching book, and I am drawing all the time. I love sketching new things. Once they are drawn up, Flea and I go through them and select the ones we want to make,” she says.

The business features as a shop on host website etsy.com. The online mega store is run in the United States which has allowed Jack and Flea international exposure. From there the business was scouted by an up-and-coming boutique The Cuckoo’s Nest in Dunedin, which supplies a range of Jack and Flea.

“We send a box of new items down to Dunedin a month. So far it has been really successful,” Melissa says.