Trelise Cooper to focus on the US

May 3, 2006

Trelise Cooper to focus on the US as her new target market

Leading New Zealand fashion designer Trelise Cooper announced today she is firmly shifting her fashion focus to the lucrative US market.

Cooper told the Thrive business conference in Auckland today she felt convinced her fashion empire would dramatically expand in the US sales environment.

``I am my targeting my growth in the US market after setting the platform in Australasia in recent years.

``From my initial forays in the US, it’s apparent we can become very successful in the US and I’ve been invited by Saatchi and Saatchi to show our collection at a catwalk show at their Saatchi and Saatchi Headquarters during New York Fashion Week in September.’’

Cooper’s collections are being bought by the prestigious stores across the United States from Saks Fifth Avenue, to Henri Bendel in New York to Fred Segal in Beverley Hills.

``All of these stores have top customers and people like Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Jane Seymour, Meg Ryan, Michelle Pfieffer, Stevie Nicks, Mena Suvari, Sarah McLachlan are wearing my garments.

``In the new movie Just My Luck to be seen here next month, star Lindsay Lohan is wearing a fully sequined Trelise Cooper coat.’’

Cooper said last November was a defining point in her business career.

She was invited to attend a World Fashion Leaders Symposium in New York.

Many of fashion’s greatest names attended, including the chief executives multi-billion dollar companies like Gucci, Nike, Balenciaga, Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren.

``It was a defining few days. I immediately saw I had arrived to a point in my business where most people wanted to be --- without having realised it. So the New York symposium taught me a lot.’’

Meanwhile, Cooper said her spring 2007 collection had sold throughout Australia and New Zealand last month to record sales (52 percent increase).

``Our summer collection was launched last week in Australia and all indications are that it too will break sales records.

``I have just returned from Australian Fashion Week and I was again reminded of New Zealand’s unique take on design.

``New Zealand can not only be the boutique wine cellar, the blockbuster movie makers, but also the design and fashion leaders from the country at the edge of the world.

``Let no one think the size of our country be a determining factor any more. We are surrounded by sea and there is a sea of opportunity out there for NZ businesses.’’

A key secret of her fashion empire’s success was ensuring all her staff enjoyed every day working for the company, she said.

They begin each day at Trelise Coopers Ltd headquarters in Parnell with a 10 minute meditation for all staff. They have a roster for someone to read something meaningful or uplifting to them, as their start to the day.

``I do this because we are a creative company driven by time deadlines so live a fast paced chaotic work life and this is one point in the day where we can all gather together for some harmony and tranquility.’’

Motor race Greg Murphy, jeweler Michael Hill, businessman Craig Norgate, Finance Minister Michael Cullen, real estate leader Michael Boulgaris and New Zealand rugby administrator Steve Tew were among other speakers at the conference.

ENDS

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