We sat down with Tracey from Conscious Consumers to chat about being creative with resources, why we’ve steered away from wholesale, prefer to custom make and the obstacles we face in working towards a more sustainable fashion future.

When we think about conscious consumerism, ethical consumption or whatever you want to call it, the fashion industry seems to be the last industry to address the issues we face – globally. Tell us a bit about Mandatory’s beginnings and how you got into ethical fashion.

Mandatory was founded in 1997 by designers Clare Bowden and Fiona Edwards who switched from their respective established women’s wholesale labels in response to noticeable demand for choice (and fit) in good menswear in Wellington.

Mandatory operates as an independent men’s outfitter on Cuba Street with a manufacturing studio space a block away. Garments are produced in small runs, in season, in Wellington, and customers are offered custom made garments for the same price as off the rack using end customisation and in-time production methods.

Mandatory has steered away from wholesale, preferring to keep the physical and financial costs of production to a level that delivers directly to the market. This approach allows for meaningful, highly appreciated work for employees (all creative) and a quality product that customers continually return for.

The ability to supply actual demand is the way waste is reduced and costs are managed - this has seen us last the distance. Garments designed, fitted, made well and sold for purpose are worn often and last longer while looking better than their mass-produced, cheap counterparts.

 Read the full interview over on their blog: https://consciousconsumers.nz/blog/2017/5/3/profile-mandatory-a-global-leader-in-local-fashion

Personal Wardrobe Planning

Mandatory is pleased to offer a personal wardrobe planning consultation service.

For many of our clients a comprehensive plan where pieces work together to create a functional wardrobe is the most efficient and effective approach to allocating money for clothing over a season of work, functions and fun. Our service identifies existing pieces that work, recognises garments that have potential but may need minor adjustments to the fit and pinpoints key gaps in the wardrobe. We make suggestions that bring pieces together. We also offer advice on accessories, shoes and function wear as well as how to best care for your wardrobe.

Consultations begin in store where there are examples of likely types of garments to identify your taste and wardrobe needs: Style/textures/colours/levels of formality/lifestyle requirements.

We then schedule a time to visit with you at your house. In-home wardrobe consultations are relaxed and efficient and take between 1-2 hours.

The main focus is to put outfits together within your wardrobe for different events and scenarios.  We do this by identifying what’s working well, recognising any ‘gaps’ and by making suggestions for pieces that would bring the wardrobe together. We bring samples, swatches, pictures and record ideas for things you express interest in, which can later be fitted and made for you back at the store. We also organise alterations for existing pieces where needed.

The cost of this consultation is $200 with no strings attached – you are not obliged to purchase anything after the consultation. If, however you find suggestions useful and it results in us making things for you, the $200 is offset against purchases at a rate of $50 per item.

You will be provided with a ‘Style File’ summarising your consultation, advice and our suggestions on future purchases and things to look for. As the season progresses its not uncommon for us to contact clients with relevant suggestions as they arrive in stock

Testimonial:

Clare and Hannah delivered great advice on my wardrobe. I approached Clare with the suggestion that I needed help! I had learnt to trust Clare and Hannah when buying clothes at Mandatory over the last many years. Their advice was clear and tailored (no pun intended) to what I wanted my business wardrobe to do for me. I confessed to making some bad choices in the past. Expensive clothes that I only wore once!  I got it right a few times too, but without thinking about how it would work with the whole wardrobe. I have every faith that with their advice that won’t happen again. Also they made it easy to think about how various items go together. With their help I know that I can get more out of the investment I’m making in clothes. Also it wasn’t a sales exercise to get me to buy Mandatory. They give great advice on other brands as well. Highly recommended. – Bernie White

To find out more about wardrobe planning and the ways we can help please call us or email info@mandatory.co.nz

SHOW case 2015 was an exciting collaborative event held in May to celebrate the intersection of art, design and fashion in the capital city. 

VIP guests boarded special SHOW tranzit buses and headed off to a secret location; Propeller Studios in Shelly Bay where they were treated to drinks and designer canapés courtesy chef de Pâstisserie Louis Sergeant, before walking through a series of designed spaces, each one an interactive collaboration between design practices; artists, furniture, jewellery, fashion and furnishing. Mandatory had the thrill of collaborating with BoConcept in three colour themed rooms: The Amber Room [gentlemen’s study], The Silver Room [luxe lit entertaining suite] and the Black Room [private club]

 ‘Monodramatic’; Monochromatic+dramatic. 

THE AMBER ROOM