As the retail market place for local designer begins to shrink rapidly due to the flood of big international brands coming to the Australian shores, we decided to take a big challenge. This challenge is to take on a space in the middle of Melbourne CBD shopping district to provide the opportunity for local ethically driven designers a platform to sell their products. We strongly believe in nuturing our local talents.




Personally, we feel that there is a need to provide a prime platform for local designers to reach their current and potential client. There are very little opportunity for local designers and makers , like ourselves, to have the opportunity to sell from a premium city location. We have analysed and tested the market in the city area through various pop-up shops. This new retail shop and factory (ATA - Artisan Textiles Australia) is perfectly located at the corner of Little Collins Street and The Causeway. It has the high potential to reach local, interstate and international customers where other locations could not. We have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and this is perfect for us and the local market. We would also like to reach out to the international customer and let them know that we have exciting ethically and locally made high quality products.



Our future city factory accepts small to large runs. There are no minimum quantity required. There will also be a large retail section in the space. This provides shoppers with locally made garments, homewear and many more. This means that the local designers will possibly have a platform to sell their products at our city retail space.

We require approximately more than $100 000 to turn this rundown space to a dream platform for our local designers to have the opportunity to reach their customers. We are only raising a fraction of the cost.

About ATA:
ATA is a unique retail manufacturing fusion, offering the resources for a first season label not only to produce their collection but to also retail with in a beautifully appointed store in a prime location. In addition to this new city location, we also have a manufacturing resource in Brunswick. Our services include pattern making, sampling, grading and full garment manufacturing. We are experienced in producing swimwear, children swear, evening wear to street wear. We also have a full screen-printing capability, which includes placement printing to full yardage.


ATA team:
Dale has studied both fashion design and textile design in Tasmania as well as doing a BA in fashion design at RMIT. Dale has been involved in all aspects of rag trade particularly in the area of ethical and sustainable practise and has experience of 23 years in the industry.



Sharmaine started her fashion career in Sri Lanka and brought her expertise working for large international brands to Australia through studying fashion at RMIT. Since being in Australia she has worked for a number of small independents brands facilitating all pattern making, sampling and manufacturing with the experience of 20 years in the industry.


Ida is a silk painter with 13 years experience in architecture, landscape architecture and project management. Ida gains her qualifications from University of Western Australia, University of Sydney and Singapore Polytechnic. Born in Singapore from a Javanese background, she aspired to be an accomplished artist. As a child, she loved to draw and paint. She would hide behind curtians and drew on the wall. She would draw on the grout between the floor tiles and even on her mother's fashion magazines. She learnt how to sew from her mother who was a seamstress and her father regularly registered her for art competitions and she won few of them.

Currently, we are facing a huge challenging to renovate the new city location. Spanning more than 200 sqm., it has proven to be a big job to make it look beautiful as it has been vacant for more than a year. The condition of the space is not ideal as it has not been maintain for many years. The paint and plaster are peeling. The floor has been randomly tiled. The electrical and mechanical are not fully functioning and the are many more that needed fixing up.


  
The funds will be used to renovate this space. Here is the breakdown of what need to be done:
Mechanical: Air conditioning & ventilation - $45 000
Floor: Removal of tiles - $3 000
Floor: Polish & Seal - $12 000
Walls: Removal - $4 000
Walls: Replacement glass walls/doors - $30 000
Walls/Fence: Chain link fence/door - $1 000
Electrical - $4 000
Lighting - $5 000
Toilet door - $100
VIP Preparation area: Wall & door - $1 000
Rack and other fitout - $4 100
Fire services - $10,000

Other basic requirements:
Mannequins - $2,400
Hangers - $1,000
Signage and approval - $1 000
Advertising and promotions - TBC

Melbourne is know of its hidden gems. We have hidden cafes, restaurants, galleries and many more. ATA is also one of those hidden gems! As ATA will not be on the street level, the challenges involve getting people to know us and our location. We heavily depend on the internet, social media platforms and other traditional media.

Pozible is one of the avenues to assist the success of ATA. Other avenues include the followings:
- Newsletters
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- Website
- Word of mouth
- Newspapers & magazines