Queensland business Jordan Hewitt has been announced as a finalist in the 2018 Australian Business Champion Awards.
Founded by Josephine Garner and Marlene Millers in 2017, the fashion house sews high quality formal and bridesmaids dresses from their base in Ipswich, west of Brisbane. The creations are then distributed by retailers nationally.
“We are very excited about being finalists in this prestigious award,” Marlene said.
Josephine and Marlene first foray into formal attire was helping their daughters and granddaughters bring their formal dress dreams to life.
“The process was a big family affair with lots of ideas, opinions and criticism to create the ultimate formal dress,” Marlene said.
This family sewing bee sparked a passion for creating perfect bespoke creations, and was the first stitches in the fabric of a bigger idea.
Now, the business remains family oriented with a focus on providing beauty and quality, while keeping garments Australian made.
“The whole family is very passionate about Australia and being Australian made,” Marlene said. “It is the physical formal and bridal stores in Australia that can provide the consumer with the most beautiful, high quality formal gown.”
While Jordan Hewitt is the first venture for Marlene and Josephine as a team, they have each built successful business careers individually, with their combined skill set proving a successful formula.
Marlene built her distribution experience representing American formal and bridal labels. Josephine has been a business woman her entire working life and her expertise have been integral to the growth of Jordan Hewitt.
Since launching in December 2017, Jordan Hewitt distributes its label to nine bridal and formal retailers, with their reach steadily increasing.
Setting the company apart is its National Dress Register which ensures fashion exclusivity. Customers buying a Jordan Hewitt dress in store or online record with the the salesperson or online the name of the event they will be attending. This is added to the dress register, and that dress will not be sold to anyone else attending the same event.
“Customers love this,” Marlene said. “We are making a positive difference in the Australian retail market.”
Josephine and Marlene are looking forward to attending the Australian Business Champion Awards in Sydney this April. No doubt, a custom Jordan Hewitt design will be in order for the occasion.
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