Covid-19 affecting industry

Business

LOCAL fashion designer Annette Sete says the Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions are creating difficulties in the fashion industry.
Sete said the main challenges faced by those in the fabric and garment business were finding capital to order, sell small quantities at higher prices, and Chinese businesses (stealing) designs.
She said the new challenge was the Covid-19.
“For example the factories have cut back on their hours for printing,” she said.
“So in the case of our independence fabric for this year, it took so long to print that by the time it was done, the ship with our container had already left.
“So we decided to fly in these independence fabric and now our prices are even higher.”
She said with limited stock and limited edition, Maku Gifts would be supplying only 10 bolts to each location.
Sete recently met with Shirley Lung, a reseller and owner of Shirls in Lae to discuss business details, and build the hype towards the Independence day sales.
Lung two years ago switched to using only fabrics designed by local fashion brands.