handcut girl

to bring or not to bring

2011-05-16T22:49:00.001-07:00

We all love a day out shopping sharing some retail therapy with our BFF’s
The fun of playing dress up….. how about trying on some new shoes……
maybe a new cardi – it has been chilly in the early hours ……
check this out why not a new frock for work made from men’s old woolen trousers!!!
But be advised choose your shopping buddy carefully.
Make sure your BFF is also in a shopping mood – otherwise they will be negative towards anything you look at – they may be suffering from credit card overload and can’t afford to shop today or they just feel frumpy so everything you try on will not look good to them
They need to be trustworthy – especially if you both like the same garment as everything in our store is a one of a kind – we normally promote the first in first served policy
Opinions and compliments are always appreciated to help make a purchase decision – only if they tell you what you want to hear – looks beautiful on you – works well with your skin tone … makes you look slimmer – the green accentuates your eyes… after all this is your shopping treat.

2011-04-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

Time for a brand new handcut site. Spending Easter making over everything.
Back online soon!

functions....and wow!!! did you see that…

2011-04-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

We were invited to attend a school social function directly after we closed the store last week.....which is always a chore after you have worked hard all day on the floor and to touch up the lipstick jump in the car to go across town to the theatre where the function was being held. It had been a busy day and going to a function was the last thing we really felt like doing....anyways, all ready to go we walked in and had a look around for some familiar faces......it was not the faces that were so familiar but the outfits the women and men were wearing....look that lady has a pair of Maple Quilt Boots on....and wow that lady has a Tatiana dress on with that stunning aqua blue sleeve...that guy did you see him....he looks absolutely stunning in his Spencer cardigan and jeans...then there was the Butterfield Skirt and Bergman Jacket in junior navy with soft grey pinstripes and now we were getting excited. We had managed to locate at least a dozen outfits in a short amount of time that had been purchased from our handcut store.....and we are proud to say that every one was wearing their handcut, one of a kind fashion item with pride.

handcut creates one-of-a kind fashion from reclaimed vintage clothing and fabrics - our passion is design and our philosophy is sustainability

shopping patterns..*#@....$$$$

2010-05-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

Being in retail – the old saying is….‘if you could read the retail customer you would be very wealthy indeed’ We have noticed an interesting pattern with our clients - the 2 minute shopper falls in love instantly with an item that they have just got to have now and leaves with their goodies as soon as they have arrived…..the 10 minute client comes in store looking for a particular item and walks out after purchasing something completely different….the 30 minute shopper is just a browser…..walks around and looks at random items…..the 60 minute client has to try on everything, falls in love with everything…BUT can’t make a decision and leaves empty handed…then we have the multi shopper…...who is always popping in and always playing dress up, never purchases on a regular visit BUT one day will purchase something when they are passing by in a 2 minute shopping love fest on their way to have a coffee, lunch, dinner or just to feed their parking meter….

moving with the times......

2010-05-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

It is always difficult in a time of hardship to be positive about tomorrow. I have noticed that some of our retailing neighbors have decided not to stick it out and instead have decided to close down their retail businesses. Handcut had a very successful autumn/winter fashion launch in April. The response to our clothing range for the season has been amazing. (Check out our website in the next week as the photos from the launch will be up on display) I have just returned from the rag houses in Toronto, Canada to source the product for the next years collections – the amount of clothing that has been thrown away always astonishes me – the sheer bulk of clothing displaying the original price tag, others that in most cases has never been worn – obviously purchased on sale or impulse - thinking it may have use in the wardrobe – the amount of money in clothing that we just throw away in these times, one would think that people would be a bit more careful and perhaps try and upcycle at home – adding new buttons, changing the style – but no they opt to discard. This however has been a great opportunity for us. The idea of designing and producing a more cost efficient range of clothing….keeping the style, design and manufacturing to our standard but not adding all the frills, like expensive reclaimed fasteners, buttons or pockets – but producing a range of clothing that keeps the pricing down. We will be launching this new range in store in June – and we are very excited about the prospects. I believe that people still want to look great and feel great about purchasing sustainable clothing and even in down times you have to be one step ahead of the game.

Looks Great; Feels Great ... is even Great for the Environment.

2009-03-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

handcut - launch autumn/winter 2009 fashion parade

April 1, at 6pm – Mumu Grill, 76 Alexander Street, Crows Nest

The big hit across Europe and North America this year were simple tanker style-pullovers. Add them to any shirt or jumper and the bright, cheerful colors will look stunning, yet be comfortable to wear as the winter chill sets in.

handcut is bringing back the tanker-style pullover in 2009 ... but with one important difference.

We use premium reclaimed fabrics that make our tankers not only unique, but also friendly to the planet.

Our team of designers have scoured through the giant warehouses in North America to harvest the finest materials and then re-worked them into this year's fashion originals.

And these latest designs will be on show at the handcut autumn/winter 2009 fashion parade this week, at Mumu Grill.

handcut CEO Tanya Greenwood said: "Last year our customers around the world have helped rescue more than 85,000 woollen jumpers, 52,000 pairs of woollen trousers, 11,000 men's dress shirts and 7,000 trench coats. But even as important to our customers, we have proven that our fashion is not only unique, but at the forefront of today's fashion styles."

As well as the handcut fashion, for men and women, the show will also feature the footwear of Terra Plana, the sustainable shoe brand that has experienced remarkable growth in Europe and the US. Terra Plana is the brain-child of the Clark shoe family, and features high-end fashion shoes for men and women made from natural and recycled materials.

the male shopper

2009-03-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

I have women in store all the time having a word or two to say about the males in their life - how they can't do two things at the same time, can never follow simple instructions and so they go on.....but I must say the male shopper is a very organised one, they know exactly what they want, what they like and do so in a few minutes...what!!! I hear you say...well let me set the scene...we had a female shopper in store trying on the new range of Juniper multi quilt shoes...we found the correct size and yes the shoes did look fabulous on foot but she wanted to know what other colour ways were available so I took a trip back to the shoe storage and collected several beautiful shoes in her size....and she was oh wow look at this colour combination...and look they are all different - even this pair are randomly different - but they are a pair......in the meantime a male shopper walks in and says do you have this shoe - the Vivo Barefoot Aqua in Petrol Blue in size 46..yes I replied...would you like to try them on?...yes he said...oh they feel great....I'll take them....this took about 4 mintes - meanwhile my female shopper was still pondering about what colours she liked in the Junipers...and had decided that there was too many beautiful shoes and could not make up her mind and said she would have to go away and think about them. So... the male may be able to think of only one thing at a time...but perhaps sometimes this to to their advantage......

another happy shopper

2009-03-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

when clients who spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in your store - leave happy and then write about their experience on their blog - hey - you have got to share the love - click on the following link, scroll down to ethical shoes and read about Ben, Dani and our handcut girl - while you are there check out Ben's beautiful jewellry creations!

http://finchbird-finchbird.blogspot.com/

our passion is design and our philosophy is sustainability

2009-02-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

Gee I am embarrassed – can you believe that it is February – and I have just realised that the 'Merry Christmas' ‘fun things to wear for that New Year celebration’‘what you can do to help the environment’ blogs I thought had been posted...... have just.....well disappeared somewhere - I thought I had followed my instructions carefully......anyways we will find them and post them later on in the year.
At the moment we are all very excited that our shop online facility is nearly ready to go live – photography and descriptions are just about finished. Once this task is completed we will have a fabulous range of autumn/winter knits available to shop online clients..... .it is so exciting – so if you live outside Sydney you can now have the opportunity to wear our great products.

Some items just talk...

2008-11-24T17:44:00.000-08:00

A regular store visitor has been eyeing off the only Rex Rex hoody left after winter on our end of season sale rack for the last couple of days............she just loved the colors and textile combinations, the style was just perfect for keeping out that winter chill for her Christmas vacation abroad – the only problem, it was a gents size XL and she is normally a ladies extra small.

At the end of the day she just could not help herself – this Rex Rex hoody was going to a good home with a detour via the tailor to be adjusted to fit just right........some items just talk and become MUST HAVES........even better if they are on the sale rack!!!!

Time to Invest

2008-11-17T17:58:00.000-08:00

The new consumer’s love affair is with thrift and eco awareness - born from the sheer boredom of the possession of too many consumables.

So...the newest trend is INVESTMENT DRESSING…..its all about beautiful clothes that can be worn for many seasons, time and time again – dressed up or dressed down.....

National Recycling Week - November 10 -16

2008-11-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

Remember, every little bit helps .........don't forget to sort out your waste products from product that can be recycled and swap something that you don’t wear anymore with a sister, brother or friend – help us to eliminate waste by living sustainable

1930's

2008-11-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

The concept of what we do at handcut started way back in the 1930’s – it was the depression – no money – no department stores – these women were thrifty, they would deconstruct their husbands old clothes and make that new dress for a get together with the girls – they even used household items like curtains and bedlinen – we are pleased to be able keep that tradition alive as we again face hard times.

One of a kind

2008-08-03T00:52:00.000-07:00

Making one of a kind fashion items does have its draw back when a client loves the color and the style but they have the wrong body with them to wear it.

Do you have this in another size?

One of a kind does actually mean we only have this style and color in this size only.

The handcut girl or boy as you know is an individual…

:-)

The Power of Advertising

2008-07-31T00:26:00.000-07:00

I had never given it much thought before …. We have never had the surplus money required to be able to advertise in glossy magazines. On Saturday I noticed a couple looking in the window and pointing at a photograph which had been taken during our last fashion parade – they were both smiling and nodding. One thing led to another and he then came in store and tried on the wonderful Travis jumper that was in the photograph and a successful purchase was made (actually he did look as good as the model in the jumper). Which made me start thinking – was it the photograph that had sold the jumper like an advertisement in a magazine, encouraging you to go and seek the product and try in on ?

Advertising… hmm…. I think we will have to start putting money aside for an advertising budget so we can participate in glossy magazines to show off our great clothes and shoes

SMH article: Cut from a different cloth

2008-07-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

And today we made the headlines!

See the article from the Sydney Morning Herald [smh.com.au]

Cut from a different cloth
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/07/29/1217097241082.html

:-)

Excuse me… you have a problem with your mirrors

2008-07-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

We have all experienced for ourselves or heard stories about ‘skinny mirrors’ the ones that make you look fantastic in just about anything – and then when they get home... Oh No! what was I thinking – anyways, a local character who always pops by to say hello, announced terribly seriously after she had walked around the store that we have a problem with the mirror at the back of the store.

A problem I asked looking horrified.

Yes, she said – I can see an old lady in them!

Who says the older members of our community have lost their sense of humor – and yes she was right she had seen her own reflection - age is definitely a state of mind – and how we look is what we think we see in our reflection.

****************************************************************************
And...

a big thank-you to all our wonderful customers for their valued support and for nominating handcut in the 2008 True Local Business Awards.

We are now a finalist! The winner will be announced on Thursday 28 August .

http://truelocalbusinessawards.truelocal.com.au/

CWA Visit

2008-07-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day in-store… it was like the Country Women’s Association had delivered a bus load of ladies to our front door. They were meeting to have a cup of tea before they were off with their senior’s cards to book a winter holiday together – somewhere north they said. Charming, witty and just so genuinely interested at how we had deconstructed items which had been discarded by their previous owners, saved them from landfill then rebuilt them to give them a new life as another fashion item. Their appreciation of fabrics, style and tailoring together with the stories told of how their mums had deconstructed their own families’ old clothing and curtains to make them new styled clothing during the war, made me smile for several hours later.

Stocktaking

2008-07-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of the year when you have to do a stock take – counting out the leftovers of the last financial year.

We were all surprised to see that the extra small, small, large and extra large sizes in our clothing styles had all made it to good homes, but we have been left with clothing items - size medium.

So what does this say about us - are we now all under sized and oversized

Where have all the medium girls gone?

Isn’t anyone average any more?

People

2008-07-19T02:30:00.000-07:00

Whenever friends stop by to say hello - to check out the store and have a cuppa tea with me, Wham Bam! all of a sudden shoppers come from everywhere – I must say the same happens whenever I receive a delivery in store – as I am stepping over the boxes and trying to sort out the new stock and trying to key it into the computer, Wham Bam! all of a sudden shoppers come from everywhere - so it's true – people attract people – people love to think that they have found a bargain rummaging through boxes - it doesn’t matter who they belong too!

Education

2008-07-12T02:14:00.000-07:00

What is it about recycled clothes that grosses out clients who are unfamiliar with what we do – oh!- I just love the design – and what fabulous fabrics – and then the saleswomen in me starts about how we are a sustainable fashion store and how this dress has been made from deconstructing 2 pairs of old blokes trousers found in rag bins – and the customer quickly steps back as if she would catch something from the dress – that reminds me I must update my sales technique to say this outfit has been carefully selected and made from beautiful vintage woollen trousers.

Lizzie pops in

2008-07-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

Lizzie came into visit me in store today – she told me she had just joined a local fitness club as has been enjoying the corporate life a little too much and needs to drop a few extra kilo’s that are being a bit stubborn to move, this time around – to stay true to her new style Lizzie purchased a light knit sweater made from deconstructing 3 old jumpers and a pair of bamboo leggings to go to and from the gym in – looking good Lizzie.

Visit handcut.com.au

handcut girl starts here

2008-06-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

hi. when I opened handcut nearly a year ago (the real-life willoughby road crows nest shop, not the online shop that's coming soon)– market research had been conducted around the store (which included me drinking many a cup of tea at local cafes) to make sure that the area had the right demographic to come shop and spend their hard earned money in my store.

My average client should have been between 18 and 30 – the 'Jennie' of this world who loved to shop, had a uni degree, understood sustainability and ate organic food [cos the research says it's better for you ] and was enjoying a rental apartment and having a holiday every year.

Over the last month we've collated, merged and purged our data base to find that Jennie has moved – we now have Elizabeth, as our target client. Beth - or Lizzie as she is known by her friends - is a woman who has children who are finishing their academic studies and is no longer needed to do the school drop offs, class parent or canteen duties.

She realizes there is more to life. There is only so much tennis to be played, lunches with friends and shopping one can do – and has decided to go back to work. So with resume in hand, Lizzie needs to create her own style. She doesn’t want to look like the receptionist or gorgeous secretary but like a fashion-thinking, environment-conscious individual. She is the new handcut girl.