Normally, now would be one of the busiest periods for the Canberra fashion industry, with formals, spring weddings, and race carnivals to dress for.
With all the above up in the air as lockdown restrictions fluctuate, small fashion boutiques, like Momento Dezigns in Manuka, carefully thread through the many challenges the pandemic presents.
Owner Roslyn Wright and her Momento girls have been dressing up their windows in amazing displays to signal their online presence, Frockaholics.com, to passing coffee-goers since the lockdown began, as a means of adapting.
“Click and collect coming into play mid-lockdown was helpful,” said Ms Wright, “though ideally clothing must be seen, felt and tried on before purchasing.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we, like everyone, are struggling to get back on more solid ground. The clothing industry is governed by the seasons and fashion trends; it cannot sit endlessly on racks.”
Ms Wright said that while she understands that throughout the pandemic, the ACT Government has had to make tough decisions for the “greater good,” the announcement of the Roadmap to Recovery left many small businesses seemingly by the wayside.
“Finally, with the help of our Local Members and Small Business Council, we were granted approval for one-on-one appointments in line with other ‘relaxations’,” Ms Wright said.
She reported that before one-on-one appointments, the cluster of boutiques at Manuka precinct had been “turning up every day to just do their best” with the support of clients and L’Orange Patisserie next door, who provided neighbours comfort by means of coffee and sustenance.
As of Friday 15 October, Momento Dezigns has begun offering appointments for one-on-one shopping sessions, and has fast tracked the latest styles for future clients.
“We got the word out quickly and so far, it has been quite effective,” said Ms Wright. “We hope to continue the appointment-based shopping as much as possible, and to implement crowd control throughout the store’s opening hours to ensure that capacity restrictions are met.”
She encourages clients to book appointments well ahead of time.
Local boutiques like Momento Dezigns may be the ideal solution for those who will be grasping for formal attire the moment lockdown lifts.
“Boutiques like ours love to take the time to style clients and help them find their perfect dress,” said Ms Wright. “This is not easy to do online with the current postage turnaround. If whilst finding your perfect dress, you in turn support the local shops, I think that is a win for everybody.”
Her key message for customers to keep in mind throughout the reopening of local businesses is to be mindful that pandemic restrictions still continue.
“Although Canberra’s vaccine take up has been very good, until we see the other side of the pandemic, please continue to check in with the CBR app, and sanitise when entering the store … Be aware of your own health and that of others.”
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