Sean Ashby, who started his business from the corner of his lounge
room, is adamant to keep things local... and decidedly DIY. Not only
does his warehouse in Sydney's inner west feature a photographic
studio where Ashby personally shoots all his products, he and his
"pickers and packers" can shed 2000 orders within hours. While
many clothing manufacturers are taking production offshore to
increase profits, 42 year old Ashby says he plans to keep his
production local. And this year the internet-based company is on
target to turn over more than $20 million, and can proudly boast
stockists in London's Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, Printemps and
Galeries Lafayette in Paris, and KaDeWe in Berlin.
that is Crown Street, Darlinghurst. In the beginning, she sold
sought-after US and UK clothing imports as well as her own
collection; but it was her designs that attracted more attention...
and the Wheels and DollBaby label took off. With the label's
catchcry "clothes to snare a millionaire", star clients have included
the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Divinyls and INXS, with Michael
Jackson one of the first celebrity customers. The brands' signature
dresses, corsets, and embellished tees have found fans in Katy
Perry, Pamela Anderson and Dita Von Teese with the brand doing
big business in its Perth store, and stockists including UK, US, and
New Zealand boutiques.
things accessories by starting her own company at the age of 21.
Samantha Wills Pty Ltd now has three trading brands under its
growing umbrella and as the sole owner, the now 27 year old
Samantha's net worth is estimated at over $7 million dollars. And she
could indulge in some serious name-dropping, with her jewellery
aficionados including Nicole Richie, Pink and Jennifer Hawkins. Wills
also released an extravagant accessories line last year called
SAAROPA.