Not many Kiwi labels can still proudly say 100% made in New Zealand, but Rouge is one of those that can boast a womanswear collection that is designed and made locally in NZ.
 
If you haven yet come across Rouge we’d describe it as a sophisticated streetwear label focusing on everyday essentials infused with fun high-end, boutique pieces. Beautiful and easy to wear!
 
Designer, Jonelle Tumaru, says that Rouge was created in 2001, when they saw a need for a high quality, New Zealand made clothing for the 25 - 40 age group.  “At the time, there was plenty of young streetwear and high fashion, but not much in between,” she says. “We try to focus on pieces that won't date and that women can wear season after season, rather than short lived fashion trends.”
 
Jonelle was the 1998 and 2000 national winner of the Smirnoff Fashion Awards and was the sportswear section winner in the 1998 Dupont Lycra Fashion Awards. She has competed in both Germany and New York for international finals and has also won various awards in the Fibre and Fleece and Hawkes Bay Artwear Awards.
 
Rouge is also a successful collaboration between a cutting edge designer and a company committed to keeping it New Zealand made when so many other companies have taken their operations off shore.
 
In 2005, Ball Agencies took over the label, retaining Jonelle as the designer and the company has since grown the distribution to 65 retailers throughout New Zealand.  By manufacturing in New Zealand, they support six contract factories, two independent cutting rooms and various independent pattern makers, graders and sample machinists.
 
Ball Agencies is committed to producing the collections in New Zealand and is focussed on growing the export so Rouge will become a global fashion brand.  Shannon Hollis of Ball Agencies says “We are one of the few companies left designing and manufacturing in New Zealand and we very proud to be doing so. We are keeping it here in NZ to support the factories that manufacture high quality fashion and this makes Rouge what it is.  High quality garments designed and made here in NZ. We want something special like Rouge to be able to sink our creative teeth into and with the support of our amazing retailers continue to make Rouge a success.

Anna Jobbz