Fashion designer Trelise Cooper is the owner of a million dollar export company. Her story of success is even more remarkable because she’s never had any formal training. She listened to her instincts, followed her dreams, and taught herself about the world of fashion and business. As a result, her fashion business has grown from strength to strength.
Cooper originally set up her business because she is passionate about women having self-expression. She wanted to create a women’s space in her working and selling environment and to do what she loves, which is creating clothing. Happiness is important for Cooper, and this is what she wants when she comes to work. She believes that her clothes reflect this happiness.
In the 1980s, Cooper opened two boutique stores in Auckland and Wellington, before taking some time out in the 90s to look after her son Jasper. In 1997 she opened the first "Trelise Cooper" store in Auckland. The shop was extremely successful and Cooper became well recognised for her luxurious fabrics and feminine designs.
Since the opening of the first Trelise Cooper store, the brand has continued to grow and now Cooper has three different clothing ranges: Trelise Cooper, Cooper by Trelise, and Trelise Cooper Kids.
Cooper has also branched out into a range of fabrics and her own fragrance called "Trelise". Celebrities model her garments each year at New Zealand Fashion week and she has also held a fashion show on board the cruise ship Queen Mary 2.
Cooper has been inspired by American television host Oprah Winfrey and is very holistic in her approach to business. Genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of her staff, lighting candles, burning incense and playing music are just some of the ways Cooper aims to inspire her 75 employees. She recognises her employees’ ideas and happily considers and respects their input into business decisions.
People talk about a brand, a label, a business, but for me this is actually my life. This is what I get up and enjoy every day. I have huge challenges, but I still look forward to coming to work every day. It’s how I express myself in the world. It truly is everything I love.
Today, Trelise Cooper designs can be seen in shops all over the world, including Paris, Milan, the USA and Sydney. Her pieces are so highly admired that they are worn by celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Liv Tyler and Miley Cyrus. At any one time there are an estimated 50 000 Trelise Cooper fashion pieces in circulation.
New Zealand’s economy is greatly dependent on export earnings and Cooper’s achievement in exporting her designs offshore have been so significant that she was awarded a Trade New Zealand Export Award for creating a successful export business. Half of Cooper’s total earnings are from exports.
Well recognised in the fashion world also, Cooper’s success in helping the industry in New Zealand was officially acknowledged in 2004 when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the fashion industry.
Cooper supports numerous charities, and has a particular interest in the Breast Cancer Research Trust – appointed Patron in 2007 in recognition of her dedication and support to the Trust. She is also a big supporter of Habitat for Humanity.
Published on: 10 Apr 2015
