Congratulations Catriona Dolphin

Catriona Dolphin receiving her certificate for the completion of The Sales Edge course.

Catriona Dolphin receiving her certificate for the completion of The Sales Edge course.

Making things better is one of our core commitments, and at Textile House our culture for continuous improvement begins with ourselves. Catriona has been with the company for over 10 years and recently her product and brand management role has expand to include a greater involvement in sales. As part of Catriona’s career development, Textile House has supported her in completing The Sales Edge course at Leadership Management Australia.

“This is a fantastic achievement by Catriona. I was proud to be there when she delivered a great final presentation. Catriona has put a great deal of work and commitment into completing the course and stretched herself well beyond her comfort zone. This is a great example of the company investing in its people, and a home team member grabbing the opportunity with both hands to make a difference.” – Stuart Revill, CEO

A Message From The CEO

Gondwana Ambassadors and Team

Gondwana Outdoor Addicts and Team: Jean Cheney, James Walker, Kristan Fischer, Tim Addicoat, Nicole Tattersall, and Teddi Threatt.
Photo: P1xels

At Textile House, we place a big emphasis on our company values. Passion, success, teamwork, respect, integrity and fun are the fundamentals of our everyday life. This is what makes us, drives us and ensures we deliver great brands year in and year out. It is through our values that we make a commitment to making things better and to do this we embrace change.

We place a great importance on the company we keep. Those who share our journey – our employees, partners, and customers, all of whom are great company and matter to us. Our philosophy is focused on flexibility, openness, honesty and a partnership approach.

I want to take this moment to thank you for your support and the passion you have for our brands. With your support we’ve made a great number of changes in 2015:

  •  Continuing the development of our www.Textile-House.com.au company website.
  • Developing digital resources so you can have access to what you need at your finger tips.
  • Engaging in a range of activities across our supply chain to promote fair labour practices and ensuring good corporate responsibility.
  • Developing partnerships within the community that align with our mission and values.
  • Growing our team of brand ambassadors from all backgrounds, and supporting them to achieve great things.
  • Building and developing a Home Team of staff from all walks of life.

I now look forward into 2016 and further into the future, and am excited about what we can achieve together. Thank you for your support.

Kind regards,
Stuart Revill
CEO

Victorian Outdoors Community Welcomes Camping Fees Reduction

Victorian outdoors community welcomes camping fees reduction

Recently leaders of Victoria’s outdoor community and industry bodies warmly welcomed the announcement by Hon. Lisa Neville, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, to reduce fees at 47 campgrounds across the state of Victoria from $38.90 to $28 per site.

The announcement comes on the back of a decision earlier this year to remove fees from campgrounds offering only basic amenities.

Chuck Berger, CEO of Outdoors Victoria, said “This is great news for holiday campers. But just as importantly, its good economic and social policy. Cost can be a real barrier for families and school groups getting in to our parks. When people do go camping, we know that they spend money in regional Victoria on gear, food, transport and other expenditures. So by making it easier for people to enjoy our parks, we’re getting more economic activity into regional Victoria.”

“Regional stockist are a key resource for adventurous families. They are a hub for all of those things that are needed when an adventure takes an unexpected turn. The weather can turn at a moment’s notice, or a key requirement to set up camp is lost or forgotten – that’s when the local outdoor store comes into its own. Couple that with local knowledge and advise and you have the perfect resource for those on the go. The reduction of camping fees is a great way to generate the economy in regional areas, to encourage more families to step out into the real world, and experience the great outdoors.” Says Catriona Dolphin, Head of Product and Brands at Textile House, re-iterating the statement made by Chuck Berger.

Pete Griffiths, CEO of the Australian Camps Association, said, “There is no doubt about the benefits of enjoying our great outdoors, and at a time where holiday costs can be a significant factor for families, it is fantastic news to hear that these fees are being reduced. The Australian Camps Association welcomes this announcement and looks forward to seeing more people outdoors more often this holiday season.”

To ensure that an enjoyable time is had in our great outdoors by all family members, Liana Mattia, Product Development Team Leader at Textile House suggests that you layer up. “With the right gear, adventures can be endless. Layering your clothing is the key when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors. Having a good base layer, mid layer and outer shell will ensure you are not only protected from the elements, but also are comfortable. Layering is not only restricted to winter activities, you can use this technique during the summer months too. ”

Outdoors Victoria and the Australian Camps Association are both seeking a substantial increase in funding to support our parks in next year’s budget, to ensure our parks are accessible, high quality and good drivers for regional economies. As a supporter of the Australian Camps Association the team at Textile House wishes them all the best in achieving greater funding.

5 Years, 5 Questions with Liana Mattia, Product Development Team Leader

Liana Mattia, Product Development Team Leader

Liana Mattia, Product Development Team Leader

Liana Mattia, Product Development Team Leader at Textile House, is celebrating five years with the company. Reflecting on her time at Textile House so far, Liana answers five questions from Nicole Tattersall, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator,  about finding a work-life balance, what inspires her, and her role.

Q. To date what has been one of your biggest achievements whilst at Textile House?
A. Each season as the new ranges are developed, you feel like you’re in competition not only with other brands, but also with yourself. Due to this I think one of my biggest achievements has to do with having a hand in improving the ranges with every year that goes by. This has been done with the help of the great team around me that challenge each other and strives for successful product.

Q. At Textile House we believe in finding balance, and are real people doing real things. What do you do to ensure balance in your life?
A. Balance in my life is gained by focusing on what’s important, for me this is largely family.  Spending time with the people I love is what makes me happiest and keeps me grounded no matter how busy I may be.
I also really enjoy cooking!  Unlike many, I find cooking incredibly calming. As one of the regular cooks in the Textile House team, it’s not uncommon to find freshly baked goods in our staff kitchen for all to share.

Q. Describe your role as Product Development Team Leader in three words.
A. Exciting. Innovative. Eventful.

Q. What changes do you see in the near future in the outdoor clothing industry?
A. The main change I see is a higher expectation from our customers. This comes as functional outerwear becomes less ‘adventure clothing’ and more ‘every day clothing’. Previously, aesthetics were second to function, however this is no longer the case. Now both of these aspects have equal weighting which allows us to create product that is much more fashion forward, whilst drawing from our technical background to ensure it functions beyond expectation.

Q. What’s an inspirational quote you live by? Why?
A.” A champion team will always beat a team of champions”. If you surround yourself with fantastic people and work as a team, anything is possible!

Our Melbourne Office Is On The Move

Textile House moving to Collingwood

After many years at our Kensington address, Textile House is moving to a great new location.

As of the 20th of November Textile House will call the suburb of Collingwood, a creative culture hub, home.

The new address for the Textile House Melbourne office and showroom is:

Unit 203  25 Gipps St
COLLINGWOOD   VIC   3066
AUSTRALIA

10 Years, 10 Questions with Catriona Dolphin, Head of Product and Brands

10 years, 10 Questions with Catriona Dolphin, Head of Product and Brands

Catriona Dolphin, Head of Product and Brands

Catriona Dolphin, Head of Product and Brands at Textile House, is celebrating ten years with the company. On theme with all things ten, Catriona answers ten questions from Nicole Tattersall, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator,  about changes that have occurred within the past decade, career advice, and the future of the outdoor apparel industry.

Q. What have you enjoyed most about working at Textile House?
A. The people I work with is what I love most about Textile House. They are a smart, funny, hardworking bunch of good people, who I simply love working with.

Q. Over the 10 years you’ve been at Textile House what has been the biggest change you’ve seen in the outdoor clothing industry?
A. There have been a lot of changes over the last 10 years. The industry has grown as technical developments have evolved. Wearer comfort and protection became more of a focus. These benefits are now normalised and now consumer expectations are around looking fashionable too, whereas ten years ago if  your apparel wasn’t Navy or Stone – then it wasn’t outdoor apparel.

Q. During your time at Textile House, what has been one of the biggest changes within the company?
A. Our culture of continuous improvement has meant that there has been a lot of change since I started with Textile House. Appointing Stuart Revill as CEO is one of the biggest changes that has had the biggest impact on the company in my time. He is leading the company with a strong eye on our company goals and future growth.

Q. To date what has been one of your biggest achievements whilst at Textile House?
A. Hiring the right people and building a dynamic team of talented individuals is always one of the hardest things to do and right now I think that this is what we have in the Product / Brand area. I am proud to work alongside them.

Q. What inspires and motivates you in your work?
A. The people I work with inspire and motivate me. They are passionate about what they do – that’s motivating and inspiring!

Q.  At Textile House we believe in finding balance, and are real people doing real things. What do you do to ensure balance in your life?
A. I make time and commit to activities that are good for my mind and body, outside of work. Spending time with my family is always the most important thing for me, but I also have plenty of creative interests like photography and painting that keep the creative side of my brain active. I also like to hike and explore (usually with my camera) and go to the gym 2 to 3 times a week to ensure that I stay fit.

Q. If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when you first started at Textile House what would it be?
A. Technical apparel is fascinating. There is so much more to this category than just how it looks – it needs to perform. Knowing this from design to end use function is what it is all about. Once you are in that loop no other apparel category is quite as interesting.

Q. Describe your role as Products and Brands Manager in three words.
A. Exciting. Demanding. Creative.

Q. What changes do you see in the near future in the outdoor clothing industry?
A. More and more we are seeing the gap between fashion and functional wear closing. Technical and functional clothing provides levels of comfort to consumers that are changing the expectations of how people want their apparel to perform. But consumers don’t just want to be comfortable, they want to look fashionable as well.  So this expectation is forcing the fashion and functional markets to collide. This means that the industry is going through some exciting changes. We are embracing this shift and have some exciting things in the pipeline.

Q. What’s an inspirational quote you live by? Why?
A. Improvise, adapt and overcome. If you know me, then you know this quote. It’s one I use all the time. I like it because it doesn’t let the challenges of change get the better of me – It reminds me to  just roll with it, flex and find a way through.

Adventurous And Creative Women In Our Ranks

Nicole Tattersall shot by P1xels

Nicole Tattersall shot by P1xels

Nicole Tattersall shot by P1xels

Nicole Tattersall shot by P1xels

We’ve some very adventurous and creative women in our ranks. P1xels who recently photographed our Gondwana Outdoor Addicts out and about, and Nicole Tattersall our Marketing and Social Media Coordinator, will have their work on display as part of the  inaugural CURVY Creative Women’s Conference presented by aMBUSH Gallery, Central Park The Living Mall and CURVY.

The event is a multimedia celebration of boundary breaking women in the creative sphere, featuring an exhibition, special events and panel discussions. Offering an inspiration academy with some of Australia’s most influential creative women from the

The conference (4th – 5th of September) presents 16 panelists including Naomi Shepherd (Facebook and Instagram Australia), Katie Rigg-Smith (CEO of MindShare), Jess Scully (Founding Director and Curator of Vivid Ideas), Elle Glass (Managing Editor of RUSSH Magazine) among many others, each presenting their unique, female perspective on the trends taking shape across creative industries.

The exhibition (3rd – 15th of September) is rife with household names in art and design: Gemma O’Brien, Kaff-eine, Bei Badgirl, Autumn Whitehurst, Nanami Cowdroy, Elke Kramer, Elle Glass, Mel Stringer, Bec Winnel, Sylvia Ji, Yuko Shimizu, Cat Wall, George Rose, Vanessa Zuppicich, Christie Poulos, and our very own P1xels and Nicole Tattersall.

For more information please visit www.curvy-world.com.

We Had A Fab Time At The FAB Event

    Shannon, Lauren, Catriona, Nicole, Stuart, and Mark representing Textile House at the FAB Event.

Shannon, Lauren, Catriona, Nicole, Stuart, and Mark representing Textile House at the FAB Event.

With great success we showcased what we have in store for Winter 16 across our four brands; Rainbird, Gondwana, Kaos, and Rainbird Workwear at the FAB Event in Melbourne. It was also the first time that we showed the new re-branding for Rainbird, with subtle changes to the logo, and the change of tagline to “love the elements”.

At Textile House we value; passion, success, teamwork, respect, integrity, and fun. We want to thank everyone who made our presence at the FAB Event a success, thank you to the team at Front Line for hosting a fantastic industry event, the retailers who took the time to step on to our stand, and our suppliers who made it all possible.

If you didn’t get the opportunity to see us at the FAB Event please contact our sales team and we can arrange a time for you to see us or us to see you, to show you through our Winter 16 ranges and the new re-branding for Rainbird. Contact us today to make a time.