HAMILTON

WOMEN IN BUSINESS
An Inspiring
Organisation In
Hamilton
Biz Hamilton recently caught with Sally Mutton, Executive Manager of
Hamilton Dress for Success- an international not-for-profit organisation
that empowers women to achieve economic independence by
providing a network of support, professional attire and the
development tools to help women thrive in work and in life:
Q – WHO STARTED DRESS FOR SUCCESS, WHEN, WHERE
AND WHY?
Our organisation’s history began in 1997, when Nancy Lublin received an inheritance
from her grandfather, Poppy Max. Nancy, an NYU law student as the time, founded
Dress for Success with the assistance of three nuns from Spanish Harlem- with the aim
of providing women with interview suits and career development training. Together
they built Dress for Success New York into a vibrant organisation that assisted women
from all the five boroughs of the city. Nancy trademarked the Dress for Success name,
built equity in the brand and then licensed it to open new affiliates from all around
the world. Currently, there are more than 140 Dress for Success affiliates in 20
countries. To date, Dress for Success as a global organisation, has helped more than
850,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.
Dress for Success Hamilton opened in June 2002, after an application to Dress for
Success Worldwide was made to become an affiliate.
Dress for Success Hamilton has assisted over 2400 clients since then.
Q- WHAT DOES DRESS FOR SUCCESS HAMILTON DO?
Our purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle
of poverty. Dress for Success is part of a global movement for change, empowering
women to obtain safer and better futures.
We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but we are
about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides physically equipping the client
with apparel and accessories, our employment retention programs furnish her with a
confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her
life, the direction she takes and what success means to her.
Gallagher Charitable Trust, Glenice
& John Gallagher Foundation,
Community Organisation Grants
Scheme.
Supporters Who have given in kind,
provided clothing collection points,
donations and more this year: DV
Bryant Trust, Lightwire, Fuji Xerox,
Manpower, Westpac, Westfield,
Caroline Eve, Centreplace.
Q- WHAT IS YOUR
MESSAGE TO BUSINESSES
LOOKING TO EMPLOY
CLIENTS OF DRESS FOR
SUCCESS HAMILTON?
Our message to employers would be the testimonials of our clients- it is awe inspiring
that we as an affiliate can help to prepare women to achieve the confidence and
courage level required to become a successful employee. (Quote provided)
“DFS SHOWED ME IN THE MIRROR
WHAT A CONFIDENT AND INSPIRING
PERSON I COULD BE...I AM FOREVER
GRATEFUL” —CHERIE SWEENEY,
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
Q- WHAT ASSISTANCE WOULD DRESS FOR SUCCESS
APPRECIATE FROM THE HAMILTON BUSINESS SECTOR?
Dress for Success Hamilton would really appreciate help in many different ways.
Donations of work appropriate clothing from sizes 8-32, accessories including makeup
and jewellery, handbags, stockings and shoes.
We are also looking for Work Place Champions- people who would like to volunteer
their time within their own workplaces to organise workplace clothing drives, gold
coin donation days and to become “all knowledgeable about Dress for Success
Hamilton” so together we can spread the word about our wonderful organisation.
We would also be grateful for any help with marketing sponsorship, with particular
need for banners and leaflets.
Q- HOW CAN PEOPLE MAKE CONTACT WITH YOU?
We are located at: Vickery House, 113 Alexander Street, Hamilton, 07 839 1147 or
Mobile 021 243 9960, Email: hamilton@dressforsuccess.org, Website: hamilton.
dressforsuccess.org
Q- WHO ARE ALL THE STAFF AT THE HAMILTON
AFFILIATE, AND WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?
Our affiliate is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising of: Natasha Harvey- Board
President; Shaenaz Azim- Treasurer; Morgan Morris- Secretary; Tina Boyd- Committee
Member; Monique Wilson- Committee Member; Kate Peterson- Committee Member;
Ailea Martin- Committee Member. Our office is staffed by Sally Mutton, Executive
Manager and Dayna Biggs, Office Coordinator.
Q- WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE SUCCESSES FOR DRESS
FOR SUCCESS HAMILTON?
Our successes come directly from our clients: when they secure interviews and or
employment and join our retention programmes. To see a client on the road to
self-sufficiency and financial independence is the ultimate success: this is due to the
passion of our Board, staff and team of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy
in helping women succeed.
Q- WHAT BUSINESSES OR ORGANISATIONS HELP/
SPONSOR/SUPPORT DRESS FOR SUCCESS?
We have the support of many wonderful Trust Funders, local and national businesses
and supporters, such as:
Funders- Norah Howell Trust, NZ Lotteries Grants, WEL Energy Trust, Trust Waikato,
6 : BIZ HAMILTON : ISSUE 1