The Murrumburrah Signal reported on the 7th of November 1946 that Mr. F Lindsay, proprietor of Fashioncraft Clothing Factory, Harden intends to build a clothing factory (when building materials and labour were available). The building cost will be around £2,000 but it was proposed to have air conditioning, and natural lighting throughout. Amenities proposed included hot and cold showers, canteen, dining room, first aid and rest rooms. The building was situated at 31 Neill Street Harden.
Readers would remember this building as the original Paragon Café, former site of Murphy’s Dry Cleaners and later known as the TAB. The articles are designed, cut and made up on the premises. Mr Lindsay was the cutter. Mr Lindsay reported that the factory was in direct contact with Fairchild Publicity in America which was one of the leading fashion news agencies in the world.
The clothing included house-coats, frocks and colony slacks. About fifteen girls were employed in 1946 twelve girls on machines and three as finishers. Mr. Lindsay conducted technical classes at the factory every Thursday night at no charge. The course was over seven months and at the end if the girl is up to standard, came out as a dress-designer and dressmaker.
The girls had the opportunity to learn all aspects of dress-making, designing, cutting, making-up, pattern-making, button and buckle making, embroidery and other details. The course was over seven months to complete and at the end of that time, each girl, if up to standard, came out a dress-designer and dress-maker. Each girl could complete a dress-draft in less than 20 minutes.
Before Mr Lindsay came to Harden he conducted a dress-making academy in Sydney, and he had a dress salon in King Street Sydney. (Murrumburrah Signal 7 November 1946)
The Fashioncraft Clothing Factory commenced a 40 hour week in November. Working 8 am to 5 pm – no Saturday work. The staff were given a bonus at the end of the first week.
In 1947 Mr Lindsay was looking for a suitable site for another factory in Yass.
In September 1947 a branch of Fashioncraft Harden was to open in Mr J J Cusack’s premises opposite the Municipal Council Chambers.
The Sydney Morning Herald advertisement featured 24 March 1950 declared that Fashioncraft Dress Creations, Harden were looking for distributing agents. By May 1950, that Fashioncraft Dress Creations was now in Lithgow occupying the former Berlei Building and then relocated to 28-34 Main Street Lithgow in 1953 (Rail-way Institute Building) when Berlei reopened in their former premises. Also, in 1950 advertisements started about Fashioncraft Dry Cleaning business located in Harden main shopping centre.
Advertising for a Dry Cleaner and Presser to take full charge of the small factory to work at 4 ½ day week at the rate of £10 per week. Clearly the dry cleaning business was situated in the same building as the clothing factory.
When did Fashioncraft close its doors in Harden? No formal notice was given in the local newspaper but Carr’s Clothing Factory was closed by 1960 so it can be assumed that it was about the same time given restrictions on imports of fabric would have effected Fashioncraft too.
Fashioncraft Dress Creations (Lithgow) Pty Ltd were in liquidation in June 1972 – GG NSW 12 May 1972
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