Crawford's fix means career up in smoke

Drugs have been in the news lately and with model Michelle Leslie's indiscretion, the fashion industry has been dragged into the mire. Unfortunately, the trend looks set to continue with the case against Insidious Fix designer Jason Crawford.
The business that he and partner Kylee Davis fought so hard to get off the ground over the past 10 years is in danger of, quite literally, going up in smoke.
Crawford has been charged with cultivating cannabis and allowing a premises to be used for the purpose of cultivating cannabis. Police say further charges are pending. Now, it's at this point I should stress Crawford has yet to enter a plea to the charges. However, whichever way you look at it, sadly, the evidence is pretty incriminating.
When news broke the 34-year-old had been fingered for stealing power from the national grid into a building housing the Insidious Fix factory, I offered a quick "naughty boy". When I found out the stolen power had been used to fuel what police termed a "sophisticated cannabis growing operation" from the brand's Auckland headquarters, I offered a few words a damn sight choicer than that.
Here was a bloke, who as one half of one of the country's hottest design teams, seemingly had the world at his feet. And by making the choices the police allege he chose, has put not only his own future but that of his mate and all of their 17 staff, on the line.
After being rearrested for breaching bail conditions, Crawford has at least had the good grace to resign from the company, leaving Davis free to sort through this mess and hopefully resurrect what remains of the once burgeoning business.
In her only public statement since receiving the news, Davis said she was as "shocked and saddened" as anyone by the recent developments.
But in true fighting spirit, she says she remains committed to developing the business. "It's a tough time for all of us, but you are defined by how you deal with the tough times," the plucky designer was quoted as saying.
I first met Davis during the recent New Zealand Fashion Week and a nicer girl you could not meet. She was energetic, bubbly and refreshingly honest in an industry that prides itself on the secrets it keeps.
While it may have been wiser not to have shared the following with a journalist she didn't know, Davis spoke freely about the difficult time the label had endured in the label's early years. Youth, a lack of experience and a dodgy agent combined to create a caustic mix, resulting in late shipments, large debt and a reputation that would take Davis and Crawford the next seven years to overcome.
But persistence had begun to pay off. Government grants had come their way and the brand was beginning to build up a loyal Australian following.
And then Crawford saw the potential for a quick buck and succumbed.
Like me, those who have met Davis have been impressed by her honesty, her genuineness and her integrity. Not for a moment was she implicated in this horrible mess.
I am both proud and humbled by the response of stockists in my adopted country, most of whom have vowed to continue to support Davis as she attempts to navigate the minefield ahead. I can only hope stockists in my native country respond similarly.

* In other, more positive news, loyal readers will have noticed a few subtle changes being introduced to the magazine's format over recent months.
In an attempt to evolve our offering to better inform, delight and inspire you, we have diversified our product by introducing a raft of new sections and a shiny new layout to your favourite fashion business magazine.
And in the next edition, we are upping the ante even further.
Effective January 13, Ragtrader is going bigger, bolder and better than ever before.
We are adopting a new, more contemporary look, using thicker, more glossy stock and adding a host of exciting and informative new sections.
It is a look that better reflects the demands of an industry where aesthetics and style are king - and one I can't wait for you to see.
Until then I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and offer you and your loved ones all the best for a bright, prosperous (and hassle-free) 2006.