AUCKLAND: More than 30 workers are now looking for work following a decision by New Zealand fashion stalwart Keith Matheson to bow out of the industry.
Matheson, who in 2007 celebrated 30 years in the industry, made the decision after a fire gutted his head office in Auckland, leading to the loss of his winter samples and three decades worth of catalogued designs.
Matheson made the decision to shut his Wellington and Christchurch stores in January but has now decided to close his remaining stores both of which are in Auckland.
Around 30 jobs have been lost as a result of the decision.
In an interview that appeared in Fairfax newspapers Matheson said his decision had "nothing to do with the recession".
"The fire knocked the stuffing out of me. I lost everything that was near or dear to me. I lost the library of the best pieces I've made over the last 30 years. It was a life-changing event and I made the decision to have an honourable closing."
Matheson's eponymous label, began as Jeanmakers in 1977 and operated stores across Australia before closing them to refocus on his New Zealand operations in 2004.
Alongside his own label, the 61-year-old's stores were complemented by a select group of imported product including John Smedley English knitwear, Passarella Death Squad T-shirts and Blumarine and Claudio Ferrici Italian bags.
All Matheson product was made in New Zealand.
It is understood the leased Auckland stores will remain open until a new tenant can be found.