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MALAYSIA: Plus-sized clothing brand has a huge following

KUALA LUMPUR: Helen Read with her popular made-in-Malaysia plus-sized clothing label has managed to garner a huge following in the country. HELEN READ is no stranger to Malaysians but the lady is modest about her achievements.

Read today oversees more than 10 stand-alone Ms Read outlets and consignment counters in the country. Plans for new stores are under way.

Her foray into the textile and garment manufacturing business started with two partners in the 1970s. At the time, they were manufacturing clothes for department stores like Parkson, Isetan, Metrojaya and Jaya Jusco.

In the late 1990s, Read was presented with an opportunity to develop her very own label for Jaya Jusco. “I started out manning a small consignment counter at Jaya Jusco in Bandar Utama. This was in 1997,” she says.

Read, 53, stood outside Jaya Jusco daily for about two weeks. Her little survey revealed that most of the shoppers were about size 12. That helped her decide on venturing into the plus-sized clothing segment. She also had prior experience in manufacturing such garments. And so began a new business venture filled with challenges for the savvy businesswoman.

“My goal was not to build a business empire. My goal was survival and it was because I poured my energy into what was important to me – which was building a good life for me and my children – the business flourished,” Read said.

Ten years on, the pioneer team of Read, a designer and a merchandiser has expanded to include many more individuals, each with a specialized role.

To ensure quality and diversity in their designs, which range from casual to work wear, Read and her team make regular trips overseas to source for fabrics and seek inspiration for their designs.

As a counsellor with a church-based organisation, Read also likes helping people facing personal issues involving relationships or those in grief.

Source: Agencies • News Courtesy: BharatTextile.com