Think retail is tough? Not for this Australian icon, as it celebrates 45 years in business.
The story begins with Fella Hamilton spotting a woman wearing a terry towelling turban in a Melbourne sauna.
Inspired by the fashion item she learned had been purchased in London and nowhere to be seen in Australia, Fella, then in her 40s, embarked on creating her own line of turbans and terry towelling clothing.
Today the range extends to a full womenswear offer that celebrates its 45 year milestone.
Fella Hamilton is a home-grown Australian success story which continues to produce the majority of its fashion range at its Moorabbin manufacturing plant in Victoria.
The brand has 20 stores (19 retail stores and one mail order store) plus an online portal.
Two new stores have recently opened in Sydney – one in Mona Vale and the other in Castlecrag.
Son and business director David Hamilton said this is a significant milestone for the business.
"We’ve shaped our success dressing women with quality garments, providing superior customer service and creating a brand that has endured the ups and downs of a drastically changing retail market."
The Fella Hamilton business is now run by David and his wife, Sharon, who anticipates the family succession will continue with their own children already showing a keen interest in learning more.
Their 20 year old daughter works part-time at Fella Hamilton and is studying a fashion design/merchandising course at RMIT Brunswick and their 17 year old son has aspirations to take over his Dad’s position as Director some day.
Fella Hamilton has an in-house designer who draws inspiration from the catwalks of London, Barcelona, Paris and New York.
The brand recently extended its range into sleepwear and provides its own in-house alteration service.
Fella Hamilton opened its first retail store in Hawthorn and its store manager, Janice, is still managing this store 27 years later.