Warwick Jones has taken the decision to retire, at age 79, from a career spanning over sixty years, in the clothing, manufacturing and fashion industry! He began his working life and career at age 15, when he worked for a clothing company in Flinders Lane, Melbourne which, during the 50’s and 60’s of last century, was the manufacturing and clothing hub of Melbourne. The company that started it all for Warwick was Wallace Dux & Goodes, who sold knitwear. He then moved on – up just a flight of stairs, as it turned out – to Morris Woollen Mills, whose head office was located in Ipswich, Queensland. Warwick worked there for two years.
At age 16 Warwick’s ‘boss’ told him that he could “go out and sell for half a day each week” … where he earnt the grand sum of $5.35!! Warwick sold fabric for two years with the company Martin & Savage. He was then offered a position with Anne Stokes who, at the time, was an up-and-coming fashion designer working with two extremely talented and well-known Australian fashion designers – Norma Tullo and Prue Acton. Warwick was aged just 19/20 at this time.
Warwick was then offered a job working for the son of Sonny Beirman and his wife, who were partners at the time with Portman Stores. He then sold fabrics for Ishwood & Dreyfull, before being offered a job with Madison Fashions, who were at the time suppliers to Target stores. In this position Warwick is credited with introducing a younger fashion look through the buyer who purchased for Myer Miss Shop at the time. This perhaps was the ‘push’ Warwick needed because this led to him working for Len Vogue, who was a large manufacturer doing a lot of business with Sportsgirl and the Myer Miss Shops. This led to Warwick, as part of his job, visiting some of Australia’s largest department stores such as Myer, Harris Scarfe, John Martins in South Australia, and the Witchery buying office in Sydney.
Following a time in this position, Warwick then worked for Givoni in Sandringham, which he really enjoyed! “A great company” were his words! Givoni manufactured their own fabric, and had their own dye house and quilting machinery; and did their own manufacturing in Bay Road, Sandringham – an area now filled with many high rise apartments!
Warwick then took the step of going into partnership with Freda McDermott, who owned the business ‘Carousel’ in Frankston, and who also had a retail shop in Elsternwick. This then led to Warwick starting his own manufacturing and wholesale business in a one-bedroom size room in Frankston! This move was the beginning of Warwick spending several years in the wholesale manufacturing industry, which he shared with a business partner and, when this partnership finished, Warwick then moved to wholesaling on his own for a few years, which included five retail stores located at Beaumaris, Mentone, Warragul, Mornington and Bentleigh, each store aptly named “Warwick Jones”!
Warwick’s partner Debbie did all the merchandising in each of the stores, but when Debbie became sick and required some extensive surgery, Warwick made the decision to sell his retail stores.
However, that is not the end of Warwick’s story or career! He then became a fashion agent, which he has been doing for the last fifteen years of his working life! In particular, Warwick has been a fashion agent for a label in Sydney, and in more recent years, Rileston Pty. Ltd. located in Brisbane, which he has really enjoyed! A great way perhaps to complete one’s incredible career!
To complete Warwick’s story, when he first married he lived in North Brighton, and over his adult years has lived in Black Rock, Mornington, and he and Debbie currently reside in Oliver’s Hill (Frankston South).
Warwick played football for around 17 years … a sport he truly loves! He was involved at Frankston VFL; then became involved with the Frankston Football Club – for well over 30 years now – a club in which he is still involved and loves being a part of – previously serving as President of the Club for seven years! There’s nothing he enjoys more than catching up with some of his friends from the Club, which he does on a regular basis, and sharing a couple of beers!
Warwick: We say ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’ for your service to the clothing, manufacturing and fashion industry over sixty plus years! ‘Thank you’ for your service to your community, and in particular to the Frankston Football Club, and ‘thank you’ for your investment in the lives of all those people – family and friends – who are part of your life and your story. and with whom you share life, love and friendship! We trust you will now fully enjoy your retirement with the satisfaction that you have left an extraordinary mark on an amazing industry, and the lives of many people. Go well …”
