When you buy a pair of Imprint tights this is the story you become part of...

What is Imprint all about?

"Imprint - to leave an impression"
This is my constant challenge to keep creating designs that are unique, eye catching and leave an impression. I am passionate about New Zealand made and this sets Imprint apart from other mass produced imported hosiery brands. Every single pair of Imprint tights or socks is printed by hand and you will struggle to find in New Zealand any other hosiery brand that pours that much love into their products.

As a business owner I am dedicated to building good honest relationships with my stockists and providing the best services and consistent quality of products. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to build a career out of my passion for design and printing. My success is attributed much to the support of her family. Without my husband, Aaron, none of this would be possible. I am grateful for his love, encouragement and support. I feel blessed to have inherited my father's fantastic creative ability and my mother's business acumen.

Designer History:

Carla Watson trained at Christchurch Polytechnic School of Art and Design 2000-2002. She completed a Bachelor of Design in Craft Art, majoring in textile printing. During her 3 years of study she spent a lot of time at the Christchurch School of Fashion and has always had a passion for this industry.

In 2002 she had a successful entry in the New Zealand Wearable Art Awards in the Open Section. Also in 2002 Carla worked with design label 'Tango' on a printed fabric design, which was purchased and used extensively in their 2003 'Bonnie & Clyde' winter collection. Carla has been passing on her passion for screen printing to many others in the Canterbury area. She teaches screen print workshops 10 weekends a year and tutors a night class at Christchurch Polytechnic.

"Being able to pass on what I'm passionate about to others is so rewarding...helping people unlock hidden creative talent is such a buzz."

Business History:

In 2003 Carla set-up a printing studio and birthed her textile printing company 'Imprint'. A printing technique was developed that enabled her to print onto hosiery products. Imprint's first collection of printed hosiery was released in 2003 with 2 abstract netting designs sold in a couple of Christchurch stores. 2004 bought a new collection with 7 exciting design. Imprint introduced several new services to the business:

1. Offering printed hosiery as a package to fashion designers
2. Specialty screen-printing services for those in the fashion industry.

Every year the collections would grow, with new products introduced and bigger risks were taken on bold colours and edgy prints. The number of New Zealand stockists grew in 5 year from 2 stores to well over 50.

2008 has been a big change as quantity volumes went through the roof and Carla was no longer able to do it all on her own and staff were employed to help out over the busy months.

Looking to the future; plans are underway for a vintage flavor for Imprint's 2009 designs, and it is all very exciting. Watch this space!

"It's been a really interesting ride so far, full of surprises, set-backs and challenges. As a designer I'm working hard to keep the creative juices flowing and as a business woman I have had to learn fast. Working with New Zealand fashion designers has been such a wonderful experience. Following my passion and being able to do this every day is a dream come true. I am excited about what the future holds for Imprint."

Her Business Magazine - September Issue 2007

her insight

Textile designer and printer, Carla Watson, is making an impression in the fashion industry. Following a successful entry in the New Zealand Wearable Art Awards - Open Section, Carla worked with fashion label Tango on a printed fabric design, which they used extensively in their Bonnie & Clyde collection.

Encouraged by her success with Tango, Carla started her own textile design company, Imprint, in 2003. The printing technique she developed enabled her to print on to hosiery, but she found that taking an idea from the design and development process through to the finished product presented many challenges. "Experimenting with different printing inks that would wash and wear well on nylon stockings, even right through to printing on to fishnets, which are 90% holes, took detective work," explains Carla. She persevered and released her first collection of printed hosiery which displayed two different abstract netting designs.

Carla then pitched her hosiery and screen-printing services to New Zealand fashion designers, who specialised in unusual fabrics and small print runs. "Textile printing and fashion go hand-in-hand and there are endless possibilities: printing on to garments, fabrics, accessories, bags, belts, hats, scarves, underwear, the list goes on," she says. "Imprint is able to print on to a range of fabrics such as cotton, polyester, nylon, leather and wool etc."

Some of the notable designers who have used Carla’s hosiery processes are Stella Gregg, Caroline Church, Laurie Foon of Starfish, Caroline Moore, Barbara Lee and High Society. She says she got a thrill every time a model strutted the catwalk wearing her hosiery designs during the New Zealand Fashion Week.

Imprint makes to order, with a 2 - 3 week turn-around period for delivery. Carla chose to source her hosiery stock from a New Zealand made supplier, which means the quality is consistently high. "We could look at sourcing hosiery stock off-shore but quality control would be a lot harder to guarantee. Imprint prides itself in having a completely New Zealand made product."

Carla says it was scary putting a new product out into the fashion industry, and the initial breakthrough came when stores expressed interest in her designs and began stocking Imprint products. "The buyers really loved what I was doing. Their favourable comments and willingness to stock my products were the kick start I needed to get Imprint really up and running."

As the business expanded, she found time-management and planning skills a key to Imprint’s continued success. "I needed to plan ahead. This kept me on track and kept the business moving forward." Carla also says it is important to never stop learning. She attends business training workshops and surrounds herself with people who are passionate about business in her industry.

She also acknowledges the importance of relationships, business ethics and networking. "Once a year, I visit the bulk of Imprint stockists to keep in contact with them and get to know new ones. For me it is important to have good communication and an open and honest relationship with my customers and stockists." Carla believes that treating people in business with respect and honesty makes a difference to her business dealings. "By being upfront, misunderstandings are sorted straight away, and business-to-business relationships are much more pleasant."

Carla feels incredibly fortunate that she is able to make a career from her passion for design. She attributes much of her success to the support of her family. "Without my husband, Aaron, none of this would be possible. I am grateful for his love, encouragement and support. I feel very lucky to have inherited my father’s fantastic creative ability and my mother’s business acumen."

During the five years since Carla started Imprint, the business has gone from having three stockists to now providing stock for 48 stores nationwide. In her first collection in 2003, she had two designs, one hosiery product and four colour choices. Imprint now offers three separate hosiery collections that are comprised of nearly 20 printed designs in over 30 colour choices. Her collection includes a themed fashion range ‘Body Art’, and a selection of Maori-inspired designs. This year, she introduced her Children’s Collection, which includes tights for babies and toddlers. She also has a range of printed socks for men.

Carla is looking to export her designs, first to Australia and then further a field. She says the idea of exporting is a bit scary, but she understands that if Imprint is to continue to grow, this is the next track that she must head down.

By Kathryn Taylor

American Express Canterbury Fashion 2004 Collections & Awards

"The Canterbury Fashion Event of the Year!"

A fundraiser for Variety The Children's Charity.

Thursday 4th November 2004 Christchurch Art Gallery.

We showcased 3 of our hosiery designs in this fashion event, it was our first ever fashion show, what a success and heaps of fun. Mixing back stage with Canterbury's top fashion designers was a real buzz. Having our products in a show like this helps us cement our place in the Canterbury fashion scene. Roll on 2005 and we are sure to do it again, this time bigger and better with lots of 'WOW' leg wear!