WHAT started as a dream conjured up by two friends working at Jeanswest has now been a reality for Carolyn Prockter for the past 12 years, as her clothing store Ultimate Fashion celebrates its 12th birthday today.
“I feel like it is pretty important after having the last few years that we have been through – we haven’t really been able to celebrate the last few store birthdays,” Mrs Prockter said.
“I might have a few bubbles at the end of the day.”
Mrs Prockter opened the store exactly 12 years ago today alongside Renee McCaig, with the idea of creating a store that was more focused on what customers were actually after.
“The business is based all around the customer – the customer’s needs and wants – as well as keeping up with the trends of fashion, which moves very quickly,” Mrs Prockter said.
“We listened to our customers and wanted to have things in the store that they were looking for so they didn’t have to travel out of town and they could shop locally.”
While Ms McCaig left the business earlier in the year, Mrs Prockter has maintained her passion for fashion over the past 12 years, priding herself of her ability to make the customers happy.
“I find it really rewarding to be able to dress the customer and the customer be just so thankful and appreciate that they can walk out feeling good about their outfit,” she said.
Ultimate Fashion stocks a wide range of clothing, accessories and footwear for a variety of events and activities. Mrs Prockter said she is constantly looking at new ways to increase and expand her business, acquiring some new labels of late to keep evolving to her both her loyal and new customers’ wants and needs.
“I am still getting new customers all the time that don’t realise what I actually do have in the store, that we dress lots of different ages, lots of different sizes, have casual, have dressy, have active wear – there is a lot of reasons for people just to call in,” Mrs Prockter said.
Mrs Prockter has the help of Jacki Barone and Pagan Warburton in store, whose support and loyalty she appreciates immensely.
“If I am away, these two lovely ladies will look after you,” Mrs Prockter said.
Ultimate Fashion also has an online store. While it gives customers a way to shop from the comfort of home, Mrs Prockter said it was also what helped the store get through the tough lockdown periods during COVID.
“We continue to build on the online store, as it has become the way a lot of people shop now,” she said.
And while Mrs Prockter isn’t exactly sure what the future might hold, she hopes Ultimate Fashion will continue for a few more years to come.
“Hopefully we will make 13 years, maybe 15, and who knows it could be 20,” Mrs Prockter said.
Ultimate Fashion is celebrating its 12th birthday with 20 per cent off in-store and online today and Saturday, as well as giving two customers the chance to win $150 Ultimate Fashion vouchers.
“Thank you to all my beautiful loyal customers. I hope to see you today or very soon,” Mrs Prockter said.
