Entrepreneur: Clare Sheng
Claire Sheng. Clare is the award-winning owner of The Fitting Room on Edward, The Modern Gentry and author of The Suit Book - Everything You Need to Know About Wearing a Suit. A second-generation family business, The Fitting Room has been providing premium clothing alterations and custom tailoring for over 23 years. After a short career as a pharmacist, Clare left her profession to take over the family business. She has since grown The Fitting Room into Queensland's largest alterations provider with clients all over Australia.
At The Fitting Room, her team styles and alters more than 50,000 suits and 300 wedding dresses each year. After working 10,000s of clients, she has discovered the link between confidence and dressing well.
In 2017, she won the Lord Mayor's multicultural Young Business Person Award, Small Business Champion Award in Fashion, and a special mention in the Lord Mayor's Business Innovation Award.
In 2019, Clare took to the stage at City Hall to perform at Dancing CEOs in front of 1,000 people, and raised over $21,000 for Women's Legal Service.
Growing up, who/what inspired your career?
I did not have much ambition while growing up. My goal was just stability and safety. My dream job was a secretary so I can help organise things, or an astronomer to study the stars.
What was your first job in the industry?
I have been working in the family business since I was 14. I have been washing cups, buying coffee, doing deliveries and handing out leaflets on the street. I didn’t enjoy it at the time, but found I liked being in the family business as an adult.
Tell us about your experiences working with family?
There has been a lot of ups and downs. My mum and I are polar opposites, she is creative and I’m practical. It works out well in the end but there have been many times when we disagreed on things. Eventually we figured out how to understand each other’s strengths and play to that.
What are some of the challenges you have faced during your career?
Racism, sexism, elitism. Working in a service industry, not everyone treats you equally. I have also found a lot of my challenges are in my self-belief. Once I got over that, I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me.
What are three essential skills every fashion tailor should have?
Business skills. I think it’s crucial to understand what the client want is the most important thing. To be successful in business, you have to cater to the public’s demand, and where there is a gap in the market.
Why do you see yourself as an entrepreneur?
As I work in business more and more over the years, I find myself passionate about business. There is so much to explore, learn, and implement. I don’t think I’m a true entrepreneur because I have a low risk appetite, but I like growing and scaling a business.
You also have a focus on sustainability, how are you working to counter the effects of fashion production on the environment?
We are educating clients on the importance of buying better garments, look after them, and make them last. You always feel better about yourself if you are wearing higher quality, well-fitting clothing. Fast fashion doesn’t look polished and ends up costing you more in the end.
Do you think formal education or work experience are more important for starting out a career in fashion?
Work, Life and Business experience. Fashion is a business like any other, you must understand your niche, and your point of difference. Who is your ideal customer?
If you weren’t working in fashion, what other career would you like to pursue?
A professional crafter? If only I am talented enough to make money in that.
Tell us a fashion fact?
Fashion production is the second biggest industry responsible for water pollution. Fast fashion is killing the earth.
Franc’s Fast Five
Favourite subject in school? Maths
Secret skill (that is now no longer a secret?) Knitting
Hobby? Knitting and reading
Comfort food? Peanut butter with a spoon
What are you watching at the moment? I just finished Schmicago. I love musicals.