Maureen Taylor said her partner Ross Andrews coaxed her into returning home to Dunedin from Melbourne to open a dressmaking shop in Moray Pl about three years ago.
''He said `You can do it, Maureen, I believe in you. You're a wonderful sewer.'''He was amazing and has been behind me all the way ... I'm glad I did, as it's going very well.''
Ms Taylor completed a dressmaking apprenticeship in Dunedin about 40 years ago and had been working as a dressmaker in Melbourne.
Business had been so good in Dunedin she would open a second shop in George St, Port Chalmers, today, she said. She employed another staff member at Christmas and a fashion parade would be held in the Port Chalmers shop on Friday .
''I only make one-off and when I've made it, nothing will get made in that fabric again: one dress, one fabric.''
The demand for made to measure clothing was high in Dunedin, she said.
''There is a lot of sewing to be done and a lot of people want something different because they see it all in the shops and it's all the same.
''Older people especially - they can't find what they want - they love to get a dress made to fit them.''
The most memorable dress she had made in Dunedin was lime green for a Dunedin model to take to Hollywood.
The fitting dress came down over the hips and flowed out into a train and was covered with organza pom-pom flowers.
''It was a lot of work and she looked amazing. A beautiful dress for a beautiful girl.''
