History

In 1952 Karel Adriaens migrated from the Netherlands as a wool buyer for a Dutch firm.

He then took on a job as a salesmanger for a very small clothing company called Junior Models that had solely produced Children’s Coats under the brands Junior Models and Dawnrae since 1945. In 1961 he bought the small company and began with huge risk to grow the business. In 1965 the company began producing women’s wear and a new brand plus company named Cotura Fashions Ltd was registered in 1967. The manufacturing business grew steadily with son Paul joining the company in 1975 and youngest son Guido in 1980. Many good years followed, exports began to Australia and a start occurred, as a side-line, with distribution of Australian labels in NZ.

In 2010 Paul decided to leave the company and Karel Snr retired just before the earthquakes of 2010/2011 hit Christchurch.

The first Earthquake in Sept 2010 forced the dramatic move of the business. The factory/warehouse in the city was lost but Cotura was able to restart weeks later in new smaller premises with Guido as sole owner. Karel ( the boss) still came to the office every day in support unable to relate to complete retirement till simply being unable to come in 3 days prior to his sudden passing in August 2013, sincerely missed.

The distribution business grew steadily but the making of womenswear locally became harder which regrettably meant the manufacturing side with great sadness finally closed in 2018 after 73 years and employment of hundreds of staff over that time. Cotura then moved back into the city and continues today solely as a Sales, wholesale and distribution business for Women’s, Men’s and children’s apparel with its owner Guido Adriaens supported by his wife Amanda and his 4 daughters.