While the scope of our offerings is broad,
sustainability is the common thread that runs through them all.
We believe hiring, repairing, repurposing, altering and making bespoke are all vital to sustainable practice.
Click on any of the above images to explore each separate offering.
βNemoβ is an old latin verb describing Nomadic movement...
β¦and our fundamental ethos is steeped in sustainability.
To us, it means keeping our precious planet spinning at its healthiest by keeping waste to a minimum by encouraging a localised circular economy through:
β’ the bespoke creation of well-crafted garments that last,
β’ mending exisiting pieces to extend their lifetime,
β’ utilising discarded fabrics to create new items, and
β’ providing an option to hire that which you may only wear once, instead of buying.
Under the Nemo umbrella are 3 distinct offerings - Nemo Workroom, Nemo Bridal & Couture, and OMEN Suit Hire, all founded with sustainable practices at their core.
Why buy when you can hire? Our range of hire garments extend from bridal gowns, bridal skirts and tops, vintage fur jackets and veils, to men's suits and mountain warm kits for the ever popular snowy mountain wedding shoot.
Learn more about our Hire range via Bridal >> Hireage
From complex alterations to a simple hem, we go the extra mile to ensure the fit & finish of your gown is perfect for your big day.
Learn more about our alterations service in Bridal >> Alterations.
If you can dream it, we can make it. Weβll help you create a gown thatβs as unique as you.
Head to Bridal >> Made 2 Measure to learn more about our bespoke gown tailoring service.
From weddings & formal occasions, to casual corporate events & meetings, weβve got the right suit for you.
Every season we deep dive into our creative back pockets and design a unique collection of gowns, all available to purchase.
View our most recent collections in Bridal >> Collections
Alterations, Hemming, Repairs, & Bespoke clothing creationβ¦ Our Workroom services Queenstownβs needs, from small one-off fixes to large ongoing commercial jobs.
Find out more about our Workroom via Services >> About Services
Offering specialised Sewing Haberdashery Supplies, Bridal Accessories, Gifts & beautiful one-off pieces to compliment any wardrobe. Find it via Shop >> Sewing Supplies & Gifts
Keep up with Nemo
Some dresses find their bride long before the wedding day arrives. For Crystal, it was the Santorini gownβ¦ a two-piece design she couldnβt stop thinking about, inspired by the forests and mountains she calls home.
Wedding dress alterations can be more complex β and costly β than you might expect. From hems with hidden layers to reworking bodices and closures, this guide breaks down the real work that goes into tailoring a garment to fit you perfectly. Whether youβre buying secondhand or just unsure what βprofessionally alteredβ really means, this is your no-fluff explainer.
Inspired by the comprehensive guide on sustainable weddings from 77 Diamonds, weβve tailored some key insights to help you create a beautiful, ethical, and zero-waste wedding.
It was important to Josephine that her wedding dress was unique and unlike any other, so when she tried on the Santorini from Our Linen Story Heritage Collection there was no question that this was the dress for her.
The gown ticked all the boxes; a one-of-a-kind flattering fit, while featuring a unique vintage textured french linen, under a beaded lace overlay. It didnβt take long before Josephine knew this was the dress she wanted to wear while walking down the aisle towards her future husband, Jake.
Karen's dream wedding dress was more than just a garment; it was a cherished vision she'd nurtured for over two decades. Inspired by Princess Diana's iconic vogue cover dress, it epitomised timeless beauty, and we were honoured to bring this clear vision to life for Karenβs special day.
In July of 2022, Lisa Boe (formerly Burroughs) paid us a visit with her upcoming March 23 wedding in mind. Having already visited a couple of bridal stores in New Zealand, she had a clear understanding of the gown shape and essential features she desired for her bespoke dress.
Georgia wanted a dress that was as special as their love-story, and after searching the whole world over, she still couldnβt find a gown that ticked all of her boxes. So, she brought back her list of inspiration, and together with the Nemo team we designed and created the dream dress for Georgiaβs dream day.
ββ¦wedding planning wasnβt all rainbows and unicorns for me. However, on the other side of the spectrum, I cherish other wonderful memories, and that includes my journey of finding the dress.β
Josie came to Nemo B&C with a dream to create a non-traditional and re-wearable bridal outfit that would be made to match her autumn wedding in Queenstown, and we had so much fun developing her vision into this beautiful & unique ensemble.
Caseyβs dream dress was one that shape-shifted through the course of her wedding day, from a classic flowing bridal gown to a playful party dress. Another fun project for Team Nemo!
There are many factors to keep in mind when purchasing an βoff-the-rackβ gown, and we hope by reading on you might learn something new, and potentially save yourself some time and /or money...
This year, in the new covid-affected World, wedding trends have been continually shifting and transforming. And so, we decided to create a range that mirrors these changes; completely stepping away from traditional white & adding a pop of earthy colour, while also being collectively transformative and naturally beautiful.
Jane brought us her mother's wedding dress that had been made out of the lace from her grandmother's dress, dreaming of continuing the tradition with her own bridal gown. β The lace was to be reinvigorated for its 3rd walk down the aisle.
Clarissa was interested in finding a look to suit her relaxed style + her budget, and our skirt & top combo (plus fur cape) did just that.
βI never thought I would be the kind of girl that would get excited about designing and creating a beautiful bespoke wedding outfit, but guess what, I was, and getting an outfit custom made was possibly one of the best decisions I made throughout our whole wedding journey.β
When Gisela brought us her mumβs vintage wedding dress we knew straight away that this was a bridal journey that needed to be shared.
We need a strong response from the textile and the appliance industries to produce better fabrics and washing machines and from governments to improve sewage treatment and support research into developing ways to reduce microfibre pollution.
Our friend and local legend, Sophie Piearcey, interviewed Nemoβs owner Trudy, and featured the conversation on her blog βNotes of a Northernerβ. They discussed sustainability, how 'Nemo' got it's name (not from the fish!), what inspires Trudy, and moreβ¦
The unique opportunity this pandemic has granted us is an abundance of time at home to clear out, tidy up and reset on many frontsβ¦
So, as the world is now coming to realise that Fast Fashion, like Fast Food, has social and environmental costs that are far reaching and nothing short of abhorrent, the fashion industry is now seeing a response.
β¦why ββNemoβ as a name? This is an old Latin verb that describes nomadic movement; and, as we like to keep updating and moving forward βNemoβ seems to capture the essence of who we are.
tried & tested
I was grateful to have the expertise of Trudy and her team after requiring alterations to a wedding dress that didnβt quite fit. The expertise, creativity and innovation of the team at Nemo resulted in the perfect dress, so perfectly pulled together and perfectly tailored for me.
Trudyβs βcan doβ approach helped fill me with confidence that her team would be able to achieve the outcome I was after for what quite frankly, I thought would be impossible to achieve. Massive thanks to Trudy and the team. A hidden wee gem in Frankton that can work magic!
Miriam Reddington - 2019
Thank you Nemo Workroom for replacing the zipper on my FAVE puffer jacket. This jacket still have plenty of years of adventure left and I was so upset when the zipper broke - I thought Iβd have to throw it away. These wonderful ladies are so friendly and their work is outstanding! Highly recommended.
Karen OβDonahoo
Awesome service. I came to see you pre-lockdown with a bridesmaid's dress that another business had been adament could not be adjusted for my slim 11-year old. You guys quickly, and without fuss, made the necessary alterations and did it for a great price. Definitely my go-to for any clothing alteration needs.
Nicole Wilkinson, Queenstown
Laura & the team were amazing. We organised one suit from Aus without any problems then they stepped up at the last minute to organise another suit for our son. Nothing was too much trouble. We landed , had a quick fitting and the suits were ready to collect the next day. Exceptional service, stylish suits and all round really nice people to deal with. Highly recommend.
Patrick Crawford, Australia
I arrived in Queenstown tired and stressed out after fruitlessly searching Wellington for a dress six weeks before my wedding, nothing was right. Then my friend convinced me to meet Trudy at Nemo. It was a Sunday but she took the time to open the shop for me specifically. Within an hour we had a basic idea nutted out and measurements taken. Over the next six weeks Elizabeth constructed my outfit. She listened to my ideas and concerns and offered constructive advice. I only wish I had gone to the team at Nemo first! Thanks Ladies!
- Rebecca Banks β April 2012
Trudy and the rest of the team at Nemo were amazing. They made it possible for me to have the wedding dress I had always dreamed of. They worked with my ideas and really understood what style I was after. The service they provide is fantastic and the team are so friendly; they really know how to make you feel special. I love my dress!
- Jade Bedingfeild
I threw so many ideas at Trudy and the girls. I wanted a standout dressβ¦something that had not been done before. I was definitely steered in the right direction when I was possibly getting to wild! But in the end I believe we created the most magical dress in the world. Then after nearly dying of food poisoning a week out from the wedding, thus having to forfeit one of my last dress fittings, Trudy travelled to me in Invercargill which was a huge mission for her, so I would definitely give Nemo a 10/10 .
- Kelly White, Invercargill / Queenstown
Trudy was amazing in the first appointment. Very professional and she has so much knowledge, so I was very confident in having Nemo make my dress. Kristen then took over and did an incredible job! Throughout the whole process (including about four fittings), everything was perfect and beautifully done. I had a vision in my mind of the dress and the features I wanted, and Kristen totally understood what I wanted then put it all together and made it beautiful! I could not have wished for any better!
- Emma Watson, Queenstown
I think everyone should know how amazing Nemo is and have no doubt that they are in the very best hands when deciding to get their dress made by you. I only visited Nemo once, had a pregnancy in-between and we live on different islands, they managed to create the dress of my dreams from one single photograph. You truly are amazing!
- Sammy Birtwistle, Papamoa
FIND US
Nestled in the Wakatipu Basin, weβre extremely blessed to call beautiful Queenstown home.
You can find us at 3 Gray Street, Frankton or send us mail at P.O. box 2035, Wakatipu 9300.
Our current operating hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Modern weddings have been built on rituals and traditions from yester-year, but do you actually know the history of how some of the most popular traditions were created? Today Nemo is deep-diving into the customs surrounding three of our favourite wedding practices - Bridal Veils, Garters, and the most curious of them all - wedding horseshoes.