"The Fabric of a dream : the Fletcher Jones story" is the story of how a shellshocked WWI veteran who’d left school at 12 years with a stuttering speech impediment, took to the road as a hawker and ended up creating a national icon – JF's.
Through determination, belief and hard work, the clothing design, retail and manufacturing business that Fletcher Jones established in Warrnambool would survive the 1920s Depression and WWII.
At it’s peak, Fletcher Jones & Staff encompassed 55 stores around Australia and employed over 2,750 people. Warrnambool townspeople tell of having to finish their business and be back home before the Fletcher Jones staff finished for the day and clogged the streets.
It was named Fletcher Jones & Staff as the employees actually owned the company. Fletcher Jones set up the business as a workers’ co-operative, based on the principles of fairness, decency and integrity. His emphasis on value, quality, service and scientific innovation. In fact his clothes wore so well, he was doing himself out of repeat business. But his primary concern was for people – both his customers and his workers – and they, in turn, were intensely loyal.
It also looks at those who helped him achieve his dream, exploring his relationship with Japanese reformer Toyohiko Kagawa – a social activist – and highlighting the vital contribution of migrant workers to the ragtrade (F.J.s had a bus to take migrants straight from Station Pier to Warrnambool).
Through determination, belief and hard work, the clothing design, retail and manufacturing business that Fletcher Jones established in Warrnambool would survive the 1920s Depression and WWII.
At it’s peak, Fletcher Jones & Staff encompassed 55 stores around Australia and employed over 2,750 people. Warrnambool townspeople tell of having to finish their business and be back home before the Fletcher Jones staff finished for the day and clogged the streets.
It was named Fletcher Jones & Staff as the employees actually owned the company. Fletcher Jones set up the business as a workers’ co-operative, based on the principles of fairness, decency and integrity. His emphasis on value, quality, service and scientific innovation. In fact his clothes wore so well, he was doing himself out of repeat business. But his primary concern was for people – both his customers and his workers – and they, in turn, were intensely loyal.It also looks at those who helped him achieve his dream, exploring his relationship with Japanese reformer Toyohiko Kagawa – a social activist – and highlighting the vital contribution of migrant workers to the ragtrade (F.J.s had a bus to take migrants straight from Station Pier to Warrnambool).
There are a number of historic shots of the landmark Warrnambool factory and its iconic gardens (the black & white photo above was taken from in the FJ Clearance Centre).
This documentary celebrates the life of a man who inspired many with his bold and imaginative ideas, whose entrepreneurial skills and marketing acumen became legendary.
The story weaves through 20th century Australian history, the aftermath of the war, the challenges of global competition, the impact of immigration and the rise and fall of modern industry.
A DVD from Film Australia & SBS, filmed in black & white and colour, published in 2006 , and running for 52 minutes.
The story weaves through 20th century Australian history, the aftermath of the war, the challenges of global competition, the impact of immigration and the rise and fall of modern industry.
A DVD from Film Australia & SBS, filmed in black & white and colour, published in 2006 , and running for 52 minutes.
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