MT Lawley is in a growth spurt with more and more diverse businesses seemingly opening every day.
The latest addition to the strip is Devlin & Co, with mother and daughter team of Lesley and Jane Martino .
Both women have lived in the area all their lives and have watched Beaufort Street become a vibrant strip.
“It’s fantastic working in an area where people are putting so much of themselves into the community,” Lesley said.
“The Beaufort Street Network and Festival are strong examples. This is all through people like Elaine at Behind the Monkey, who offer not only a wonderful, unique experience with Behind the Monkey, but also work hard to promote and maintain the strong community feel of the street.”
Lesley’s father, Barney Devlin, established Devlin & Co fashion agency in the mid-’60s, setting up the business on King Street.
Back then, there were a number of fashion wholesalers, agencies and warehouses on King, buzzing with buyers from chain stores.
Jane has worked in fashion retail for eight years, completed a marketing and PR degree and assisted on a number of fashion events.
It was a given that she would step into Devlin & Co fashion agency, a family business run previously by her grandfather, and more recently by her mother Lesley.
The women have carried on the third generation of the family business.
“It’s important to retain the original name of the agency. My grandfather built a strong, honest and successful business based on loyalty and mutual relationships,” Jane said.
“I love that we still supply customers who he used to sell to and I’m honoured to be part of what he built.”
Devlin & Co’s target market is predominantly women aged 18 to 45, representing brands from swimwear labels such as Heaven and Aqua Blu to established co-ordinate ranges like Gitane.
The women also encourage and promote young, local designers such as Kim Barton.