This film focuses on a visit to Auckland’s Berlei House and the work conditions for employees. It also surveys and fully describes the manufacture of women’s fashion undergarments. Includes the corset, from beginning of manufacture, to completion, modelling and despatching of the boxed garments to various retail outlets.
A VISIT TO BERLEI HOUSE
Intertitles: “Situated in Wellesley Street West, Auckland, Berlei House presents a striking example of modern industrial architecture.”
“The artistically-designed main entrance.”
“The spacious General Office where over a score of smartly uniformed clerks and stenographers present a scene of efficiency.”
“Introducing Mr. Stanley S. Scott Managing Director of Berlei N.Z. Ltd.”
“Mr. Rex Moore, Factory Manager, who controls over 200 skilled operatives and a plant of 150 modern machines.”
“Cutting the raw material with deft exactitude.”
“Attaching the “backing,”or lacing section, of a corset with a 4-needle machine.”
“Inserting the reinforced bust and sewing it in with a 2-needle machine.”
“Sockets for the enclosure of corset steels being sewn on by a 3-needle strapping machine.”
“Leaving the main manufacturing benches for a few minutes. Ingenious operations in the production of garment accessories. Automatic cutting of suspender webbings.”
“Swedging,” or the fastening of suspender buckles and loops to the elastic webbing.”
“Printing the familiar Berlei trademark on garment strappings.”
“Strip cutting machine employed to cut Bias Bindings and garment strappings to required widths.”
“Binding of garments and over-sewing of suspenders.”
“Hooks and eyes being rivetted in by machine.”
“The lacing section of a corset receiving its eyelets.”
“Threading corset laces.”
“Returning to the main benches:- Attaching eyes to Corselettes. Note how the needle neatly avoids the metal eyelet.”
“Attaching trimming to Brassieres by an overcasting machine.”
“Imparting finish by means of automatically operated electric machine irons.”
“The final examination before boxing! Berlei garments are critically examined five times during manufacture.”
“Stamping number, type, area and size on the boxes.”
“A finished Berlei garment. Careful wrapping in tissue and neat boxing before passing to Stock Department.”
“Stock Department where thousands of pounds worth of garments are carried to ensure rapid fulfilment of orders received.”
“Despatch Department. Packing and wrapping orders for despatch.”
“Catering for the welfare of Berlei employees. A section of the modern, commodious Cafeteria where the staff of over 200 can be served with three-course dinners.”
“Miss Anne Levick, Head Demonstrator.”
“Permanent mannequin stage where the newest styles are displayed.”