About Bettina

Bettina is the owner, designer and patternmaker for Kahootz Clothing Concept.  The business began in 1991 and boasts to still have some of the same clients from that time. Working as a junior fashion designer Bettina found that she couldn’t wear the clothes she was designing.

Frustrated with not being a perfect size, she asked around and found that - surprise surprise! - not a lot of people were!

Kahootz was born out of providing a service as a clothing designer and manufacturer to women who were frustrated and looking for true service.

“I was 12 when I first decided to be a designer and everything I have ever done through school subjects has been all about this goal. I sold my first garment at the age of 14, and my high school formal was a very busy time for me!

My friends all were excited to have their formal dresses designed by me.

Half way through year 11 I was accepted into an international private fashion design college, KVB College of visual Arts in North Sydney.

After finishing   my Higher School Certificate I moved to Sydney to take up my position in my college.

It was a very tough year as I had to pay my way through by working in hospitality full time nights and going to college full time in the days. I graduated with honors and a diploma in fashion design in 1988.

My friends all were excited to have their formal dresses designed by me.

I went straight into the trade as a junior patternmaker (and floor sweeper!) with Sydney designer, Lizzie Collins. At that time Lizzie had 12 stores across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. For 3 years I soaked up all knowledge that I could. I also designed a younger range for Lizzie mainly aimed at the formal dress market when I was about 20.

When I left Lizzie Collins I freelanced as a patternmaker and grader in Sydney for about 18 months before moving to Brisbane to start my own business at the ripe old age of 22.