ESTABLISHED in 1979 in Arorangi, Rarotonga by Joyce & Oliver Peyroux. Like most start-up businesses, Joyce Peyroux Garments started from the kitchen table and garage. When dinner was completed and table was cleared the dining table became the screen printing table. The kitchen oven was used to set the printed garments and a modified fridge with a heater. Oliver (Dad) was the Artist and drew all th
e designs and made all the screens to order. Joyce (Mum) was the printer, the sewer, the seller and kept the books in order. Dad was Chief Surveyor of the Cook Islands at the time and mum decided that this is what she would do. The first shop was opened in 1979 opposite old Public Works in Arorangi. That was used for retail and sewing. Shortly after that time as demand grew part of the old Arorangi Packing shed was rented and used for screen-printing and storing blank tees. During that time the business grew to 4 retail shops and as many outlets. ARTISTS changed hands from Dad to Rennie Peyroux to my brother Ken Peyroux to myself Derek Peyroux to Sophie Peyroux, August Meyer, now to my son & daughter Oliver & Keona Peyroux. Supported by many local & overseas Artists over the years, Nga Vakapora, Baker Baker, David Masters, Joe Peyroux, Bernard Wind, Melanie Peyroux, Jason McMurchy, Sue Pearson… having designed many of the logos still used now by teams and businesses like Hash House Harriers and Hoffsprings, Cook Islands Rugby League, T&M Heather, Club Raro. Besides at one time or another printing for nearly every business and club Joyce Peyroux has also exported garments for people and companies like Judith Kunzle, Tahiti Art & Green Peace. During the South Pacific Mini Games in Rarotonga the company grew to 30 full time staff. With our own Sewing factory, Block Printing, Tye-Dying and Airbrushing. Hosting and teaching other Island Nation Businesses, what we have learned thru trial and error and with lots of passion.
3 GENERATIONS of family Artists, 35 years later Joyce Peyroux Garments is still learning and still thriving to produce quality artistic garments. The artistis driving force at the moment are our own son Oliver Peyroux and David Tonga. Both brilliant artists producing the designs that other countries are copying off us, so it must be good. It’s now at a manageable size of less than 10 full time staff with 3 stores and a couple of weekend stores at the market plus a few outlets. Hopefully you’ll pop into one and get yourself a part of Cook Islands History & Culture. Regards
Derek Peyroux
3 generations of artists plus the best of the best Polynesian artists from different Islands of Polynesia.
