Local clothier gets a shot at Hollywood retail BURKE CAMPBELL The Financial Post

Bonnie Cook runs St. John's-based AbbyShot Clothiers, an online movie-inspired apparel business. - Submitted photo

Remote location hasn't stopped a small clothier in St. John's from hitting the big leagues.

Earlier this year, Bonnie Cook, founder of AbbyShot Clothiers (abbyshot.com), told the Financial Post, "I saw an untapped global market for the many fans of action films, TV hit shows, and popular computer games, who want to dress up like their favourite characters. For them, we make wearable clothing, not just costumes."

Now, AbbyShot Clothiers has announced a licensing agreement with Hollywood's Universal Pictures to create apparel based on the Browncoat worn in "Serenity," a film adaptation of Joss Whedon's TV series "Firefly," with full endorsement from the creators.

Tricia Chaves, senior director, licensing at Universal Partnerships & Licensing says, "After meeting with Ms. Cook and her team, and reviewing AbbyShot's previous designs, we knew fans would be completely satisfied with this partnership."

Cook operated a sewing business from home until 2002, when she branded AbbyShot.

Soon the buzz on her film-inspired apparel spread across MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube.

At the 2007 Licensing Inter-national Expo in New York City, she made contacts with major studios including Universal.

She also recently signed a deal with the British Broadcasting Corp. to release apparel featured in its long-running series "Doctor Who."

The clothing is manufactured in China. The company has six employees and ships orders worldwide.