Rising Ethical Style & Fashion Labels
This year, we’re keeping a close eye on the Aussie designers set to make waves in fashion and style.
Capturing the attention of international audiences can be a challenge for creatives down under. Yet it seems this only results in stronger attention to detail and overall quality.
Whether they’ve recently launched or are established and growing, here are some of the Australian designers we’re keeping an eye on in 2019.
Aaizél
Having been recently selected as one of three finalists for the 2019 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award, that comes with a total prize pool of $100,000, Minhee Jo of Melbourne based label Aaizél is on the rise. For the progressive woman with a romantic spirit, the designs of Aaizél are an intoxicating mix of traditional East Asian garment construction and contemporary edge. Her seasonless approach to designs caters to both hemispheres, so we can totally see this label making big waves internationally.
Mastani
At the core of Kudrat Makkar’s vision for Mastani is the desire to celebrate modern female identity and preserve cultural heritage. Mastani pieces are created using handmade techniques passed down over many years – all the while recycling and repurposing all cutoffs and scraps from the production process.
Coreprêt
Style and fashion in the world of workwear are heading in an interesting direction. Perth’s Gabrielle Leavesely and Melbournite Nessie Croft are putting a unique spin on women’s and men’s workwear with their label Coreprêt. Utilising recycled materials and focusing on the longevity of pieces, your Monday to Friday has never looked – or felt – so good.
Blair Archibald
Another finalist of the 2019 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award, Blair Archibald is a standout in the rising Aussie fashion and style scene. With a strong focus on sustainability, this label offers a gender fluid, practical and thoughtful approach to fashion design.
The Social Studio
The Social Studio isn’t just a clothing label. It’s a fashion school, a textile print studio, retail shop and a community space that champions creativity and belonging within migrant and refugee communities. The TSS label is entirely ethically made using reclaimed and upcycled materials and brings together a wide array of fashion and style influences.
Gloria Dulcie
Ethical luxury label Gloria Dulcie focuses on escaping traditional trend cycles in fashion and style by creating detailed capsule collections. Inspired by modern femininity and creativity as a whole, Gloria Dulcie is definitely a label to keep an eye on.
