Shop these Australian designers before they blow up

Introducing the Osso Bucco of fashion.

Introducing the Osso Bucco of fashion.

The fashion industry overproduces. 

Its responsible for 8-10% of global emissions, more than aviation and shipping industries combined. On average, Australian’s purchase 27kg of clothing each year and discard 23kg.

Enough with the sermon of doom and gloom: As consumers, we can rethink the way that we purchase. This is exciting.

Becoming a conscious shopper gives us the opportunity to look under the hood and question where our clothes are being made, and by whom. Instead of fruitlessly trawling through peplum tops on fast fashion e-commerce sites, and purchasing something we don't actually love because we feel the need to compensate for time lost.

There is a new guard of Australian designers that are redrawing the fashion landscape, reducing waste, and prioritising sustainability. But not at the expense of style.

Dame Vivienne Westwood put it best, “buy less, choose well, make it last.” 

Jillian Boustred

For: The girls whose Amalfi Coast alfresco dining photos you have saved on Instagram

Sydney/Eora-based fashion designer Jillian Boustred launched her first collection in 2015, working out of her Annandale share house. With a focus on sustainability, the brand delivers classic, seasonless, flattering staples and separates that are designed to stay in your wardrobe for years. Think earthy linen blouses, tiered dresses, and fine merino knitwear. 

Arnsdorf

For: People that need to pretend they’re an Olsen twin to get out of bed every morning

Arnsdorf creator and designer Jade Sarita Arnott set the bar for sustainable fashion in Australia when she relaunched her label in 2016, pleading to a mission of sustainability and transparency. All Arnsdorf garments are designed, cut, sewn and finished in its Melbourne digs — with details on exactly who made each piece. Last year, they launched a rental service to make its luxury garms more accessible to a new audience at a fraction of the price. 

Katharina Lou

For: The girl with the dinner reservation.

Melbourne/Naarm-based designer Katharina Lou is a one-woman show that makes every order in her studio in Brunswick. The designer works closely with a female-run Block Printing studio in Bangalore India to create the vibrant prints that adorn her clothes. 

Cleopatra’s Bling

For: Those that despise minimalism and love layering.

Melbourne/Naarm jeweller Olivia Cummings moved to Turkey and learned the art of adornment from the old Turkish men in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. Her label, Cleopatra’s Bling, is inspired by travel, collective memory, and the cosmos. Her affordable, handcrafted pieces have found fans in celebrities like Amal Clooney, Florence Welch, and Ocean Vuong. 

Alix Higgins

For the: Club kids that spent their teen years sleepless and entranced by the blur of the Tumblr dashboard.

Sydney/Eora based designer Alix Higgins is a fashion and textiles designer that makes skin-tight, strobing lycra poetry that makes us want to dance forever. Alix trained in Paris, and was a former Print Designer to Marine Serre (yes, the woman behind that moon top). His designs have been worn by the likes of Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer and Grimes. 

Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp 

For: People that need to reclaim their sense of self after watching Lords of Dogtown at a vulnerable age.

Sydney/Eora designer Niamh Galea started her label Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp accidentally. After a gap year interning in Los Angeles at cult label Eckhaus Latta, Niamh returned home to complete degree. She named her graduate collection, and subsequent Instagram page Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp. The label blew up. 

RTTS has earned hordes of devotees for its size-inclusive, fit-flexible, and totally freaky style. It’s romantic, poetic and hyper-feminine and bizarrely sexy. Think slinky, velour tracksuit in muddy browns, and delicate, embroidered baby tees. 

Ebonny Munroe

For: Sprites trapped in cosmopolitan confines.

Tkay Maidza, Charli XCX and Lil Miquela are all fans of Sydney/Eora designer Ebonny Munroe’s otherworldly jewelry. The Kings Cross-based artist makes handmade trinkets we want to whisper all our secrets into. Last year, she collaborated with cult Melbourne musicians HTRK on a divine, limited-edition “Valentina” ring to celebrate the release of their fragile album Rhinestones.

all is a gentle spring

For: Those whose Pinterest boards are made up of photos of ​​Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

Isabelle Hellyer is the mastermind designer behind cult Melbourne/Naarm-based clothing label all is a gentle spring. The brand first captured our attention in 2019, with their 17th and 18th-century inspired corsets. Their debut runway presentation at Australian Fashion Week saw them embrace the basics, with bum-hugging merino wool trousers, silk headbands, and grey mini-skirts. Grimes, Halsey, and Charli XCX have all donned their designs. 

Dakota501

For: People that are always walking alone with over-ear headphones, probably listening to Beabadoobee.

Australian streetwear staple Dakota 501 launched on Melbourne’s iconic Chapel Street 40 years ago. years ago. The team of four produces small clothing capsules locally. If you’re striving for that hallowed TikTok ‘weird girl’ aesthetic make Dakota501 your first destination. 

Maroske Peech

For: Disciples of ballet-core.

Melbourne/Naarm-based duo Elisa Keeler and Jordan Conder’s independent label Maroske Peech is firmly indebted to dancewear. Inspired by their shared dance upbringing, they tap into the psyche of what it was to be a Bloch-obsessed schoolgirl. Arm warmers, velour leotard, stringy tanks, and hanging thread leggings have all become grail. Hunter Schafer and Bella Hadid are fans.