Fashion Exposed

Agnieszka Kuniszewska is a young designer who has brought her talent all the way from Poland to Melbourne. Instantly celebrated by industry for her bold application of colour, texture and inspirational patterns. This is her second collection. Agnieszka WINTER 09 is playful and moody with heaps of personality and style. Knitwear 100% Australian Wool, Cotton. Made in Australia. RRP $150 upwards. Available from the designer. Started 05/07 – participated debut 07 Melbourne

Katelyn Aslett specialises in the craft of felting and hand dying using her passion for the medium. She produces collections that deconstruct and manipulate fabrics into wearable fashion artworks that are joyful and surprising with unique textures and details. JOYFUL comprises of colourful cardigans, snugly shift tops and dresses with soft wool edges, sculptural and tactile with an emphasis on recycled fabrics and natural fibres, re-worked and re-dyed into wearable art. Wool and silk. Made in Australia by designer. RRP $120-500. Available from www.katelynaslett.com Label launched 03/07 – participated debut 07 Melbourne ­

Giotta Tringas is an enthusiastic creator of tiny garments, with a passion for simplicity and well-designed details. m i s s b é b a consists of beautifully crafted childrenswear, subtle and clean, with a hint of international - each piece is proudly handmade with love in Australia. Inspiration comes easily from the stunning Liberty prints, which are so detailed and distinctive and always with an ethos of designing beautiful pieces to be worn and enjoyed. DANDY/W09 draws influence from dandy style, with sharp tailoring, feminine frills and divine kingly cord qualities, all combining to create versatile trans-seasonal pieces. Liberty fabrics. Made in Australia by designer. RRP $40-210. Available from the designer. Started 10/07 – label launched 04/08

Sarah Curtin and Natalie Martin : A fashion designer and a graphic designer who happened to live together and who happened to be cousins put their like-minded spirits together to fill a void in the streetwear market. Moneypenny is pushing to become an influential ethical fashion brand. HALFTONE - a distinct aesthetic and sun-kissed colours draw on a time when attitude was key and priorities where different. Each of the loose fun cuts is a limited edition and marked with the edition number. 100% certified organic cotton. Made in Australia. RRP $59-199. Available from www.moneypennyclothing.com.au Started 2/07 – label launched 05/07

MOPOKE is a unique Melbourne label, combining fashion with sustainability. Designer Christy Van der Heyden creates unique wearables using a minimum of 95% natural fibres and is dedicated to operating an ethical, eco-friendly business. Emerging in the summer of 2007 MOPOKE is a young fresh label ready to grow old into the future. The ATLANTIS collection represents where we are today and where we are heading. It embodies the need for fashion to meet sustainability. The designer have a futuristic aesthetic with a completely earthy feel. High quality work and unique designs represent Melbourne’s eclectic mix of cultures and influences. 95% natural fibres, cotton, wool, linen. Made in Australia. RRP $80-450. Available from the designer. Started 11/07 – debut collection

Inspiration for OK Carnivale began when designer Michelle Lewis landed a bar job after completing a Creative Arts degree at The University of Melbourne. Whilst delving into Melbourne’s bohemian nightlife and unique art scene, she dreamt of a fashion label, which caters to this unique collective of people. After she gathered the technical skills form a diploma on Fashion at RMIT the label was officially launched in 2007. MY GRANMAS CLOSET is a playful collection inspired by the childhood dress up box. Though a clash of vintage trends and modern concepts it is an avant-garde retrospective of 60s and 70s classics. A bright palette and outrageous humour culminate in an exciting new look- “Granma with Attitude!” Cotton, Wool, Knits and natural fibres. Made in Australia by designer. RRP$70-250. Available from www.okcarnivale.com Started 04/07 – Label launched 04/07 – participated debut 07 Melbourne.

Thea Samios: After studying textile design in Canada, designer Thea Samios returned home to Brisbane in 2006 and established the label Thea & Sami. The label specialises in limited edition eco-fashions and homewares. Designs are hand-printed utilising natural organic fabrics and toxic free inks. ECO Town & Country features certified organic or sustainable fabrics. Styles are practical and made to last. All designs are hand-printed using solvent-free, water-based inks. Made in Australia. RRP $49-380. Available from www.thea-sami.com.au Started 08/06 – label launched 12/06

Sydney-based designers Monica and Justine Smith have combined their interests of fashion and industrial design into their label tutu. Tutu is blend of the sisters’ unique and contrasting style, expressing their skills in tailoring and dressmaking. Each collection is completely distinctive with a focus on exquisite detailing. The 2 by 2 Collection for A/W 09 centres on the look of a mysterious & mischievous schoolgirl. Tailored pieces are contrasted with flowing feminie garments. The detailing emphasises the theme of doubling through double pleats, collars etc. Double Georgette, Sating, Cotton. Made in Australia by the designers. RRP $89-199. Available from www.tutu.com.au Started 01/06 – label launched 01/06

After graduating from CIT in 2007 with a Bachelor of design, designer Yumi Holder has been busy creating unique feminine collection under the label Zilpah tart. This is her first “real” collection. AUTUMN WALK – Feminine corporate wear with interesting textures and pleated details. The collection shows creative silhouettes for women who like to express their individuality. Polyester suiting, Satin, Cotton Lycra, Cotton. Made in Australia by the designer. RRP $88-330. Available from the designer. Started 01/08 – label launched 03/08 – participated debut 08 Sydney

Audrey Says Hello! Designer Karen Thompson was fed up with not being able to find quality, stylish rings and bracelets to fit. After completing a Diploma of Jewellery Design & Production, she launched into designing a range especially for larger sizes that is comfortable, quirky and fun. PEARS & PEACOCKS is inspired by the “flower child” embroidery pattern of the 60s and 70s. The curvilinear designs hark back to Danish modernism popular in the 60s yet look fresh and contemporary. Crafted from sterling silver and resin. Made in Indonesia. RRP $80-350. Available from www.audreysayshello.com Started 04/08 – label launched 04/08 – debut collection

Debora De Stefanis is a Melbourne designer and metal smith with aspirations to create beautifully unique pieces that provide continuos enjoyment and combine effortlessly within one’s wardrobe. Her admiration and fascination with the intricate, fragile patterns found in nature drive most of her designs. The NOUVEAU CIRQUE collection is a range of jewellery with something suitable for most occasions. Ter is a continuos motif plating throughout. It combines light embroidered silk organza with silver plated chain and floral components. The overall feel is pretty yet bold. Silk Organza, base metal, silver and nickel plate. Made in Australia by the designer. RRP $40-160. Available from the designer. Debut collection

The idea of longevity keeps Stehanie Winther’s work original and of the highest quality. “To stand out from the crowd and be treasured is the objective behind my work,” for each piece to be cherished and worn with absolute delight. REMNANTS is a themed collection of handcrafted contemporary jewellery. Bold, feminine and unique, a fusion of fun and function inspired by Art Nouveau architecture, particularly mouldings, cornices and rails. Sterling silver. Made in Australia by the designer. RRP $50-200. Available from www.stephaniewinther.com Started 06/06 – label launched 06/06