indie fashion

Not long ago, I spent a long weekend in Melbourne with my mum & sister. While I didn't make it to all all the shopping strips I would have liked (as I had to be 'diplomatic'), I did get to visit many of my favourite boutiques in the city - and take some pics to share with you!

The Africa handmade deep-scoop-back one piece swimsuit (AUD $250) by We Are Handsome

Through their innovative new label, Spoke + Spool, Sydney designers Alia Parker and Laura Pike have threaded together their love of both fashion & cycling. They've released a fantastic range of creative clothing for guys and girls with all garments designed & made by Laura. The label was launched at the recent "Where To From Here" exhibition at Fraser Studios (Chippendale) which celebrated bike culture in Sydney and showcased the work of a number of progressive designers, artists and makers around town.

The Spoke + Spool collection is remade from existing vintage clothes which are made from beautiful fabrics such as silk and wool. The clothing is transformed with an emphasis on functionality - achieved specifically through reflector tape, screenprinted bicycle map linings, and compasses for navigation. I really love the little bolero pictured above. When the coat tails are buttoned up, the woven reflector tape patches look like a pair of ladybird wings!

Aren't these photos beautiful? The photo shoot was at local Sydney Park (the grassy hills seemed very familiar!), and the talent behind the lens was Sudney photographer Laura Friezer. This pretty bike fashion is a far cry from lycra bodysuits!

I think this is my favourite from the range. The "onesy" has been totally transformed from the original garment, with legs that were once sleeves, and frills which used to be a belt... The diamond-shaped reflector detail makes a cute pattern which matches the stylish, airy feel of the outfit.

Spoke + Spool represents a duality of style & function for the inner city commuter propelled by pedal power. The label endeavours to be as resourceful and ecologically sound as the transport method it's made for. With designs springing from superior second hand and vintage clothing & fabrics, each garment is both unusual in style and totally unique. The vintage woolen vest pictured above is reversible, so it's ideal for both on and off the bike.

The Spoke + Spool range is stocked exclusively at The Vintage Clothing Shop, Shop 7/80 Castlereagh St, St James Arcade, Sydney. To find out more about this collection of "Freewheeling Clothes for Bikelovers", visit www.spokenspool.com. With compass vintage wristbands to guide them, these girls know where they're going!

Unbrushed Tunic Dress Short (left, USD $52) and Black Circle Dress A-Line (right, USD $62 sizes XS-XL, USD $64 plus sizes 1X, 2X & 3X) by Lyptis

A cute dress which is cosy, cosy, cosy! Quite a find... Melbourne designer Franziska Ringel named her label "Lyptis" after "euca-lyptus" because "they smell so nice and are always green". Originally from Germany, she used to do drawing, photography and worked as a sound technician at punk/hardcore concerts in Berlin. Last year, she started sewing, and loves being able to make something that she and her customers can wear and use everyday.

Winter Blossoms Top (left, USD $45) and Grey Circle Dress (right, USD $64 sizes XS-XL, USD $66 plus sizes 1X, 2X & 3X) by Lyptis

The garments pictured here are made from warm, soft fabrics such as double knits and unbrushed fleece. Many Lyptis designs are also available in plus sizes, so nobody need miss out. Franziska is happy to accept custom orders too! I think my favourite is the Grey Circle Dress. Which would you choose?

You can view many more Lyptis designs at www.lyptis.etsy.com and keep up-to-date through the Lyptis "The Rant" blog.

Upcycled fun green top - 'prarie' (left, was USD $55, now USD $41) and ethical cotton knit striped winter dress / jumper - 'tommy' (right, USD $80) from Heidi and Seek

I really love Heidi and Seek's motto, "Saving the world, one cute garment at a time". It speaks volumes about the passion Melbourne maker Hayley Lau stitches into her designs. The Heidi & Seek range is comprised of one-of-a-kind handmade garments which have been upcycled and reconstructed using quality second-hand items. They are wonderful combinations of colours, fabrics, styles and details. Hayley gives each piece a "unique sense of fun and colour".

"DIY" and "we are not sheep" badges (USD $7 each) from Heidi and Seek

Heidi & Seek aims to counter the disposable nature of today's fashion industry, which relies on exploited workers to bear the cost of the low prices offered to customers. She strives for fairness and eco-friendliness in every aspect of business. The Ethics page on her web site describes her views, and the problems with common production practices within the fashion industry.

In upcycling pre-loved garments, Hayley really mixes things up - creating combinations that might not have otherwise come about. In that sense, her philosophy also contributes to the design appeal of her garments, which are often surprising, and always super cute. I love the large collars on the tops featured here, and especially the sweet gathered short-sleeve + slender long-sleeve combo. For these pieces, comfy clothes have been dressed up by the detailing!

Ethical brown blue oversized collar winter sweater jumper - 'gabbie' (left, USD $75) and upcycled red brown bow pocket winter shirt - 'paper doll' (right, USD $55) from Heidi and Seek

I just had to include pics of her fabric-covered button badges too! How gorgeous are they? Especially the pink "we are not sheep". Love it.

Heidi and Seek can be found at:
the web site - www.heidiandseek.com
the blog - Heidi and Seek and Ethical Fashion
Heidi and Seek's Etsy Store heidiandseek.etsy.com

This lovely label is also stocked at the following retail stores:
VIC: Lulu (Balaclava), Rude Health (St Kilda) and Pink String (Woodend)
ONLINE: Leeloo

Poketo Skirt (left, AUD $95) and Tux Dress in Black (right, AUD $195) from Secret Squirrel Clothing

Hi there Indie kids, so lovely to meet you all. As I pondered over what I should share with you in my debut post, the thought occurred to me that it might be nice to share a bit of myself with you all. A getting-to-know you sort of deal. So here we go: I adore dresses, especially the wintry kind that, when teamed with some thick black tights, patent black heels and a cute beret, equal perfection. So when I stumbled across Sydney label Secret Squirrel's winter '09 collection, I couldn't resist sharing it with you all.

From humble beginnings under a canvas umbrella in Sydney's Glebe Markets, Secret Squirrel's playful yet elegant creations can now be found in a handful of retail and online boutiques in Australia and New Zealand. It is the beautiful love-child of designers Bri Cheeseman and Andrew Prince, who produce two seasonal collections a year.

Velvet Smoking Jacket (left, AUD $189) and Christina Dress - Lace (right, AUD $209) from Secret Squirrel Clothing

Their latest collection, Darker Than Blue (AW09) sees their classic cuts teamed with antique lace, opulent silk and just a hint of velvet. The winter collection also sees the duo team up with another cult Sydney design duo, We Buy Your Kids, to create some super cute and quirky t-shirts.

When asked about their creations, Bri says that Secret Squirrel aims to make clothes that will stand the test of time; collections that are simple and elegant without necessarily looking like it. "We are young and modern, and a little innocent, but there is a splash of gorgeous and grown up about us, too."

Christina Silk Dress (left, AUD $198) and Smock Dress (right, AUD $209) from Secret Squirrel Clothing.

My personal favourites from the collection are the Christina dress in red silk (above left) and the navy silk smock dress (above right). To see more of Secret Squirrel's luscious collection, or to purchase one of these beauties for yourself, visit www.secretsquirrelclothing.com.au.

Smock Dress (left, AUD $209) and Button Skirt (right, AUD $115) from Secret Squirrel Clothing.

Even better news: right now in The Grand Social's online store, Secret Squirrel items from the sweet summer collection Kaleidescope are on sale. Pretty and cheap! What more could you ask for. :)

Kimono Dress (left, AUD $220) and Tux Top (right, AUD $145) from Secret Squirrel Clothing.

You'll find Secret Squirrel's Darker Than Blue collection hiding at the following Australian stockists:

NSW: Pigeon Ground Records and Clothing (Camperdown), Somedays (Surry Hills), Abicus, Made 590 (Newtown), Glamourpuss (Erskinville), Lee & Me (Wollongong)
VIC: Some Buddy Loves You (Fitzroy), Little Salon (Fitzroy), Dorothy & Evelyn (St Kilda), Pussycat Black (Brunswick), Lu Lu Design Store (Balaclava), Hummingbird 60 (Northcote), Wolf Whistle
WA: Subway DC (Perth, Freemantle, Claremont), Atlas Devine (Leederville)
ONLINE: www.birdmotel.com.au, www.thegrandsocial.com.au/secret-squirrel

Posted by Jacquie

ISSUE TWO of the very lovely Peppermint Magazine is out now... and it has grown! Boasting a larger format and 90 pages (100% post-consumer recycled, naturally!), the mag is bursting with the freshest green fashion on the planet. One look at the dreamy cover & you'll most likely recognise the beautiful girly-girl style of Melbourne graphic designer & illustrator Bec Winnel. (We'll also be posting a follow up artist interview with Bec very soon!)

The day I received Peppermint in the mail, I pored over it for hours on end - my favourite pages being the "Welcome Back" photo editorial. Dizzying late afternoon light, saturated colours, ...and balloons!!

Welcome Back features once-loved fabrics being given a new lease of life. Photographer Christine Day Lorico has captured the free spirit of eco-friendly fashion as Pheobe Rutaquio models unique, often one-of-a-kind garments made from reclaimed, vintage & upcycled fabrics. Pictured above are the Blue Fire Dress by Heidi & Seek (left, US $79), and the Purdy Dress by East of Grey (right, AUD $470).

Each issue, Peppermint Magazine runs an Art Eco Competition, and the theme for this issue was "what goes around comes around"... The theme can be interpreted using any creative medium - design, painting, illustration, sculpture etc. and three finalists are selected by guest judges. This issue's winner is Alyson Pearson from Byron Bay (NSW) with her illustration "Land of Letterville" (above right). On the left is a super crafty entry by Bethany Watt from Newmarket (QLD). She used freestyle pattern making (!!), single machine stitch and recycled fabrics to create her summer dress entry. She has even included Lenny Kravitz lyrics (What Goes Around) on the sash.

By the way, the theme for Issue 3 is "Water: every drop counts" so creatives can get thinking now!

Peppermint Magazine offers feature articles on avante-guarde activist and Discovery Planet Green's model correspondent Summer Rayne Oakes (pictured above), fair trade in the fashion industry, green graphic design (pictured below right), and haunting series of photos and accompanying interview with visual journalist Juriaan Booij about the sinking of Tuvalu. There's also "Breaking the Pattern" - our indie art & design interview with Umbrella Prints! Read the full interview here.

Something the crafters among us are sure to love is new Peppermint Magazine feature "little miss sew & sew". This issue will teach you to make a blouse out of an old shirt - just like the one below!

Peppermint Magazine is available for AUD $9.95 from Borders, MagNation, selected newsagents across Australia and online at Leeloo. (I spied copies in the newsagents in Newtown & Erskineville in Sydney!) If you are already a big fan of Peppermint (like me), why not subscribe now, and receive 4 issues (starting from Issue 3) delivered to your door with free postage! Subscriptions are AUD $40 for Australians, $60 for New Zealanders, and $80 for folk from the rest of the world.

We are also excited to have two copies to GIVE AWAY! To win, simply leave a comment on this post and I'll draw two winners at random on 1.5.2009. Good luck!

Feline Fox necklace in cherrywood, AUD $49.50 by limedrop

Since I first spied the Feline Fox printed tee in Kids in Berlin a few seasons back, I've been in awe of the talent behind Melbourne label limedrop. I'm very happy to report that I now have my own Feline Fox in the form of the sweet cherrywood pendant draped over my neighbour's lime tree pictured above.

Lockface necklace in cherrywood, AUD $49.50 by limedrop

Platform (at LIFE inSTYLE) lured limedrop to Sydney to show off their unique line of cherrywood accessories. The stand was a beacon for those on the prowl for something edgy & cool! The intricate designs have been laser cut & engraved into cherrywood, which is also availble with a black, white, silver or gold veneer finish.

HER: Heart Turtleneck Long Sleeve Sweater (Charcoal) & Pleated Twist Pocket Skirt (Red Fade Check) and HIM: Soft Drape Cardigan (Black Modal), Moosehead T-shirt (White) & Baggy Pants (Cable Knit Print) by limedrop

limedrop's wooden accessories began with a set of hanging mobiles designed for an exhibition at Melbourne's Milly Sleeping (as part of the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2007). A number of extra hanging pendants were made into necklaces & quickly snapped up by customers!

Sinking Ship necklace in cherrywood with black veneer, AUD $49.50 by limedrop

I love limedrop's fresh & tangy marriage of illustration and jewellery design. The collection has a spirit of fun & adventure, storytelling & romance... just like the tale of the intrepid twosome who brought the label to life. limedrop began as a love story between designers Clea Garrick and Nathan Price. After falling for each other in their hometown in the tropical far reaches of the Northern Territory, they travelled hand in hand to Brisbane, Sydney, and finally to Melbourne, where they launched the label in 2005.

Floaty Fluted Collar Dress (Navy Check Crinkle) & Sateen Racer Jacket (Black Sateen) by limedrop

limedrop's sixth fashion collection entitled "The Huntsman" has arrived for Autumn | Winter 2009. limedrop are known for their use of clear lines, bold colours, structured pieces and curious proportions. I just love the colour & textures of the Floaty Fluted Collar Dress pictured above. Doesn't it make you long for chilly winter evenings?

Doily necklace (AUD $49.50) and Doily pop-out earrings (AUD $39.50) both in cherrywood with gold veneer by limedrop

The limedrop fashion range is both contemporary and wearable - and you know I adore the cherrywood accessories! There is so much energy in this label. Clea & Nathan are a clever pair and I can't wait to see where the fashion world takes them!

T-rex necklace in cherrywood, AUD $49.50 by limedrop          GRRRRRR

The limedrop tree branches out to the following locations:
NSW: Our MishMash (Bondi), Via Alley (reopening in Surry Hills, March 2009), Pigeon Ground Records & Clothing (Camperdown)
VIC: Milly Sleeping (Carlton, Melbourne), Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne), In the Woods (Northcote, Melbourne), Lady Boutique (Melbourne City), Pussycat Black (Brunswick, Melbourne),
WA: Atlas Devine (Perth), Ruck Rover (Perth)
QLD: Outpost (Brisbane)
ACT: itrip iskip (Canberra)
ONLINE: Pitbull Mansion
INTERNATIONAL: Slick Willys (Dunedin, New Zealand), Iko Iko (Wellington & Auckland, New Zealand), Epitome (Singapore), Actually (Singapore), Tomodachi (Indonesia)

...and of course, they can be found online at www.limedrop.com.au!

I hope you all had a wonderful break over the holidays! We took some time off over Christmas followed by a camping holiday at Depot Beach (near Bateman's Bay, NSW). As you can imagine, we've returned feeling much refreshed and a little over-excited once again about all things indie...

Guess who has launched a shiny new online store? The well-known & much loved Ruck Rover General Store! Ruck Rover began in 2006 when sisters Claire & Isabelle decided it was time to work for themselves doing what they wanted, playing any music they liked and buying everything they loved.

Well.. they've spent the last two years selling all those things they love, supporting small, independent designers from Australia and all over the world, and making quite a name for themselves in the process.

Outskirts Opulent tee (left) & Broken Eyes tee (right), AUD $69 each.

Ruck Rover General Store has offered the folk of Perth a truly unique shopping experience, and now they've made it a whole lot easier for the rest of us to join in... and look at what I found! The illustrations of Melbourne's Dylan Martorell are incredible, and featured on the Outskirts t-shirts pictured above and below.

Outskirts Fox tee (left, AUD $69) & Ruck Rover Hearts top (right, AUD $20)

My pick of the girls' fashion is the Ruck Rover summer lovin' top (above right), which just happens to be an absolute steal at the moment - reduced from AUD $88 to only $20! Plenty of love there...

Moe Moe earrings, L to R: Flight earrings, Ruck Rover Bird earrings, Tricycle earrings - AUD $29.95 each pair.

Moe Moe earrings are always a favourite, and if you're wondering about those birdies - YES, they are the Ruck Rover signature chirpers.

Sunday Morning Old Map and Plants exercise books, AUD $15 each.

More Dylan Martorell illustrations on these Sunday Morning exercise books containing graph paper pages. I really want some of these for myself, and at AUD $15, they definitely won't break the budget.

Pop over to www.ruckrover.com.au & choose your own favourites from Ruck Rover's selection of womens, mens & babies fashion and accessories, stationery and homewares. Or if you live in Perth, drop by in person to
Shop 4, 595 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, WA, 6050.

Phone: (08) 9228 3502.

It's out!! We've been eagerly awaiting this years' edition of the Bob Boutique catalogue, and it arrived in my post office box just a couple of days ago... It is bursting with delight, but before I get too carried away though, I should make some introductions. For those of you who haven't heard, Bob Boutique is an independent boutique and gallery in the heart of Bendigo (near Melbourne). Owner & fellow artist/designer Sonia Brit first opened the doors to Bob Boutique in 2004. Located in the Hotel Shamrock building, the atmosphere is a mix of old world charm with the cute and kooky, quaint and quirky...

The adjoining gallery space showcases work by new labels and unique artists. Recent exhibitions have included animation cell prints by Melbourne artist Wendy Tyrer, ink & watercolour works by Bendigo artist Logan French, storybook inspired prints by London's Mandy Sutcliffe (AKA Belle and Boo)and hand printed works by Griffith artist Kristy Brown.

Currently showing are original works, badges, stationery and fashion from Sydney designer Akina's recent trip to Japan. The Akina exhibition closes on December 20, so if you're in Bendigo, be quick!

Next up at the Bob Boutique gallery will be yours truly! (I'm currently working on a selection of original paintings to accompany our series of Non-Fiction Family Portrait prints. I'll tell you more closer to the date!)

Bob Boutique has a large mailorder following, so each year Sonia puts together a tempting catalogue for the out-of-towners... Titled "Amazing adventures in the land of bob", the catalogue is packed full of products you'll LOVE. Around 80% of labels are Australian, including many favourites such as A Skulk of Foxes, Princess Tina, Stickmeon, Young Eve, Love, Drink Me Alice, Jewelree, Zeph and Millie, Mikiya, Button Tree, Mingus, Fable 15, Two Little Ducks, Akina, Dirt Child, Pocket Art, Alma B, Moe Moe, Twitch Toys & more...

I have a few spare copies of the Bob Boutique catalogue to post to the first three people who leave a comment on this post & I'll pop a couple of our Non-Fiction greeting cards in too :)

Visit the Bob Boutique web site & register as a member to be sent a copy of the catalogue, and be kept up to date with happenings in the land of bob!

Bob Boutique is located at:
17 Williamson Street, Bendigo, VIC, 3550.
Ph. 03 5444 3522
www.bob.net.au