Ask me anytime about one of my favorite destinations and I will always include Melbourne, Australia. I’m writing to you fresh from another sojourn from The Great Down Under to catch the President Cup, where I watched Tiger Woods and of course, a bit of shopping.
Anyone in the fashion industry will tell you Australia is always where you can find the next trend. Melbourne, in particular, is Australia’s fashion capital.
With this in mind, I’m going through my favorite Australian fashion brands: their story, style, and where to get them.
Zimmerman is one of my top picks. It carries a “made for women, for women” mantra. Fans of the brand include Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, and Ashley Graham. Their selection every season has fun and flirty dresses along with power ensembles. They also got one-piece swimsuits, bralettes, pants, and more to help you play around with your looks.
A show-stopper during fashion week is Dion Lee. It’s highbrow, minimalist but also with sensuality. It’s for the woman with sophistication and also a purpose. Just last September, Vogue was pleased with the pocket bustier with actual pockets and details that signified the brand’s cool factor.
What’s a fashion list without a serious brand of activewear. PE Nation delivers lightweight running spray jackets, high-neck racerback sports bras, scuba style shapewear leggings, and basketball infused mesh knitwear pieces. It’s for that woman who is constantly active and on-the-go. But at the same time, it looks fashion-forward.
Find Zimmerman, Dion Lee, and P.E. Nation locally at Distinqt, Shangri-la at The Fort.
For a brand approved by Jennifer Lopez, Rachel Bilson, and Gigi Hadid, click on Alice McCall. It’s signature take on detailed dresses make for a closet staple from day to night. I doubt you won’t find anything that suits your mood, style, or occasion from the brand.
Bec + Bridge embodies the girl unbothered. She’ll do her own thing when others are chasing after the fleeting trend. Their collections, which have captured an international market, feature innovative party dresses and chic separates in f vibrant color palettes.
Approaching 10 years in fashion, By Johnny is a brand that’s received early success. Johnny Schembri label is all the concept of sexy. The clothes are for the modern woman who dares. It’s no surprise since Schembri names Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, and Tom Ford as influences.
C/MEO Collective stands for the woman who “interprets the garments in her own way, which is an empowering motive for the design team to consistently strive for new heights.”
Siham Elmawey, the head designer of the brand is a good example of such a woman. She got the coveted job at just 22 years old. With directional prints, premium fabrics and innovative silhouettes, C/MEO Collective brings Australian fashion to the world with stockists in the UK, Japan, and the Middle East.
Camilla and Marc is an impressive brand. Independent and family-run, they have quickly expanded into different lines including Swim, Denim, and Ready To Wear. I find the clothes a mix of couture and fine engineering with that much-needed edge.
Born in Australia, based in Paris, and made Italy, the Ellery Woman is multi-faceted. It’s decisive and avant-garde aesthetic is the reason why it’s a go-to by fashion insiders. You’ll always find something of top tailoring from this label.
Tapping into the underground scene is sass & bride. Now two decades strong, the brand is a mix of “ageless spirit connected to a sophisticated and liberating style of relaxation and adornment.” Taking something obscure into something relatable, you can see why it’s spotted in 45 locations across the world.
