Supporting homegrown talent is important to us at FIB. Each creative behind Australian fashion separates themselves with their distinctive style and a unique vision.
From local cult designers to iconic powerhouses, each Australian fashion talent forges their brand with a distinctive style and vision – cementing themselves on our local shores and around the world.
Australian designers are innovators, with their origins forged in indulgent Victorian-era styles; soon to make way for more informal styles of swag and bushmen. First Nations design underpins it all; encompassing Australia’s rich history with its unassuming, earthen qualities.
It’s our typical Australian way of life, known for its laid-back relaxed character; synonymous with our carefree spirit which makes the clothes so special.
Homegrown Talent
The creatives behind Australian fashion separate themselves from the global market, with a distinctive style and a unique vision. This holds true for our fashion too. Whilst we may be smaller on a global scale, our strength resides in our signature shapes, sustainable processes, high-quality manufacturing, and adaptable and long-lasting clothing.
Our Australian talent knows how to get it right every time, whether it’s finely crafted resort wear or strong tailoring. Best known for its effortless and elegant aesthetic, Australia also boasts leading independent designers, utilising practices of sustainability and ethics to highlight their brands.
Take a look below at some of our favourite Australian designers.
Toni Maticevski
Toni Maticevski’s vision of feminine aspirations and creative silhouettes withstands the test of time. Over almost two decades, he remains one of the most unnoticed drivers and inspirers of current women’s fashion and design.
Part artist, part romantic, part historian and part futurist, his designs balance these elements, exuding an elegance, both tough and rebellious. Maticevski’s lines stand modestly, stirring and filling the globe with a unique and uncompromising approach to design and the craft of fashion.
His distinctive manipulation of cloth as the sculpture instantly sets him apart. Maticevski envisions fashion as art to wear, as a companion to a life full of beauty.
Anna Quan
Anna Quan is an extraordinary up-and-comer. The designer believes that everyday attire should be memorable and the brand’s philosophy of “less is more” means that each piece is made with the wearer in mind.
Anna Quan’s collections are full of useful yet appealing garments, easily transitioning wearers from day to night, work to play. Using the finest fabrications, she specialises in tailoring and has clothed celebrities including Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss since launching her SS15 collection at Australia’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Anna Quan’s work is all in the details. Whether it’s a well-executed fit, perfectly positioned pockets or immaculate lining. Her work is a favourite of street style bloggers such as Camille Charrière, Yoyo Cao and Amanda Shadforth during New York, London and Paris Fashion weeks. The designer is been featured frequently in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Elle magazine.
Albus Lumen
Editor-turned-stylist-turned-designer Marina Afonina, is the founder of Australian label, Albus Lumen – meaning “white light” in Latin.
The label’s modern designs, made of natural fabrics in muted colours, have an effortless charm that can be worn anywhere from the beach to metropolitan streets. Just ask loyal fans Chloé Harrouche and Lara Worthington; If you mix and match them, you’ll have the ultimate suitcase capsule on your hands.
Bondi-based Afonina will whisk you away to faraway places with these lightweight, minimal styles. The wonderfully created clothing has a soft, female energy, in simple and relaxed shapes.
Albus Lumen clothing is a welcome breath of fresh air. It has a dream-like quality, ensuring that the signature muted palette easily fits into your lifestyle. The timeless styles celebrate tailoring and volume. Whether you’re looking for floor-length dresses, interchangeable separates, oversized knits, its staples are amongst the brand’s characteristic travel pieces.
Ellery
Ellery is women’s clothing with a cutting-edge aesthetic. Kym Ellery’s hallmarks include architectural and bold forms, voluminous and billowing shapes, manly tailoring, novel fabrications, superb cuts, and unexpected accents, to name a few.
Ellery’s indisputable edge is for those looking for a sense of uniqueness, combining artistic ideas with a slightly decadent approach.
Lee Matthews
Lee Mathews draws inspiration for each new collection in the abstract. His use of impressionistic colours, textures, and patterns, as well as art and architecture, guides his stunning craftsmanship.
Matthews’ offering is instantly recognisable, with excellent pleating, feather-light fabrications, and stunning designs. He has a creative eye that is distinctly Australian.
Romance Was Born
Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales first launched the unrivalled RWB (Romance Was Born) label in 2005. Glitzy, opulent, and dramatic collections are synonymous with the brand, where fashion meets art.
Beautiful statement pieces thread the collections together, full of covetable designs, magnificent colour, complex beading, and heavily detailed sequinned embellishments.
Instilling wonder in everything that the label produces, from elaborate beading to the use of vintage textiles, comes naturally to Plunkett and Sales. Whimsical has never looked so nice, resulting in something unique and special every time.
Holiday the Label
Holiday the Label by Emma Mulholland is a maximalist utopia. The designer grew up between Australia and Hawaii and it shows. With characteristic olive checks and smiling hibiscus flowers, the range is an ode to the beach and retro patterns. It’s most well known for its patterned pyjama sets and bold statement trousers.
Hailey Bieber, Emma Chamberlain, and Gigi Hadid are also fans. Holiday the Label strives to reduce waste by using as little fabric as possible, repurposing leftovers as face masks, cushions, plush animals, and scrunchies.
The brand’s print collection includes Hawaiian tourist store florals, zebra, cowhide, cheetah, and even newspaper patterns, in addition to their Insta-famous chequered print. These clothes will lift your spirits on darker days.
Arnsdorf
Arnsdorf is a leading contemporary womenswear brand. Their clothing is created, cut, and made in their Collingwood studio (which has an Ethical Clothing in Australia accreditation).
Transparency, ethical manufacturing, and sustainability are the cornerstones of this modern, womenswear label. The design strikes a balance between design and responsibility, resulting in clothing that has a long-term, positive impact on the world around the wearers.
Arnsdorf’s trans-seasonal, limited-edition designs are sold alongside their year-round line of minimalist, elegant products. The label truly goes above and beyond the point of sale, offering not just professional tailoring but also lifelong repairs on the garments you buy in their Melbourne store.
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