Sustainable Luxury Basics

It’s no secret that I am a friend and fan of Aicha Robertson of The Fashion Heist. We have collaborated on several shoots, so when she told me about her new clothing line, I was excited to see what this talented lady had in store. Of course this meant organising a photo shoot to give you a sneak peek of the new line! This was a fun and spontaneous shoot and I hope you love the results as much as I do.

Her label, The Great Beyond, created with partner, Nick Azar, focuses on beautifully soft basics created with sustainability in mind, using bamboo fabric. Even the colours are named to reflect the environmental focus: cloud, stone and night. Coming soon to an online store near you.

The Great Beyond’s vision is to create sustainable goods that compliments the fashion forward women or man and our environment.

A message from: THE GREAT BEYOND

Basics with a green twist, designed in Australia.

Australian fashion label The Great Beyond supplies the essentials your wardrobe needs all year round with the help of bamboo fabric. The Great Beyond’s vision is to create sustainable goods that compliments the fashion forward women or man and our environment. Each piece has been designed in Queensland, Australia referencing the classic styles you love and know.

Launch Collection: The Classics Collection

The Classics collection is here to stay for forever and a day, with a range of 12 designs available in four different colours. The Great Beyond works with a simple formula of expanding from your Classic Shirt into four garments with a simplistic design that will fit into your everyday outfit.

The Great Beyond’s Classics collection is for everyone who loves a classic tee to the simple black maxi dress. With our favourite four colours, cloud, night, stone and deep blue.

Thanks to Emerge Events, Ally Dunlop (stylist and partner in Rendezvous PR) and I, had a front row seat at the Emerging Designers show at the Teneriffe Festival. The Fashion Precinct transformed London alley, which included a fake grass runway with a white picket fence, VIP tables and Alfred and Constance’s pop-up bar.

Local talent was on display as part of the emerging designers showcase. The structured monochrome designs of Hungry Wolf the Label juxtaposed against the feminine, flowing designs of Anna Hulm, Ivy Rose Design Studio and Harriette Hill to the bright, futuristic cuts of Anessa.jai The Label.

We also bumped into Natalie from Interlaced Media.

Anna Hulm

Inspired by dance, Anna Hulm’s colourful designs are a perfect fusion of style and comfort. With soft, flowing silk her dresses are perfect for Brisbane’s warm climate.

Hungry Wolf The Label

Hungry Wolf The Label is dedicated to the elements, strong with a touch of edge to its collections. This collection featured geometric lines and a warm looking, looped cardigan/jacket, perfect for this cooler weather.

Ivy Rose Design Studio

Ivy Rose Designs are conceived on the beautiful Fraser Coast. This collection showcased evening wear with sexy, flattering cuts and a monochromatic palette.

Anessa.jai The Label

This Brisbane based designer, brightened up the runway with light-catching metallics, and geometric colour blocking to showcase their futuristic collection.

Harriette Hill

Harriette Hill is ethically and sustainably manufactured in Australia, minimizing their environmental footprint. Designer, Claire Goldsworthy is also a partner in Emerge Events, who organised the Fashion Precinct and are committed to showcasing Brisbane’s emerging fashion talent.

I found this location six months ago and thought it would be perfect for an early morning shoot, which are more accessible during the winter months as the sun rises later (I’m not really a morning person). It was a small team, only three of us, Ally Dunlop (talented stylist, hair and makeup artist) and gorgeous model, Holly Susan Leong, who I had not met before the shoot, but I had seen her sassy style on the runway at Undress Brisbane.

When we arrived at the location, just before dawn, there was a beautiful fog over the paddock and I was so excited to shoot, I was jumping around trying to hurry the styling of the first look. In those minutes just before the sun rose, the light was very soft and the fog on the paddock painted a magical scene. Then the sun came out in full bloom and bathed Holly in a lovely warm light. This shoot is the reason I love photography because it allows you to explore many different locations, experiencing amazing scenes that take your breath away.

Thanks to Whim Magazine for publishing our shoot in their latest online issue. Make sure you follow them on Facebook for more amazing photography and fashion by talented locals.

Although it was a cold winter morning, Holly embraced it, looking amazing in hand-made bralettes by Mirandalee Intimates and an Evelyn Curtis skirt.

Credits

Photographer: Yolanda van Kimmenade

Hair, makeup and stylist: Ally Dunlop

Model: Holly Susan Leong

Clothing

White skirt & bralette
Mirandalee Intimates bralette
Asos sheer maxi skirt
Dotti Faux Fur Vest

Black skirt & bralette
Mirandalee Intimates Bralette
Evelyn Curtis maxi skirt
Sportsgirl Faux Fur Coat

Thanks to Brisbane’s ROMM Magazine, my photo was featured on the cover of their May 2014, party issue! Full editorial images coming soon…

In the meantime I asked editor, Zara Duffy a few questions to discover more about her digital magazine and creative inspiration.

5 Minutes with Zara Duffy, editor of ROMM Magazine

Why did you start ROMM Magazine?

I started ROMM as another creative outlet for Brisbane creatives. So often we hear about the art and culture of other cities, but not of our own!

As the editor of ROMM what do you look for in submissions?

I look for submissions that are unique, fit the theme, and were made by young creative with something new to offer!

What inspires you?

It sounds very cliche, but I am inspired by everything! Studying photography and art at university taught me how to be inspired by arbitrary things, as well as looking broadly for inspiration in fields other than your own.

What is your creative outlet?

My creative outlet at the moment is the label I’m working on!

How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style is a mix of op shop, vintage and local labels.

How would you describe Brisbane’s creative aesthetic?

Brisbane has a very interesting creative aesthetic – it is constantly changing. There are so many exciting newcomers alongside many well-established creatives, so it is quite balanced as well!

Last year I interviewed Claire Goldworthy who is the designer of Brisbane based, sustainable label, Harriette Hill. Her designs have been featured at Fashion Fridays and Undress Brisbane and uses a range of repurposed, antique, new and natural fabrics to minimise her environmental footprint.

Harriette Hill’s vintage, floral patterns on flowing dresses spoke to me of a hot, summer afternoon at the beach, with a light breeze blowing the soft fabric and the golden sun glistening on tanned skin.

I assembled an amazing team and we drove down to the Gold Coast on a sunny afternoon to create this editorial! With Cassandra Green (a fun, intelligent model with a gorgeous smile), stylist Ally Dunlop and makeup by Bek Kemp we had a great afternoon and were even blessed with perfect golden hour sunlight for our final beach shots.

Thanks to this amazing team!

Model: Cassandra Green @Sass Management Brisbane

Makeup artist: Bek Kemp on Facebook and Instagram

Fashion and hair stylist: Ally Dunlop checkout her portfolio, Facebook and Instagram

Photographer: Yolanda van Kimmenade check out my portfolio, Facebook and Instagram

Harriette Hill clothing featured: Floral Drape Kimono Jacket, Frosting Mini Dress, Ace of Cards Dress, Purple Blossom Maxi Dress.

I was pretty excited to be invited to the Topshop launch evening as I have visited the store in New York and Sydney and couldn’t wait to have one so easily accessible in Brisbane!

It was a night of shopping, drinks and canapés to celebrate the launch of the massive triple level Topshop store in Brisbane City. The store houses Topshop for the ladies and Topman apparel including Topshop Boutique and Topman suiting as well as accessories, makeup, footwear petite and maternity.

There were so many fashionable attendees including designers, stylists and bloggers. Pictured above is the lovely Jessica-Rosaria Campbell (left), Brisbane model, and Gabby Waller of The Luxuriant (right) having a look at the personal shopping facilities.

It was surprising to see winter stock in the store, especially when the air conditioning didn’t seem to be coping with the large number of people in the store. The personal shopping area was the coolest (literally) place in the store and included a beautifully appointed lounge area.

One of the lovely sales assistants wearing a sparkly cropped top I had my eye on!

Although I usually prefer not to be photographed, my sister, Alisha van Bone and I decided to strike a pose. Although christmas is coming I couldn’t help but splurge and buy 2 dresses on the night!

My gorgeous blogger friends, Ally Dunlop of Wanderlusting Blog (left) and Ashleigh of The Blonde Silhouette rockin’ the animal print (right).

Amber Lowther (left) is a blogger at Fashion Avenue and Aicha Robertson (right) is a personal shopper at Topshop, a model and blogger at The Fashion Heist .

Attending a fashion show with these two lovely ladies, Ashleigh from The Blonde Silhouette and Amber from Fashion Avenue is always a pleasure! We were treated to front row seats at the Brisbane Designer Fashion Show, in the historic Old Museum with its warm wooden floors and high ceiling. The fashion show was put together by Niki Teljega who’s label, of the same name, closed the show with her couture gowns.

Showcasing a wealth of Australian talent on the runway with designers like La’Or, Charlie Brown, Lipoa Threads and Erin Hassall Designs. With an abundance of flowing summer dresses in bold prints and sparkling evening gowns, this was a feast for the eyes!

La’Or

This is the third time I have seen La’Or at a recent fashion show, first at RAW Brisbane – Translations and then at Undress Brisbane and each time I am transfixed by the way their garments sparkle on the runway. La’Or clothing is made ethically by skilled artisans in Cambodia who hand-loom and hand-dyed the beautiful silk fabrics.

Lipoa Threads

I met the lovely Kristy from Lipoa Threads at a Shop Late event a few months ago and purchased one of her bright yellow, African inspired beaded necklaces. It was exciting to see her fashion collection on the runway, pairing African inspired  accessories with colourful dresses, tops and shorts.

Being a child of Africa, surrounded by bold culture, textures and vibrant colour it is hard not to be inspired.
- Lipoa Threads.

Kaftan Queen

Kaftan Queen showcased their bold printed, beautifully embellished kaftans which invoked summer memories of lazing by the pool, cocktail in hand. The garments are hand-crafted and sustainably sourced.

Howard Showers

The Howard Showers design philosophy is focused on original prints and premium quality fabrics that keep evolving every season.
- Howard Showers

JK Couture

JK Couture is a Queensland based designer who specialises in made-to-measure evening and bridal wear.

Erin Hassall Designs

I recently met the lovely Erin at a Shop Late event (where she was sharing a space with Lipoa Threads) and saw her collection on the runway at MBFF’s emerging designer fashion show. It is exciting to see Erin Hassall Designs continue to evolve and garner more exposure. Her collection includes beautiful prints on flowing dresses and kaftans which are perfect for our Queensland weather. Erin sources fabrics from all over the world but hand makes the garments in Brisbane.

Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown is an iconic Australian brand with a long history in the fashion industry. She favours bold colours and animal prints which compliment with her sexy, edgy aesthetic.

Niki Teljega

Niki Teljega, who was the architect of this event, closed the show with her couture gowns. Featuring plenty of sparkles and some risqué cuts, her colour palette featured black, white, gold and silver giving cohesion to her collection.

Only someone of imposing stature can make a great dane look like a normal sized dog, and Aicha (of The Fashion Heist) achieves this with ease! Pairing Aicha with Levi, the monochromatic Great Dane to shoot local designer, Jessica Tovey’s collection was the perfect choice to showcase Jessica’s strong, edgy clothing. Her pieces are tailored to perfection and she is one up-and-coming designer to watch, recently showcasing some of her new collection at Capulet Bar Fashion Fridays.

Collaborating with the very talented Charlotte Reeves, pet photographer, who is a close friend and mentor, and local makeup artist Amy-Louise Blair, made this shoot a fun and educational experience.

Shooting at the Commissariat Store Museum, (thanks to the Royal Historical Society of Queensland) in the historic area of Brisbane city was the perfect juxtaposition to Jessica Tovey’s modern, structured clothing.

On a location scouting afternoon Charlotte and I discovered Brisbane’s historic district and found this amazing building, which was built by the Commandant of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony and is the only convict built building in Brisbane still in daily use. Exploring the lower levels which are still in their original condition is like stepping back in time.

Two of the faces of Undress Brisbane: Aicha Robertson and Jazmin Foster-Macready after stomping it out on the runway.

Predress could not have prepared you for the 2013 Undress Brisbane sustainable fashion runway. It was an eye opening evening, with 3 runway sessions to fill, Undress Brisbane brought out amazing designer after designer.

Runway 1 featured street wear, runway 2 showcased delicate intimates and comfortable sports wear and for the finale, runway 3 showcased gorgeous evening wear.

The bar was serving delicious organic cocktails and the runway seats were filled with Brisbane’s fashion elite. The length of the runway was extraordinary and, while giving the models a good workout, it also gave the attendees plenty of time to see the garments. Lit with soft blue lights and decorated with tree branches and leaves, this was a truly unique runway experience.

The fact that so many designers are committed to weaving sustainability into their production is extremely important for the future of our planet and sends a strong message to the rest of the fashion industry. Here is only a small sample of the talented designers and fashionable attendees from the evening.

Fabled and True

Vintage, pre-loved or re-purposed floral and lace fabrics and ladylike silhouettes are Fabled and True’s signature look. Handmade in Brisbane, each Fabled and True piece is designed and made with a love of vintage and days gone by.

La’Or

La’Or clothing sparkled on the Undress Brisbane runway! This label represents high fashion created in an ethical way, where the fabrics include one-off silk pieces, hand-loomed and hand-dyed in Cambodia making each garment unique.

Gemma Anastasiou

Gemma Anastasiou practices sustainable design within high fashion as a means of pushing innovative ideas and creative solutions for the future of fashion.

Glory Box

Glory Box is the destination in Brisbane for unique and vintage garments, shoes and accessories.

Harriette Hill

Harriette Hill are ethically and sustainably created – handmade by real people in Brisbane using a combination of recycled, repurposed, vintage and natural fabrics to minimise their footprint in the fashion industry.

Koru Swimwear

Koru Swimwear is made from eco-friendly fabrics with recycled materials and bulk dyed fabric processed without water waste or water pollution.

Madonna Bain Eco Intimates

Beautiful and luxurious, Madonna Bain Eco Intimates are made from organic and eco-friendly textiles! These eco textiles are not only gentle on the environment, but they are also renowned for their super soft and luxurious feel.

Nico Underwear

Nico Underwear minimises their impact on the environment and makes all of their garments in Australia under ethical conditions. Their materials are sustainably sourced and made to last! Comfort and sustainability? What’s not to love!

What could be more fun than screen printing your own t-shirt?

Tuffys and Tuffets

Tuffys and Tuffets underwear is fashionable, fun and 100% Australian Made. Offering men and women of all shapes and sizes a number of on-trend designs from briefs to boxers, bras and leggings.

Ties and Whimsy

Ties and Whims create “Ties For Her” which are created from vintage and recycled materials, adding a sense of history and uniqueness to each piece.

Habitude

Habitude aims to supply unique and limited edition handmade garments. The fabric is printed digitally using pigment-based colourants, enabling the company to order small quantities of fabric and therefore reduce wastage.

Anna-Lisa Wiklund

Anna-Lisa Wiklund fashion design, handmade in Brisbane.

De Lore Couture

Sustainable men’s clothing made locally and ethically in Australia and New Zealand by De Lore Couture.

Jasmin, Jon (co-creator of handmade jewellery and homewares label Sconnie and Jam) and Emma.

RAW Brisbane is a platform for emerging creatives to showcase their talents. Whether you’re into fashion, photography, art, dance or music – there is something to inspire everyone at RAW. This is the second time BNE Style has attended RAW, (the RAW Generation showcase was the last time) and the calibre of artists and performers was just as amazing as last time!

The showcase is displayed across two levels with all live acts (including the fashion parade) down on the main level with art spread across both levels. The Funktion Photo Booth was especially fun and worth the 10 minute wait to get inside and snap some silly photos!

Fellow Brisbane blogger Claire (far right) from Fashion Sweethart and her friends enjoying RAW!

Vanessa Friscia (centre) and partner (left) performed an amazing contemporary dance routine on the night, leaving audiences spellbound and silent. Vanessa Friscia and Tammi T (right) are dance teachers at Mad Dance House, Tammi T’s Saturday beginner class is always heaps of fun!

RAW Art

Hungry Designs

Meet Amanda from Hungry Designs who is an illustrator, jewellery designer and all round lovely lady! From pin up girls to fierce zombies and ghouls, her wearable art collection is expansive! I love her mounted animals series, especially this triceratops wall mount, too cute.

Photographers Michelle Fleur and Genevieve Althea

Meet Michelle Fleur (left )and Genevieve Althea (right), two of the talented Brisbane photographers who showcased their amazing work at RAW.

Genevieve Althea - loves noticing the small things and even using herself as the subject in her work.

Michelle Fleur - takes romantic, sun drenched fine art images and also does portrait work.

RAW Fashion

Anna Hulm

Anna Hulm creates divine silk dresses, inspired by dance which represent a fusion of style and comfort.

Infidel The Label

Infidel The Label is a Brisbane based, ethically responsible label for the fierce warrior inside us all!

Undral

Undral is the label by young Brisbane designer Undral Altan, her prints are playful and her feminine designs are flattering to all shapes.

La’Or

La’Or sparkled on the runway! This label represents ethical fashion, where the fabrics include one-off silk pieces, hand-loomed and hand-dyed in Cambodia making each garment unique.