Hello, here is an article on the AMAZING and funky local designers you MUST check out next time you’re on vacay in Brisbane. It is not AT ALL for my own personal shopping list. It is PURELY for work.
But seriously, Brissy is pretty fire when it comes to the incredible talent it produces, so you’ll want to save up a bit of extra spending money. After all, the only travel souvenirs I buy are locally made items, because they’re the perfect memento.
Rachel Burke
This absolute bloody legend legit has a whole collection that essentially makes you one giant tinsel ball, but make it fashion. I MUST own all of it IMMEDIATELY. If I was a rockstar this would be all I ever wore on stage. I’m a little extra, I know it, it’s fine. But honestly, I am dead. This has slayed me. But enough about me.
The talented Rachel is not only a designer but an artist who does some incredible art installations. Her work has been seen on the likes of Kesha, Mindy Kaling, Dannii Minogue, Kate Miller-Heidke, Patience Hodgson, and Kim Chi from Ru Paul’s Drag Race. So yeah she’s kind of killing it.
You’ll often find pop-up stores, so keep an eye out, or you can shop online.
Une Piece
You’ll be in one of the sunniest parts of the world, surrounded by amazing beaches and pools. Obviously, you’ll need some rad swimwear. Just look at these one-pieces from Brissy designer and founder of the label, Carly Brown. As the website says, they’re “born in Australia, inspired by the South of France“. Aka, they’re sophisticated af.
Want a one piece to lounge around on the sand in like the luxurious soul you are? They’ve got you. Want to try your hand at a few water sports? They SOMEHOW made a rashie look way sexy. Into surfing? Guys, they have that covered too.
They don’t have their own IRL store, but you can buy online or head into David Jones QueensPlaza.
Phoebe Paradise
RIP my little 90s soul. It’s honestly like someone reached into my teen wardrobe and I am here for it. And no I wasn’t a teen in the 90s but I stayed true to the aesthetic. Someone please get me those pants immediately, if not sooner.
Designer Phoebe Sheehy, who goes by the alter-ego of Phoebe Paradise aka PP, also just casually adds artist, musician, events co-coordinator, and entrepreneur to her list of talents. She describes her very graphics focused fashion label as “inspired by the details of life that are distinctively Queensland; the grimy cityscape, drinking culture and violence, juxtaposed with the natural beauty that permeates across the state.”
You’ll find the store in the funky corner of Brisbane that is Fortitude Valley.
YCL Jewels
You can never have enough bling bling. Plus it’s always conveniently travel-sized for that carry-on suitcase you brought, amiright? What I love even more thana local designer, is one who actually cares about the state of the world. YCL Jewels are small batch, 100% cruelty-free, manufactured responsibly and the label uses minimal packaging, because environment. That’s a HUGE yes from me.
Who’s handmaking these delicate sophisticated-boho adornments? The designer and creative director, Fabienne. Yes, just one name, like Prince. The best part is they’re all small batch, so whatever you get is super unique. Despite my obvious partiality to big bright shiny things, when it comes to jewellery I’m all about fine. Except for earrings, they can be chunky. Either way, this label is super on brand for me, you’ll love ’em!
I’ll admit, these are designed out of the Gold Coast, but that’s SO close guys. You’ll find the card-only showroom in Currumbin Waters.
Dogstar
Just everybody just stop and look at how boss these designs are. It’s giving me like sexy, strong, sword-fighting vibes. Unconventional, to say the least.
The story behind the label is actually amazing. Japanese-born Masayo Yasuki had just graduated from a Brisbane uni as a business graduate when she grabbed herself a sewing machine and Women’s Day ‘Learn How To Sew’ book from Vinnies to resize some clothes she ordered from overseas. Nek minnit she’s actually super talented at it and starts selling her own designs, and boom, the Dogstar store in Fortitude Valley was born.
“Dogstar does not conform to stereotypical perceptions of beauty,” says Yasuki, “A perfect blend of tailored cuts and an unconventional elegance. Beauty is within the person and design, combined.”
Genkstasy
You had me at jumpsuit, Genkstasy, you had me at jumpsuit. Think of the coolest streetwear you’ve seen, then turn it up to 11, with a little taste of Japanese influence. That’s the kind of cool this Brissy label is serving up.
What I love the most is the idea behind the style. Creative Director, Evie Willsteed, wanted to take unisex clothing that step further and create non-binary fashion to be all-inclusive and “create a fashion label that focuses on bringing joy, colour, and connectedness to people’s lives“. They also use end-of-roll fabrics, aka the leftover stuff that usually goes to waste.
