Australian Made: Part 2 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia
Posted: March 21st, 2011Post written by Leah
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The land of children’s fashion design here in Australia is as vast as our glorious country. There are the small, intimate labels, just like our small townships through to internationally recognised designers living abroad that still call Australia home. The spectrum of tastes runs from the bohemian right through to the traditional. There is such a vast point of difference between each label, but what they each have in common is a strong Australian identity.
Today bring you Part 2 of our two part series on Australian labels that design and produce their collections right here in Australia. This is not an easy task: there are few incentives for them to do so; the government offers little support – taxes are high, and subsidies are low – and the benefits of off-shore production promise lower production costs and higher profit margins. It’s true that you may pay a little more for Australian made, but we’re confident that you will be happy with what you receive for it: the knowledge that you are supporting local industry and reducing your carbon footprint, that fair working conditions are in place, and that you are purchasing a high quality product that will take everything that your child dishes out to it and then still be good to go again.
We hope you love these Aussie labels as much as we do. Please show your support and buy a piece or two 
Did you miss’ Australian Made: Part 1 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia’? Catch it here.
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Well Spotted!
Anyone who can pull off a Star Wars themed tee and be totally stylish rather than just geeky is a winner in my book. In the words of the designer behind Well Spotted, the label was created “out of parental joy, expectation & well, frustration!”. Tony Clayton (whose resume includes stints at both Mambo and Macrs), the man behind Well Spotted, always held the belief that if all our big companies take the manufacturing of garments overseas, no one will be able to make even a t-shirt here in Australia. He swore that if ever ventured into creating his own range, he would keep it in Australia. Starting off making slogan tees for adults, Well Spotted somehow morphed into a range for kids (I think son Finbar may have been a bit of the inspiration here), and true to his word, Tony ensured that the entire label was an Australian product. The t-shirts are designed by Tony in his studio in Summer Hill, made in Bankstown and then printed by Tony in Leichhardt. You can find Well Spotted tees at Cornflowerblue and Little Styles or check here for a stockist.
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Cried Wolf
What do you get when you put a newborn baby in the arms of a buyer from General Pants? A whole new funky Australian designed label that’s part surfer style, part skater style and a whole lot of seriously hip. Cried Wolf has some of the funkiest tees and boardies, and all of their t-shirts are designed and printed right here in Australia! How cool is that (now to convince them to make their boardies here too!). Right now you can find super bargains on the past summer range at About A Boy or here for their stockist list.
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One Sunday
“Dreamy days at the beach, long lazy afternoons with friends… one Sunday is a collection full of colour, where elegance rhymes with comfort, carefully chosen cuts and fabrics.” One Sunday is a gorgeous boutique label for tweens 8- 14 that are after something a little refined, age appropriate and totally stylish. Using New Zealand milled jerseys and cottons, the range is then designed, cut and sewn right in here in Australia. Click here for stockists.
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With most of the Australian population living on the coast, it is only reasonable to suspect that a great many of us spend a lot of the summer days at the beach. For those more inland, there are lots of rivers, lakes and dams (or local swimming pools) to keep us cool in the heat as well. Of course, this calls for swimwear that will endure a whole lot of wear, offer SPF 50+ protection and look totally stylish. Designed by Karen Panaretto, formally of Aussie swimwear icon Seafolly, Tkxi Surf is an Australian design and made swimwear label that ticks all three boxes. You can find Tkxi Surf at a number on online boutiques, click here for stockists.
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Members of the Justice League in the Wiggles Big Red Car; A Batman Shadow Puppet; Darth Vadar joins the Green Side (found riding on a bike)….these are just some of the super cool prints to find their way onto the tees and jumpers of Electric Boy’s Winter 2011 range. With a label who describes their inspiration behind their name in these words: “I really really love The Mighty Boosh, especially Princey Vincey!! But I couldn’t be Electro Boy, so thus born Electric Boy!!” you know you’ve found something very special for your little man. Electric Boy is designed in Australia with all items printed right here in Australia. You can find the label at Cradle Rock, Ten Little Indians and Threads of Red or try their stockist list for a store near you.
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Having studied Art History at uni, then working as both a ceramic artist and hairdresser amongst other jobs, Victoria Crisp became inspired to create the label Brusselsprouts when she was pregnant with her second son. With her husband on the road driving road trains for the mines, Victoria sews at home (and now runs her new B&M shop) in Kalgoorlie, West Australia whilst also balancing her duties as mummy to two gorgeous little boys. The Brusselsprouts range is all about the fabric, so you will find stunning garments that are rather simplistic in style, but absolutely stunning to the eye thanks to the careful selection of materials. Brusselsprouts garments can be purchased at their online store.
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Tiddles & Chich is an Australian designed and made label that release two ranges each year. Creating a range that is somewhat French classic and stylish, yet maintains a modern day aesthetic, Tiddles and Chich has been seen on a bevy of celebrity children including Suri Cruise (not just once either!). Created by Freyr Lennon and Luise Geddes, and later joined by Freyr’s sister Alexis who has returned from the UK after working for The Royal Family and The Conrans, this label produces a spectrum of goodies from play to party for babies to seven year olds. For stockists click here.
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Using luxe fabrics, laces and trims, Little Miss J is a label designed by Jo Lambert whose subtle colour palette and french overtones are perfect for special events, birthdays and for little girls who wish to stand out from the crowd. Proudly made in Australia, the range is perfect for little girls 1-10 years. You will find Little MIss J at Hopscotch Children’s Boutique and The Little Kidz Closet, or you can click here for stockists.
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Are you looking for an exquisite, high end label for your little one that is often found on the catwalk and has a real European flavour. Specialising in exquisite coats and clothing for both boys and girls, Doris Reymond created the label in 2001 and has seen the label blossom to become an Australian boutique favourite. Both designed and made it Melbourne, Australia, any one of the items from the range will bring an element of sophistication to your childs wardrobe. For stockists, please contact Elodie and Elvis directly.
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Based in Brisbane, Sophie’s Lane is the latest label that combines Liberty of London prints with exquisitely designed and tailored dresses for girls 0-3 months to 5 years. Gorgeous yokes, fabric buttons and fully lined with quality cotton, each dress is a piece of art handmade by designer Sam Aloquin with real European styling with a modern twist. Dresses are available for order from their webpage.
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Read Australian Made: Part 1 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia
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Please check individual sites for postage details and browse the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.
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