TV

Saint Augustine Academy

I breathed a sigh of relief when I first discovered menswear label, Saint Augustine Academy. Since its inception in 2002, the Sydney-based team have risen to cult-status amongst individuals with a keen eye for sophistication and intelligent design. Playing on the lifestyle of a modern rock and roll star, the designers at Saint Augustine Academy are heavily inspired by the rock nouveau ethos that surrounded bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain. Designers Alvin Manalo and Adrian Amores met in the mid-90s whilst studying economics at Macquarie University (not exactly feeling destined for fashion design). As chief designer, Alvin had no fashion design skills before beginning the label, but has since created consistently contemporary and sought-after designs each season. Read more

Friedrich Gray

If you’ve ever wanted to work your alter ego’s dark side without looking like a total emo, now’s your chance. New kid on the block Ben Pollitt is shaking things up with his label Friedrich Gray. And the best part about it? Pollitt’s androgynous range has a little something something for everyone. Read more

T-V

Monika Tywanek and Ingrid Verner are the Melbourne-based designers behind T-V’s boutique label. Read more

Make Believe

As we made our way to the bar at RAFW this year, it was obvious something was going down. A crowd had gathered around what we assumed to be an off-duty supermodel, but as we ordered our white wine spritzers (they were all the rage) it became apparent that this was no ordinary celeb spotting. The fashion pack were salivating over a man wearing what looked to be a life-sized rat dipped in some sort of neon plastic coating. We needed to know who was behind this, and now finally after months of extensive of research the mystery has been solved. The girls responsible for this Zoolander-like moment are Aussie label Make Believe. They coat flowers and toy rats in high-sheen latex to create scene-stealing jewels. Who’s up for a bit of menagerie accessorizing? Read more

Deadly Ponies coin wallet

You’re running for your chosen mode of public transport when suddenly you realise that pocket full of shrapnel you’ve been carrying around for a week is gone. It’s at home in your coin jar, along with the change from last night’s cab ride that claimed your last twenty bucks. We know what you’re thinking: ‘why does this always happen to me?’. Well, we can tell you why, it’s because you don’t have a coin wallet from New Zealand label Deadly Ponies. Their latest collection, Hathor’s Revenge, breaks down the nanna like stigma often associated with a coin carrying device. Using deer and cow hides in nude, grey, black and purple hues, these unique designs will have you paying with coin at every opportunity. But be warned, they’re a real conversation starter.

Maise at Australian Fashion Week

Cult indie label Maise shunned Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and instead went for an off-program showing in a secret inner-city warehouse before the event’s official launch. Inspired by teen flicks from the late 80s and American high school culture, the label’s designer, Claire Greaves, and Sydney styling guru, Ms Fitz, had guests sitting in the bleachers with the venue decked out like a high school gym. Read more