May marks the month of the annual Australian Fashion Week — the largest, most influential fashion event in the Asia-Pacific region. Held at Sydney’s Carriageworks venue, the event features the industry’s biggest names alongside the next generation of Australian designers. To celebrate the most exciting event on Australia’s fashion calendar, we’ve rounded up nine local Perth designers worth writing home about.
Ten Local Perth Designers We Love
FLANNEL
Kristy Lawrence is up there with Perth’s most famous designers and success stories. Now known as the face behind the FLANNEL empire, Kristy’s journey began in 2006 when she curated a chic loungewear collection that could easily transition from the home to the streets, without compromising on style or comfort. Her appreciation for simple luxury, natural beauty, and the West Australian lifestyle is reflected in her choice of refined colours, fabrics, and silhouettes. This affinity for effortless elegance and exquisite finishes remains the foundation of Kristy’s beautifully crafted, keepsake pieces.
Poppy Lissiman
Poppy Lissiman is another Perth-born designer who started her eponymous label in 2008, originally as a ready-to-wear brand. In 2014, she pivoted from apparel to accessories and launched her first e-commerce store. Poppy Lissiman is known for her high-quality, eye-catching designs, made exclusively using cruelty-free, faux leather materials. The brand has also incorporated fabrics made from recycled plastics — which would be otherwise destined for landfill — into many of the handbags.
Natalie Rolt
Named after the brand’s founding director and designer, Natalie Rolt is an independent fashion label, designed, developed, and made in Australia. Since its establishment in 2012, Natalie Rolt has become one of Perth’s most famous designers. After growing exponentially from a tiny stall in the Fremantle Markets to a boutique in Applecross, which later moved to North Fremantle, and now, Subiaco, she’s become renowned for her evening, bridal, and resort wear collections. Inspired by the female silhouette, every garment is designed with a timeless perspective, and some have even been worn by some of the world’s biggest names, including the likes of Bella Hadid, Shanina Shaik, and Natasha Oakley.
Zanzis Bridal Couture
Zanzis’ design philosophy revolves around the belief that every bride deserves a custom gown as exceptional as she is. With creative director and one of Perth’s best designers, Jennifer Naglan at the helm, the label is about celebrating individuality and love. The Claremont-based studio is dedicated to making every bride feel like the most beautiful version of themselves. So you can expect timeless, elegant, and high-quality gowns aplenty.
REMI
REMI is the dream turned reality of mother-daughter duo, Carilyn and Remi Lane, who blended their shared passion for vintage fashion. Together, they created REMI, pouring their love for timeless charm and unique flair into every piece. Their mission is about curating a wardrobe that transcends the transient tides of trends, with ethically made, limited-quantity pieces. Each design aims to infuse the elegance of vintage eras — with nods to the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s — into the contemporary while empowering individuals to express their unique stories.
Khirzad
Born in Afghanistan, Nilofar Khirzad is the founder and creative director of eponymous luxury brands Khirzad and Khirzad Femme. When she was just five years old, her family packed all of their belongings and fled the Taliban-led war and migrated to Perth without a word of English. Since then, her passion for fashion has developed into a King Street store that’s become the go-to destination for refined European-inspired menswear in Perth. Here, you can expect exotic prints and patterns in the form of perfectly tailored, fine-quality pieces that ooze an ultra-cool factor.
Wild Horses
After studying fashion full-time at TAFE, designer Natalie Donovan founded Wild Horses in 2012. She originally started by making beaded jewellery — which became immensely popular — and then evolved into a women’s clothing brand. These days, Wild Horses is a label, made with luxe fabrics and ageless designs that take you from day to night. Think beautiful billowy dresses and garments with pockets that are wash and wear proof. Driven by sustainability and longevity, Wild Horses produce small collections that can be loved beyond each season, to eliminate unwanted clothing.
Mae Club
Founded by Eloise Long in 2021, Mae Club is an Australian fashion label with a mission to empower women. The label is all about timeless and classic silhouettes that incorporate unique custom prints. We’re talking about everything from dresses and skirts to tops, jumpers, and blazers. Mae Club’s slow fashion approach is also guided by a strong commitment to sustainability, producing only limited quantities to minimise the environmental footprint.
The Salty Blond
Owned by dynamic duo Tayla Stewartt and Lochlan Callaghan, The Salty Blond is a sustainable vintage surf and lifestyle brand. In a world full of trends, the label is all about standing out and being comfortable in the process. Here, you’ll find colour, so much colour, peppered across women’s, men’s, and children’s clothes. Taylor first started her online store in 2019, and now designs all her own pieces with a deeper meaning.
Mountain and Moon
Inspired by shared adventures, Mountain and Moon are all about crafting exquisite pieces that transcend culture, style, and eras. Ashton and Audrey describe their designs as strong, sexy, and forward with a high-quality and timeless aesthetic. Mountain and Moon is made for women who love to make a statement. They believe that more is more, and love to elevate their outfits with glamorous statement jewels.
