DARWIN isn’t exactly known as a sartorial capital, but the city’s casual style is a source of inspiration for Fitzroy fashion label Limedrop. One half of the label, Clea Garrick, comes from Darwin, and although she’s been in Melbourne for five years, her hometown continues to inspire her work.
‘‘It’s a very relaxed lifestyle and it definitely brings a kind of casual aspect to our designs,’’ she says.
Garrick and business partner Nathan Price formed the label almost six years ago, and are using strong colours and unusual proportions to make an impact on the Melbourne fashion scene.
‘‘We have a really distinctive style but we try and cater for wide markets.’’
The label will continue its evolution as it prepares to take part in a fashion and art collaboration in Collingwood called Penthouse Mouse as part of next month’s L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Now in its sixth year, the event focuses on avant-garde and emerging labels from around Melbourne, and exhibits in unconventional settings such as old warehouses or former restaurants. This year’s crop of designers includes Alistair Trung, Di$count, Ellison, Kings of Carnaby, Leonard St, The Social Studio, Upper Left Arm and more. Local accessory labels, including Alexandra Blak and JK Kirk will also be represented, plus a host of emerging artists who have created works under this year’s theme of Machinery and Technology.
Over seven days, this year’s location, a former warehouse in Collingwood, will host parties, runway shows, pop-up shops and a live photo shoot. Limedrop has taken part in every Penthouse Mouse event. For Garrick, the collaborative focus is appealing for a young label.
‘‘I think that it’s a really unique way to show our range. It gets empty warehouses and brings them to life with installations and industrial designers and of course fashion designers. It’s completely different,’’ she says.
At this year’s event, Garrick and Price will focus on their new lingerie label, Elle De by Limedrop.
‘‘It’s a range of nude and black – really classic stuff. We’ll also have an installation, which will be draped and will include the nude and black colours. And then we have our Limedrop range which is a little bit more colourful.’’
As for the label’s future, Garrick says the Limedrop look will continue to be refined. ‘‘I guess what we’re doing is trying to understand who the Limedrop customer is and trying to be part of their life.’’
Penthouse Mouse runs from March 2 to March 9. For more information, visit Penthouse Mouse.
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