Designer Brisbane - the Loft

I put my hat in the ring for being the fashion blogger for Broadway on the mall and as such I had to go in there and interview shops to get their perspective on their shops ethos...
I found awesome shops in there on the second and top floor. A bit of a maze to get around it all but still a little adventure if you have the time to let it unfold.

Natalie Denning is a machine, she has the Loft - ladies wear, Dirtbox menswear and Bessie head. Her collection of designs in all her shops are so desireable you want to sell your house and use all your capital to have those clothes. But to be honest unless you go there when there is a sale I don't see how the average person who wants a little something new regularly would be able to go there regularly. On and off over a year maybe 2 or 3 times maybe but not exceptionally regular. So put your name down on their mailing list and run to them when they have a sale on. Rachel Gilbert is so my favourite designer right now, that woman has it all covered and if she isn't the next big thing from Australia then that would only be a crime..

I could rattle about these shops as they are a big step in style for Brisbane. Including on the ground floor where Scotch and Soda are, it is like walking into a big warm walk in wardrobe with all your favourites in there. There are staples in such cool fabrics and colours and mostly natural fibres. Hurry with them though they are moving away from those as their main port of call which I hope they don't go too far down that track.. Divine pieces, a step out of the usual for you staples. Men and Women can shop in there side by side and come out feeling that retail satisfaction.. Most of their designs are pretty reasonable but some are definitely up there.

The rest of the Broadway Mall well, it goes from this high end to well Just Jeans and this discount store that has mainly synthetics and so many copies of each you would be afraid to buy anything in fear of being a carbon copy of the cheap and nasty. Sorry have to be brutal here, even though I liked some pieces the fabric was cheap and there were too many of the same thing there..

This is where my label and other hand made and local designers, I feel fills a need, that middle road fashion. Awesome uniqueness without insane prices to be different.. There are some amazing designers at local handmade markets like Etsy sellers at Bris Style events, soon to Laneway markets on the first Saturday of the month in Winn Lane where the Flamingo Cafe is. Also at places like Portside Markets (2nd and 4th Sunday) and of course the Young Designer Markets on the first Sunday of each month. So support the little guys and be unique, it will be easier on your wallet and give you diversity that isn't always available in stores..

Then from the money you save from shopping there you can go to Bessie Head and Scotch and Soda and be decadent for a day and not feel guilty..

Make your dollar and your style count..
Irene