You can’t go past a gorgeous feminine dress (or maybe that’s just me!)

Since I have become a mumma fashion is much more about function than appearance – is it comfortable and easy to put? Yes. Done.

Yet I wanted to expand my wardrobe from being predominantly active wear (anyone else relate? #mumuniform) – especially for Summer – and thus discovered the most beautiful feminine dresses, which coincidently, are all Australian designers.

So this Summer you’ll find me in less active wear. Instead, rocking flowing floral dresses, that are both beautiful and practical.

Spell & The Gypsy

This brand is delightful. The story began when two sisters joined each other in the idyllic beachside town of Byron Bay, Australia, to continue a journey they’d started together many moons ago, as children. I loved reading their feature in The Collective magazine and how returning to their joy and passion sparked the birth of this label (there is a lesson in that ladies).

As the brand shares, Spell’s flowing, feminine dresses, love of turquoise, florals and age-old-lace whisper to the sisters’ own childhood. Spell taps into that sense of nostalgia, beauty and freedom that so compliments the female spirit. The vibrant, expressive part of you that emerges on vacation, or mid-strut at a festival, Spell brings that spirit to life, wherever you are. What a write up.

Kivari

I was first introduced to this label when I met Kiki at the Amex Idea Exchange where I was seeing the gorgeous Samantha Wills who was wearing her label (and looked stunning as she always does). I jumped on instagram immediately to check out her collection and was instantly a fan. Kirstin (nickname Kiki) grew up near the idyllic beaches of the NSW North Coast of Coolangatta, learning to surf at a young age and being lucky enough to travel at a young age with her family throughout Europe in a brown Kombi van from the age of 4. It was 2010, and on a surf trip to Indonesia, Kivari was born. As Kiki shares on her site, The Kivari woman is full of adventure, wonder and discovery… she is the soul seeker, and doer. Always in pursuit of freedom and a new journey, she wears her worldly bohemian leathers and apparel not just for the soft, free-flowing comfort, but for what it represents to her. 

Faithful The Brand

Whenever I go to Noosa I make a stop on Hastings Street to Bow & Arrow Trading to seek out the latest pieces from Faithfull the Brand. It’s about the only time I shop! Faithfull The Brand was established in 2012 on the Island of Bali, Indonesia by the two friends Australian Sarah-Jane Abrahams & Norwegian Helle Them-Enger. Faithfull the Brand was established in 2012 on the Island of Bali, Indonesia by the two friends (now hubby and wife), Australian Sarah-Jane Abrahams & Norwegian Helle Them-Enger.

The brand has a warm, feminine appeal – is youthful & effortless in design, with a flair of bohemian spirit. They aim to create affordable everyday pieces (I love their mid-range pricing) that are made for chasing the sun. And as Vogue put’s it, ‘Designed for relaxed, off-duty situations and for a real woman on her travels, the beautiful dresses, separates and swimwear are undeniably covetable.

Flattering, stylish pieces that can be thrown into your suitcase and worn without ironing is an appealing’. Um yes. I don’t think I’ve actually pulled out the iron in about six years (and I’m not joking….)

All pieces in the collection are hand-made, hand-printed and hand-dyed in Bali, Indonesia and they pride themselves on ethical working conditions and supporting the local community and economy of Bali.

Auguste

Auguste is a boutique brand founded in 2015 by Ebony Eagles with a clear vision: to transcend trends and instead design future vintage pieces that will be loved for seasons to come.

At home on the east coast of Australia, the brand crafts its ranges to seek out the sun with effortlessly elegant shapes, nostalgic prints and a contemporary coast twist. From easy Sundays by the sea to nights exploring the wearer’s favourite city, Auguste’s collections are made for making memories in.

And let’s applaud this brands ethics, like Faithfull, they do more than just make fashion. A proud member of the 1% For The Planet movement, Auguste is built on a foundation of environmental consciousness with the core belief that all fashion businesses should play a part in designing the best version of the future. At Auguste, it’s not just about the clothes and it never has been. They are trying to create a positive change through the brand for those who want to live an authentic life and raise as much awareness as they can in the process.

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(main image: Spell & The Gypsy)