Brisbane-based fashion label Alice Nightingale have just launched their new spring range, 'Spring Blooms', featuring dreamy dresses, scalloped collars and cosy knits perfect for days spent frolicing in the sun. We caught up with designer Alice Veivers to talk about her latest collection and what she has planned next for the label.

Tell us a little about Spring Blooms. How would you define the style of the collection? 
My new spring range is all very ladylike! The collection is perfect for picnic season; with flowing dresses, pencil prints, handmade cropped jumpers and below the knee plaid skirts.

What was on your mind when you were designing this collection? 
For a long time I had been thinking about a botanical range, inspired by old floral diagrams. After playing around with some sketches, the flower print came together and tied in perfectly with the colours of the Marigold dresses and the lace jumpers I’d been knitting. A few of the designs have also ended up with a ‘1960’s schoolgirl’ vibe to them, which started with a long plaid skirt and grew from there! 

Which fabrics did you work with for this collection? 
Along with my new cotton print, I’ve used soft faille’s that flow beautifully in the Marigold dresses as well as a pure cotton blouse with a scalloped collar. For the first time I’ve also created one of the fabrics from scratch! Using my vintage hand operated knitting machines, the Dahlia jumpers are made from forest green Australian wool that sits softly in delicate lace! 

Prints have always featured in your designs but you've recently started creating your own, will this be something we continue to see in Alice Nightingale collections?  
Yes! I’ve really taken to print design in the past 12 months and plan to keep them coming. The next few seasons have been planned out with prints included and I’ll also be using my watercolour designs in an upcoming artist collaboration!

Do you have a favourite piece from the collection? 
The Sweet Pea dress would have to be my favourite, I put a lot of love into both the print and the pattern design and was so happy with the final result. 

How do you think your label stands out from other young designers in the industry? 
My emphasis, as a designer, has always been on quality. People really notice when a garment is well made and fits perfectly. I was very lucky to have known what I wanted to do from an early age and really loved learning to pattern make and sew. Now, I think my love of handmade fashion and making ‘few of a kind’ pieces helps me to stand out! 

Do you have any exciting plans for the label in the near future? 
I’m currently preparing for my first Melbourne Finders Keepers Market in October! Along with my spring collection, I’ll be bringing down some hand knit pieces and new dresses from my upcoming collaboration with local artist Launa Winship.

To purchase anything from the Spring collection pop over to Alice's etsy store.

It appears that Brisbane is the place to be in terms of creativity these days. With all of these awesome artists, fresh designers and amazing photographers poppin' up out of nowhere, we're starting to think there's something in the water... and we want some! Yellowcake designer, Rachel Burke took ten to answer a few questions and tell us about her latest and loveliest collection, 'Paper Dolls Have Sherbert Dreams'.

How would you describe 'Paper Dolls Have Sherbet Dreams'?
I would describe the collection as a series of garments fit to dress the average girl-superhero! A blur of ruffles, lightening bolts, spots, and hearts, 'Paper Dolls Have Sherbet Dreams' is a candy-coloured extravaganza from start to finish.

How did it all come about?
When I was 17 I did a musical with a kooky girl who told me that one night she "snorted so much Wizz Fizz sherbet, that after a while everybody started to look like paper dolls". The anecdote had a lasting effect on me - laying dormant in my mind until September last year when I found myself looking through Mel Stringers paper-doll-print-outs.  All pastel, cute, and whimsical, the paper dolls made me think of my musical friend's story, and how strange it would be to wander around in a world completely comprised of Mel's pastel hued, paper characters...and how i wanted to make it happen for real! The next step was sending Mel an email, asking her if she would be interested in working with me to develop a collection based on her art.  Delightfully she said 'yes!' and the ball started rolling from there. I designed the collection whilst on the road in America over the Christmas holidays. Whilst traveling, I took the time to really study Mel's work and allow myself to find little parts of her style in the some of the places I visited - from the pastel houses in San Fran to the overalls girls wore to school in Cuba. Upon arriving home I was filled with inspiration, and set straight to work to bring the designs to life! 


What fabrics and materials did you use? 
A number of fabrics used in the collection are patterned silks and taffeta's that I sourced whilst holidaying in New York city. Other fabrics in the collection are cotton-based, many of which I hand painted or embroidered to better embody the unique Mel Stringer style.
  
Do you think you'll continue to collaborate with other artists in the future? 
Yes indeed! I have enjoyed the process so much that I am totally itching to do it again. I already have some ideas up my sleeve... 

How do you feel now that the collection is finally completed and out there for everyone to see? 
It's totally exciting! Whilst there are always the initial jitters of what the public response is going to be, I am personally so chuffed with how it has all come together, and thrilled that Mel Stringer is happy with it too! 

When and where can we get our mitts on your lovely designs? 
These pieces should be heading into Princess Polly stores over the next few weeks! So keep your eyes peeled!

For more on Yellowcake visit Rachel's blog and facebook.