Interview with: Alice Nightingale

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.