Journal
Join us to Stitch Something with Feeling
New! Limited Edition Merino in ESPRESSO
Jerri wears the Merino Funnel Neck Skivvy in Espresso
One of our classic styles in a delicious new colour way!
Our form fitting Funnel Neck Skivvy is a fantastic streamlined separate for your wardrobe. Crafted from super fine 100% merino wool that is milled right here in Melbourne, our skivvy shape is known for its comfort and style defined by its elegant extended neckline.
We're thrilled to release another Limited Edition colour to you called Espresso which has been custom dyed in a Melbourne House with GOTS approved dye.
We make each piece in our Ethical Clothing Australia certified factory located in Melbourne. Each garment is sewn by one of our incredible machinists that have over 20 years industry experience.
Who Cares Wins by Lily Cole
Many of you will recognise the name and pre-Raphaelite beauty of Lily Cole as a major fashion model of the early 2000's. By the age of 16, Lily had made her first international Vogue cover and was walking the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier, McQueen and Westwood. She was named by French Vogue as one of the top 30 models of the 2000's. Lily moved in to film including Star Wars: The Last Jedi and while she still does the occasional modelling and runway show, her main mission over the last 10 years has been social issues and change.
Lily Cole, photographed by Irving Penn, Vogue, July 2005
In 2013 Lily Cole founded a platform called Impossible, billed as a purpose driven innovation group, building products and designing businesses for the future. Their message is to create sustainable change, going from humans to humanity, to thinking about the planet from a systematic, social and long-term perspective. One of the recent 'Impossible' projects has been with zero waste eyewear company Wires Glasses who use bio plastic from castor beans.
Lily Cole in Wires Glasses
Completing an MA in Art History at Cambridge Lily was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Glasgow in for her contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes through social business.
Her new book Who Cares Wins is to inspire optimism and encourage activism. Lily says "We are the ancestors of our future: a generation that will either be celebrated for its activism or blamed for its apathy. It is for us to choose optimism, to make changes and to create the future we want."
Listen to an interview with Lily Cole on The Business of Fashion here or find out more about her book here.
Stay well from all of us at Arnsdorf X
Take on the World in our Fresh, New Seafoam Styles
Take on the World in our Fresh, New Seafoam Styles
The Ivy Dress is the perfect modern romantic piece to break free from your WFH blues. Feel the positive energy of our beautiful Seafoam colourway.
It's elegant but not too ostentatious. A comfortable shape that can be worn day or night. The dress features soft double puffed sleeves, a deep squared neckline and falls slightly A-line to a mid length.
The Ivy is cut from a very soft and fine Japanese Cotton/Linen blend and lined in 100% Cotton. The fabric has a lightly crinkled texture and a subtle grey stripe.
This dress also looks amazing layered over our Merino Funnel Neck Skivvy in Seafoam :)
We love this new shape! The Faye top channels the 90s in this fresh and flattering statement top. Bias cut in our Japanese Seafoam Cotton/Linen with a cowl neckline and sexy square back. The Fay slips on without any fastenings making it a very comfortable, easy wear piece.
We have shown it here with our Tailored Trousers in Black but this style also works well with our Vanessa Pant in Sand our Calder Jeans in Indigo and with our Calder Jeans in Chalk.
It makes a great feature under a jacket - picture our Celeste or our Vanessa.
It also looks spectacular layered over our Merino Funnel Neck Skivvy in Seafoam.
Both the Ivy Dress and Fay Top are available in store and online now.
We make each piece in our Ethical Clothing Australia certified factory located in Melbourne. The Ivy Dress and Fay Top are lovingly sewn by one of our incredible machinists that have over 20 years industry experience.
Living on Stolen Land is a new release book written by Ambelin Kwaymullina who is a prolific Palyku novelist, illustrator, and assistant professor of law at the University of Western Australia.
Ambelin also created the cover artwork and the illustrations throughout the book which is written in prose style. The work is described as the first of it's kind to address and educate about the colonial contextual history of Australia in an accessible way.
The opening words read:
“This story begins
with the tree on the cover
which shows futures
The roots go deep
down into the ground
because just futures
must be grounded in respectful relationships
with Indigenous peoples
Indigenous homelands
Indigenous sovereignties“
You can read more about Living on Stolen Land or purchase here
Arts Centre Melbourne have kindly shared a recorded performance on-line of Jack Charles V The Crown by the Ilbijerri Theatre Company.
Uncle Jack as he is endearingly known is from the stolen generation and tells the story of his life through the lows of crime and addiction to the highs through his incredible journey in theatre and film.
Watch the performance here
Jack was also the subject of the fantastic 2008 award winning documentary called Bastardy by Australian director Amiel Courtin-Wilson.
Watch the film here.
Our Fitzroy Store is Still Open
We are still welcoming clients to our Fitzroy Boutique but consciously during this difficult time.
To ensure physical distancing we are limiting entry to 3 clients at a time.
We are doing regular cleaning and sanitising at touch points and ask that you please wear a mask and use the hand sanitiser available on entry.
For those of you who wish to shop from home, we can offer Virtual Appointments plus our online store is always open at arnsdorf.com.au
Please feel free to call our experienced stylists for any questions you may have on fits or fabrics etc on 1300269406.
Our current store hours are:
Sunday to Tuesday 11-5
Wednesday to Saturday 10-5
Stay well from all of us at Arnsdorf X
Try a Tabata Workout, Sketch Your Pup, Watch a Film, Eat a Lamington
New!
The Nora Top and Skirt in Cloud
Chic yet comfortable
Jerri wears the Nora Top in Cloud
When we all talked about our go to pieces during our time at home, the Nora styles kept coming up as a favourite for all of us.
Chic yet comfortable.
This time around we have cut the the top and skirt in a new wider, slightly softer rib fabric which we developed and had woven right here in Melbourne from 91% Organic Cotton and 9% Cotton.
The same easy, classic silhouettes in a delicious new colour, a pale lilac called Cloud which has been garment dyed locally using a GOTS approved dye.
Jerri wears the Merino Rib Funnel Neck Skivvy in Chalk Combo (coming soon) and the Nora Skirt in Cloud
Jerri wears the Sloane Jumper and the Nora Skirt both in Cloud
The Nora Skirt is an easy pull on mid length style with an elastic waist and side splits that works with slides, sandals, sneakers or boots - make it your own look and make it really work for you.
Go for an amazing tonal look with the matching Nora Top or the Sloane Jumper.
We make each piece in our Ethical Clothing Australia certified factory located in Melbourne. Each garment is sewn by one of our incredible machinists that have over 20 years industry experience.
The Sydney Film Festival Goes Virtual and it's Screening Now!
Still from Swiss-German feature film, My Little Sister
The 67th Sydney Film Festival has gone virtual and scaled down to a very achievable 33 films screening over 12 days from the 10th to the 21st of June.
The festival is divided in to three sections - Documentaries, Shorts Films and 'Europe! Women in Film' and festival director Nashen Moodley has included a strong Australian content to support our industry.
Screening is the Swiss-German drama feature film called My Little Sister directed by Stéphanie Chuat and Véronique Reymond which was nominated for the Golden Bear at this year's Berlinale.
Still from new Australian documentary Our Law screening now at SFF
Directed by Cornel Ozies with some stunning landscapes, Our Law is a documentary on Western Australian's first Indigenous run police station based in the town of Warakuna which is about 330 kilometres west of Uluru.
The Sydney Film Festival is live now and you can see the programme and book to view here.
We've reached out to women in the Arnsdorf community to reveal their personal tips for staying healthy, sane and engaged during this interesting time...
Michelle wears the silk Claudia Jacket
What is your name and and what do you do?
My name is Michelle and I'm a Doctor in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.
What is your connection to Arnsdorf?
Long time fan-girl and ardent admirer. I’ve always loved the clean construction and gentle aesthetic of Arnsdorf since discovering it in the iconic Blonde Venus in Brisbane when I was living there many moons ago. The pieces feel so special without being too fussy or precious which I really like. I wore my Blanca Blouse to my medical school graduation and it was the perfect, simple but different garment that made my day.
What are you doing to stay active?
Living room power yoga (maybe in child’s pose a little more than if the instructor were watching), some backyard Tabata workouts and jogging with Iggy my rescue kelpie x lab pup.
Michelle wears the Celeste Suit Jacket with the Classic Shirt and the Suit Trouser in Black
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast?
Currently enjoying the podcast ‘I Said No Gifts’ with Bridger Winegar. It was recorded mostly pre-pandemic and is a nice fun escape. Also listening to Raven Smith’s ‘Trivial Pursuits’ audiobook which has validated the importance of my increasingly dysfunctional obsession with / addiction to Instagram.
I’m also retreading Leslie Stein’s comic ‘Bright Eyed at Midnight’, which has such simple beautiful drawings and reminds me a lot of my late 20s.
Ooh and also special mention to the life-affirming TV show ‘High Maintenance’.
What about food. Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment?
There’s a cafe around the corner from me in West Footscray called Brother Nancy that has delicious lamingtons. I think it’s the fresh thick chocolate coating and shredded coconut that makes them quite moreish. It started as an occasional sometimes treat but has really blossomed into a dependency during quarantine.
Michelle wears the Blanca Blouse and the Suit Trousers in Black
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces?
Because work is very strict at the moment, I’ve mostly been wearing scrubs.
When I get home I gravitate toward bright colours and prints in lounging fabrics / styles with lots of layers and home made knits.
Oh and always paired with my new house slippers.
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn't?
It’s been a really nice time for slowing down in some ways and having time to explore quiet introverted things. I’ve gotten more into drawing and painting. Mostly little silly sketches of flowers, pottery, my dog, food. I have been enjoying it as a sort of meditation.
What songs are you feeling right now?
My lil sis Lou in Seattle made this playlist and I listen to it a lot. It takes me back to driving through Washington state countryside blissfully in January before the pandemic shut it all down. I can’t wait to visit her in the Pacific Northwest again.
Stay well from all of us at Arnsdorf X
Channel the 90's Minimalist Glamour of Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy
Carolyn Bessette started her career in fashion retail for Calvin Klein, working her way up to the Publicity Department where she was the Director of Public Relations and then the Director of Show Productions until 1996.
She married John F Kennedy Jnr in 1996 and they both tragically died in a plane crash in 1999. WWD say that Carolyn "cemented her fashion icon status with her minimalist sophisticated aesthetic with sleek black dresses and casual button down shirts that many consider as a signifier of Nineties' style".
We have just restocked our classic Carolyn Shirt in sizes 4 to 16.
Cut from 100% Organic Cotton, the shirt wraps at the front with an internal tie. You can wear it tucked in to something mid to high waist as is, or over something using it's complimentary tie or even a contrast belt.
It has a strong collar and even stronger cuffs that you can wear down for a fashion moment or fold back, for getting down to business!
Team this shirt with our Slim Trousers or our Suit Trousers for a more tailored look.
For a sophisticated lounge look, team it with our Palazzo Pants in Check or Black Velvet with some leather slippers or slides.
For a more easy look, try it with our Calder Jeans in Indigo or our Wide Leg Jean in Pale Blue.
We lovingly make the Carolyn Shirt in our Ethical Clothing Australia certified factory located in Melbourne. Each garment is sewn by one of our incredible machinists that have over 20 years industry experience.
Monster Theatres Exhibition at Art Gallery of South Australia Re-Opens July 8
Grotesquerie by Brent Harris at the AGSA. Photo by Saul Steed courtesy of Tolarno Galleries and Robert Heald Gallery.
Bay of Sick by Mikala Dwyer. Photo by Saul Steed, courtesy of Anna Schwartz Gallery.
This incredible exhibition Monster Theatres at the Art Gallery of South Australia only had the briefest moment of 'real time' before lock down. Created as part of the Adelaide Biennial, the gallery has announced that it will be open for visitors again from the 8th of June and this exhibition will continue until August the 2nd.
Tales of Enchantment by Judith Wright. Photo courtesy of AGSA and Sophie Gannon Gallery.
Curator Leigh Robb says 'Monster Theatres proposes an arena of speculation, a circus of the unorthodox and the absurd, a shadow play between truth and fiction. The title is inspired by a group of provocative Australian artists. Their urgent works of art are warnings made manifest. These theatres are theirs.’
Morph by Polly Borland. Photo by Saul Steed courtesy of Sullivan Strumpf.
Including the incredible work of pictured artists Brent Harris, Mikala Dwyer, Judith Wright and Polly Borland, the show also contains powerful installations by important Australian contemporary artists David Noonan, Michael Candy, Megan Cope and Mike Parr.
For more details or virtual tours click here.
Bunny by Polly Borland
Bunny by Polly Borland through Other Criteria Books
Speaking of Polly Borland, the Australian born, LA based artist has released a book of her break through Bunny series limited to only 200 editions.
The book arrives stitched inside a pair of ballet tights which you have to rip open to get to. Lip my stocking?!
The tights reflect Polly's work in this series as well as her unique and thought provoking Morph series.
Gwen as Bunny by Polly Borland, 2003
The hard cover contains a signed and numbered print by Polly Borland of one of the images in the publication, an eccentric modern fairytale by British writer Will Self plus a seductive short poem by one of Polly's oldest friends Nick Cave from The Birthday Party/ Bad Seeds fame.
More details through Other Criteria Books here.
Our Fitzroy boutique is now open. We can't wait to see you!
See our opening times here.
Stay well, from all of us at Arnsdorf X
Make Like You're in Mexico
Make Like You're in Mexico
The world continues to learn how to give and connect to each other during these strange days.
How about a trip to Mexico? Take a virtual tour through the Frida Kahlo's La Casa Azure - The Blue House courtesy of Google Arts and Culture.
This was Frida's house and studio. Where she was born, where she painted, where she lived with Diego Rivera and where she died. Many personal effects have been left untouched in the home as requested by her estate. If you haven't been before and feel like a balmy virtual escape, soak yourself up in these 360 degree images of the museum and feel 'la vivencia' here!
Bored with your streaming options?
The Revolution Perth International Film Festival is an annual event that screens over 200 films across Perth and Fremantle including the Fremantle Arts Centre.
Rev are a non-profit organisation and have launched an amazing service on their website where you can watch many films that they have screened over the last 20 years, online. Most are for free and some are pay-to-view plus, new films will be updated monthly! Check out the programme here.
Order online...pick up in-store!
We're back baby...
Our Fitzroy boutique is open again and every day for your convenience.
Our priority is the health of our community and providing you the safest shopping environment possible.
To make this happen, we are limiting the boutique to 3 clients at a time.
We are doing hourly cleaning and sanitising at touch points.
We also ask that you use the hand sanitiser provided at entry and use our distance markers to ensure physical distancing.
If you live locally and can't wait for the post, order online and select store pick up.
If you're running short on time, phone ahead and organise a drive by pick up.
We're modern women doing modern things. It's the way to go.
Tell Us Your WFH Secrets ;)
Abby Bennett wears the Celeste Mini Skirt in Check
We've reached out to women in the Arnsdorf community to reveal their personal tips on how to work from home in style and comfort while staying healthy, sane and engaged.
What is your name and and what do you do? Abby Bennett Freelance Fashion Stylist and the Fashion & Content Editor forDoingbird Magazine #bennett_abby
What is your connection to Arnsdorf? I’m a stylist so I get the opportunity to borrow Arnsdorf samples for shoots and I shop at Arnsdorf .
The Martha Dress in Ivory and Classic Trench Beige in DOINGBIRDMAGAZINE. Stylist Abby Bennett. Photographer Jo Duck
What are you doing to stay active? I bought a bike as soon as the restrictions started so I’ve been going on lots of bike rides plus long walks, doing all the free online yoga, pilates & strengthening classes I can. It’s been quite nice to have a bit more free time to actually do these things daily.
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast? Re-reading some old Jackie Collins novels, true escapism and I’m listening to Dolly Parton’s America. I’m desperate to get my hands on a copy of Raven Smith’s Trivial Pursuits. It just got released but seems no one has it in stock yet!
The Margot Skirt in I-D AUS/NZ, Stylist Abby Bennett. Photographer Jo Duck.
What about food. Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment? Doing lots of cooking and lots of snacking. I made hot cross buns for the first time over Easter
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces? My style is very simple and relaxed usually but it’s gotten more so and I’m most definitely repeating outfits. I’m in Queensland sitting this out with family where it’s warmer than Melbourne so my staples here are a bikini, black nylon shorts, oversized t-shirts, a summer dress, men’s oversized business shirt plus an Arnsdorf celeste mini skirt for when I need to leave the house for essentials.
The Jo Coat in Chocolate in DOINGBIRD MAGAZINE feat. Confidence Man. Stylist AbbyBennett Photographer Jordan Drysdale
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn't? Doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it. It’s an amazing feeling.
What songs are you feeling right now?
A huge mix of things! Listen to them here.
Stay well from all of us at Arnsdorf X