Journal
She's Back! Our Merino Rib in SEAFOAM is Available Now
One of our classic shapes made from a superfine 100% Australian Merino is sewn by us in Collingwood and custom dyed locally using GOTs approved dye. This style is also available in Chalk, Black, Espresso and a neutral colour block version of Black and Chalk.
Join us to Stitch Something with Feeling
SYDNEY! Last chance to shop our current season David Jones Pop-Up
This year, David Jones invited us to stock with them as part of their Sourced with Care initiative where they are supporting a series of brands that focus on responsibly sourced materials and mindful processes to minimise environmental impact.
Read an interview with Arnsdorf founder and designer Jade Sarita Arnott on the collaboration in Vogue Australia here.
A selected edit of our collection including some of our Limited Edition styles and our Permanent Collection is currently available at Sydney - Elizabeth Street Store There is also a small selection of styles available online here.
Our current season David Jones Pop-Up is ending very soon so don't miss out on this opportunity to shop these Arnsdorf styles in Sydney, in real life!
(Tiahnee wears the Arnsdorf Merino Rib Funnel Neck Skivvy in Seafoam with the Vanessa Pant in Sand. Photo by Alex Coppel for The Herald Sun)
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.
Abigail Crompton, the founder and artistic director of design store Third Drawer Down has just released an art book called Truth Bomb: Inspiration from the Mouths and Minds of Women Artists. The book unites the work of 22 powerful, contemporary female artists including Yayoi Kusama, Del Kathryn Barton, Mickalene Thomas, Kaylene Whiskey, Nina Chanel Abney and Judy Chicago.
Portrait of Mnonja by Mickalene Thomas
A Limited Edition of 250 copies sold worldwide * Includes tear-out poster by Miranda July. The book releases at the end of September and you can pre-order a copy 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
Our Beautiful New Coat, Looking for Utopia plus Tom Polo & Sarah Contos
The beautiful longline Helena Coat is crafted in a high texture olive green wool-blend coating sourced from a family owned Italian wool mill which has been operating since the 1940's.
The coat has an elegant lapel collar and a single Corozo button exterior closure with an internal button if you want to sharpen the silhouette. It has practical side pockets and is fully lined in a silky feel cupro.
The olive tone is a great contemporary neutral which works back well with many colours and tones and makes a nice departure from black.
We have styled the coat here over our Celeste Jacket and Suit Trousers in Black with the Merino Funnel Neck Skivvy in Espresso which is coming soon!
The Helena Coat is lovingly made 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.
Jess Scully has over a 20 year career as a curator and writer in media and the arts. She was the Editor of creative culture publications Yen, Empty, SummerWinter and Hotpress. Jess was the founding director of Australia's largest creative industries event Vivid Ideas.
She has been a policy advisor to the NSW Minister for the Arts, a founding contributor to the Sydney Culture Network, directed the Qantas Spirit of Australia Youth Awards and is currently the Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney.
Jess' debut book Glimpses of Utopia is asking us what can we do to upgrade the operating systems of our society and she says plenty!
"Meet the care workers reclaiming control in India and Lebanon, the people turning slums into safe havens in Kenya and Bangladesh, and champions of people-powered digital democracy in Iceland and Taiwan. There are radical bankers funding renewable energy in the USA and architects redesigning real estate in Australia, new payment systems in Italy and the Philippines that keep money in local communities, and innovators redesigning taxation to cut pollution and incentivise creative solutions."
Jess introduces Glimpses of Utopia as a call for optimism and says that we can reshape our world to be fair and sustainable by harnessing technology and imagination.
Glimpses of Utopia releases on August 4. Read more about it here or pre-order it here.
Commit to a Feeling by Tom Polo. Acrylic and flashe on canvas. Image courtesy of the artist and Station Gallery
Melbourne's Station Gallery has just opened an exhibition with two amazing contemporary Australian artists.
Sydney based Tom Polo who is known for his colourful, theatrical style figurative works of accessible yet complex characters has exhibited internationally and in Australia at the Art Gallery of NSW, ACCA, the MCA and QUT Art Museum.
In 2015 Tom was awarded the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship and has completed residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris and ACME Studios in London, Artspace in Sydney and in 2018 at the Palazzo Monti, Brescia, Italy.
His new show called Exit Strategy is available to view by appointment or digitally at Station Gallery Melbourne here.
The Red Shoes (after Kate Bush) by Sarah Contos. Oil on wood acrylic on screen printed canvas on canvas poly fibre. Image courtesy of Station Gallery.
Sarah Contos uses an incredibly diverse array of findings to present her visual art work which is mostly character based. Using painting, textiles, print and found objects Sarah creates a fantasy world of unique characters and imagery. Some may feel familiar like images from film or history but she works them in to a new narrative.
Sarah has exhibited work in Australia at the National Gallery of Australia, Carriageworks, MOP Projects, First Draft, Art Gallery of South Australia and HEIDE MoMA. Her awards include the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship (Sculpture) and the Ramsay Art Prize and in 2019 completed a Studio Scholarship at the Cité internationale des arts, Paris.
Her new exhibition titled My Friend, Lavender is available to view by appointment or digitally at Station Gallery Melbourne here.
Stay well, from all of us at Arnsdorf X
More Ways To Find Us... Hello Sydney 👋
As winners of the NDA Sustainability Award at the Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2019, we received mentorship as part of of our accolade from iconic Australian department store David Jones.
This year, David Jones invited us to stock with them as part of their Mindfully Made initiative where they are supporting a series of brands that focus on responsibly sourced materials and mindful processes to minimise environmental impact.
We are excited to announce that for a limited time we have a small Arnsdorf Pop-Up in two major David Jones locations:
Melbourne Bourke Street Mall Store
Sydney Elizabeth Street Store
This is especially wonderful news if you are living in Sydney and haven't had a chance to visit us yet!
Both stores are carrying a selected edit of our collection including some of our Limited Edition styles and our classic Permanent Collection. There are also a small selection of styles available online here.
We feel honoured to take this opportunity to spread the word on our transparency and our ethical and sustainable journey.
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.
MIFF (the Melbourne International Film Festival) are asking us to Stay Home and See the World via their festival which will be virtual this year.
In their 68th year, they've titled the festival 68 1/2 as it's not quite the full deal. Fair enough.
It won't be anything like our regular MIFF experience (we will miss our random queue meet ups and film friend chats!) but this way we won't have to brave those queues and the cold and actually have dinner ;)
Festival director Al Cossar has built a programme with over 60 features which will be streamable via ticketed access on a state-of-the-art digital platform designed by Shift72.
The festival runs from August 6 to 23 and importantly the programme will be released on July 14 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 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
Pure joy. When you're waiting for a new Arnsdorf style to drop and then it comes and it's soooooo good.
Meet our latest Limited Edition style. The Sloane Jumper
Pure joy. When you're waiting for a new Arnsdorf style to drop and then it comes and it's soooooo good.
Meet the Sloane Jumper. The colour is called Cloud which is a very beautiful, pale lilac.
The fabric is a medium weight 100% wool which has an incredible felted texture plus we selected it from dead stock making it a great conscious purchase.
The jumper features our Arnsdorf logo in a subtle tonal embroidery which we have done here in Collingwood.
The styling is boxy and a little oversized so the Sloane is very relaxed and easy to wear. It is available in sizes XS/S and M/L. Jerri (pictured) is a size 8 and wears the XS/S.
Team it with neutrals: white, black, grey and nude and highlight it with a red or tangerine lip.
Layer it over our Classic Shirt with it's spectacular cuffs or one of our Merino Skivvies for an elongated neckline.
The Sloane Jumper is a Limited Edition seasonal style so it won't be around for long! It's available in store now or online here.
The Sloane Jumper is lovingly made 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.
Cult, feminist writer Rebecca Solnit who's writing style has been compared to Joan Didion and Susan Sontag has recently released this book called Recollections of My Non-Existence. The memoir follows her formative student years in early 1980's San Francisco and describes her motivation as 'driven not by anger but by compassion'.
Read more about it or purchase it here or as an audio book narrated by the author here or order it at your local library.
The popular 2018 novel Normal People by Irish writer Sally Rooney has already been turned in to a television series and is currently screening on Stan here. The story set in contemporary Ireland centres around a friendship turned romance that begins in high school then follows the complex on again off again relationship.
The novel was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2018 and was ranked 25th on The Guardian's list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.
Our Fitzroy boutique is OPEN for business!
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.
Our current opening hours are:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 11-5
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10-6
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
Fitzroy Boutique Reopens Friday May 15th...Welcome Back!
Hi Everyone,
We are very happy to announce the reopening of our Fitzroy boutique this Friday the 15th of May.
We have given the store a fresh coat of paint and we can't wait to see you!
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 will be 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.
Our current store hours are:
Mon and Tues 11am to 5pm
Wed to Friday 10 am to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
We are still offering virtual appointments for those who prefer to shop from home. Book an appointment here or alternatively give us a call to speak to one of our experienced stylists.
Megan wears the Classic Trench in Beige over the Miranda Dress
Our Collingwood Atelier is also back in production, using these same considered measures.
We couldn't be prouder of our team and and feel so lucky to be able to continue our ethical and sustainable fashion journey with you.
Stay well from all of us at Arnsdorf X
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.
Keep Cosy Without Wearing Wool
Our Nora Styles are our warmest pieces without wearing wool.
Made from a textured rib knit, the fabric is a medium to heavy weight Japanese Cotton available in Navy, Ecru and Brick.
We have three easy shapes in this story -
The Nora Top looks great as a set with the matching skirt or team it with your own jeans or bottoms. It's a good allrounder that can cross from work to play.
The Nora Skirt , a long and slightly Aline silhouette, also works well with an oversized jumper or sweater (watch this space!)
The Nora Dress is easy on its own or accessorise with a belt and a long coat.
Anna wears the Nora Top in Navy with Calder Jean in Chalk
The now classic boat neckline was worn as a uniform by the French Navy in the 1850's as an easy piece to remove if they fell overboard! The style was then adopted by the Russians and other Navies followed.
Coco Chanel made it chic in the 1920's with her High/Low approach and styled the shape under her suits. The neckline was revived again in the 1950's and 60's by artists and Beatniks and then made its way in to the mainstream and today as a classic and flattering neckline.
Anna wears the Nora Dress in Navy
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.
Tell Us Your WFH Secrets ;)
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? Olivia Radonich, Founder and Director of ReadingRoom, Melbourne #areadingroom
What is your connection to Arnsdorf? I’m a long time customer and fan of Arnsdorf <3
What are you doing to stay active?
As our gallery is closed, and exhibition program is currently paused, I am using and thinking of this time as a hibernation. Though the concept of hibernation suggests inactivity, for me, this word in this time we are all in together, represents slowing down, taking time. I am thinking of hibernation in the the way that a garden slows down in some ways during autumn and winter…lots can still happen during these times, that is not visible. Hibernation, as a way of time of taking time. Taking time to pause, to reflect, to re-evaluate and to be with my family, and feel grateful for all we have.
Our home has become a calm, and mostly peaceful bubble. I feel lucky to share this time with my family, and we have lots of works surrounding us made by friends and artists we love to inspire us.
My days start very early, usually around 6:30am, when we wake and raise our blinds. My husband Edward and I have our morning coffee together as we watch the sunrise, this is a small but meaningful ritual that starts our day.
We then usually take a long walk, at the moment watching autumn changing the gardens around our neighbourhood. Nature is such a great reminder that life is always changing, and that these COVID-19 days of isolation, and anxiety will pass. We are all finding our own ways and rhythms of coping and adjusting, and our daily walks are very important to me, perhaps a way to look and celebrate the tiny, everyday moments, that possibly we are usually too busy to find joy in and celebrate. We can walk up to three times a day, a ritual seems to have developed that we walk after each meal, and it’s a really calming way to stay grounded and connected to the flow of the day, week and season...
When we are back home from our morning walk, we make breakfast for our family and use this time to check in with our children, and help them make a plan to stay motivated for each day/ week. Our daughter is in her final year of high school and her VCE studies have moved online. Our son has discovered online yoga, which he loves!
Each day right now looks different, and I have multiple projects that I am working on. Edward and I are sharing our kitchen table as our work space / home office.
The one constant I do each day, is take time to check in, and have conversations with the artists I work with, and also our collaborators.
Some days, there are multiple conversations, and other days, just one or two. Taking care of each other, checking in and sharing inspiration in this time is important, so though our exhibition program is paused, we are all there for each other, even if we only have the energy to check in by dm or text message.
At this stage, we are unsure when we can re-open the gallery and resume our program of exhibitions. Our Viewing Rooms series is one way we have decided to respond in this time, and offer insight into the gallery's community of artists, collaborators and friends, sharing stories and influences that inform and shape their practices, and in turn the gallery program. The rooms will host studio visits, online exhibitions, special projects, interviews, essays and texts reflecting on previous exhibitions.
We hope that during an uncertain and difficult time, when people need inspiration, connection, and perspective, more than ever...that these rooms can provide a way to stay in touch, and engage with the work of artists that we love, and admire.
I am less focused on productivity than I usually am - and more focused on being in the moment, making the most of that and being there for the people that I love.
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast?
I’m reading, and re-reading so many great books, Indelicacy by Amina Cain is incredible, and I love it. I’m revisiting several books that have been formative and important to me: Italo Calvino’s essays in the book Six Memos for the Next Millennium is one of these; Italo's essay on Lightness is incredible and meaningful to think on in this moment. Also, Life: A User’s Manual by Georges Perec.
I’m making my way through issues of Apartmento magazine, re-reading from the first issue, this is very enjoyable, as usually I rarely find time to finish an issue cover to cover!
We currently have a project developing online, What’s outside the window? that can be seen via our ReadingRoom instagram. It references Roberto Bolano’s novel, The Savage Detectives, a book that is very special to me, and a huge formative influence; it’s one I return to especially in times of upheaval and uncertainty. This question is asked three times, almost as a riddle, at the end of the epic story.
This project, in some ways has been on my mind since 2016, when I first walked into the space that is now ReadingRoom. The windows are such a significant part of the architecture, and the space and time of the three rooms of the gallery…
So this question, has a resonance and a poetry for me beyond the time we are in…it felt like a good time to gently ask this question. Listen, learn, and pass on the responses; using this question, almost as a meditation, to connect during this time.
It was a small way to create and offer space and time for artists, friends, and colleagues near and far that I admire and love, to contemplate this question.
I particularly love listening to authors read their own words. Something really special that I have listened to, and loved during the past month, is Dan Fox, reading his book LIMBO. Dan's essay explores the role that fallow periods and states of inbetween play in art and life. LIMBO was published by Fitzcarraldo Editions, and the reading was produced from Dan’s home in New York and is available to listen to via Soundcloud here. It is very beautiful.
What about food. Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment?
My family and I are really enjoying having the time to spend with each other cooking and sharing meals. We are making everything from scratch, and using all we have. We have become much more aware of how much food we have wasted in the past, and we are more mindful of this now. This awareness has been really important for us as a family, and it’s something that we will take with us beyond this time. To continue slowly, and sustainably in the way we live and work.
We are eating incredibly well...soups, pastas, and salads and my children Milo and Sofia are baking lots!
We are always inspired by Julia Ostro, Jessica Koslow, Carla Lalli Music, Julia Sherman, David Chang and Laila Gohar and their instagrams are daily sources of inspiration right now.
I am addicted to green salads, usually I have a green salad to accompany every meal, even breakfast, and also I love making hummus! The method Laila Gohar recently recommended via her instagram…taking time to peel the chickpeas, after soaking and cooking (which I never usually take time to do) is really enjoyable and delicious!!
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces? Clothing is always an important part of my day; and dressing is a ritual I really enjoy! I’ve noticed in this time I am dressing more casually, but still making an effort! I’m wearing my favourite pieces over and over again, and texture and colour are very important to me right now. I always love seeing what Alice Oehr, Julia Pound, Thea Basiliou, Yasmin Sewell, Jade Sarita Arnott, Harriet Were and Lauren Trend are both wearing, and sharing via their instagrams...
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn’t?
Finding joy in the everyday is definitely something I am grateful for, and celebrating.
I am enjoying being able to take the time to read, re-read and watch films in a way that I usually do not have time for.
I am inspired and learning so much from the recommendations and generosity of so many people I love and admire. It’s great to be able to make great discoveries and connections in this time...
Mary MacDougall and her brother Tom, recently recommended thirty beautiful films for a ReadingRoom Viewing Room, 30 Silver Threads, that have shaped their perception of the world.
Jason Evans, via his incredible website This Long Century is screening a series of film and video works by past contributors during the month of April.
It’s an incredible program, and includes films from Lucile Hadžihalilović, Shambhavi Kaul, Beatriz Santiago Muñoz, Haris Epaminonda, Anna Marziano, Salomé Lamas, Caroline Monnet, Camilo Restrepo, Carlos Reygadas, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, William E. Jones, Jennifer West, Oliver Payne, Nick Relph, Beatrice Gibson, Sky Hopinka, Deborah Stratman, Laida Lertxundi, Antoinette Zwirchmayr, Margaret Salmon, John Smith, Jodie Mack, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Peter Tscherkassky, Aïda Ruilova, Ben Rivers, Taiyo Onorato & Nico Krebs, Helena Wittmann, Sue de Beer, David Lowery.
All artists have donated their works, and in return Jason is bringing attention to a group of US based Non-Profits and Relief Funds to help people in need right now: RAICES
Ali Forney Center
Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
The National Domestic Workers Alliance
Feeding America
What songs are you feeling right now? I started a playlist at the beginning of this time of physical isolation, and I am adding to it regularly - it is reflective of my changing moods in this time Listen via Spotify here
Stay well from all of us here at Arnsdorf X
Does Marie Kondo understand clothing with emotional baggage?
The season has started changing and it's normally about now that you would be moving Summer for Winter or Winter for Summer depending on which hemisphere you're in.
You've been at home, so you've had time...right?!
Are you Marie Kondo'd out or are you yet to face up to the challenge of sorting out your wardrobe?
In your heart, you know what should stay and what should go but easier said than done.
Marie doesn't know that you are holding on to that Stuart Membery outfit because you wore it to the RAT Party in1984 or that you're keeping that gold crushed velvet bodysuit because you wore it to Kylie Minogue's Rhythm of Love tour in 1991.
Marie doesn't know the emotional bond you hold with the jersey cowl neck top and 2 inch rise jeans that you wore to see The Go-Betweens in 2002 or the Marianne Faithful inspired lace dress you wore to All Tomorrow's Parties in 2009?
Ask yourself:
Do you wear it (when did you last wear it)?
Does it fit you?
Do you feel great in it?
Does it need mending /repairing?
Do you have space to store it?
If you're feeling hesitant, put the bag of things you have sorted to go, in the garage or boot of your car but sit on it for a couple of weeks before moving them on. Just to be sure.
Make some cash or credit by taking them to a recycling boutique like SWOP, Goodbyes or Mutual Muse or if you're super keen, take some snaps and post them on Marketplace or one of the many Facebook groups or simply donate them.
This is also a great time to consider the choices you make when shopping. It's usually the fast fashion pieces that go to the out pile first. No judgement here! We've all done it as it's often the easy way out but re-training our shopping habits is part of the Arnsdorf philosophy.
Shop less, buy better. We all have those days when something new will cheer us up or we need a reward but we can still shop with purpose. Run through the same checklist: does it suit you, do you feel great in it? This is also why we offer our extraordinary free tailoring service, to make sure that it is perfect for you from the word go.
If you need more help sorting, watch this video by Melbourne stylist Sally MacKinnon.
Tell Us Your WHF Secrets ;)
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? My name is Janelle Watson-Evans and I have my own interior design and decoration business based on the Gold Coast. I do all sorts of things from residential and commercial decorating and design, to styling and production design and set decorating. I am also a wannabe screenwriterand have spent extra time during this lockdown to work further on my scripts and my short film projects.
What is your connection to Arnsdorf? I am a client. I was introduced to Arnsdorf by the wonderful Thea via her Instagram feed. I was so excited to discover the brand which ticked a number of boxes for me in that it is not only a carefully curated collection of ‘classic with a twist’ garments, but it also has the added attraction of being thoughtful and sustainable. I was really taken with the ‘Transparency’ component of the brand also.
Thea and I had followed similar paths in that we were both progressive fashion retailers in Queensland during the eighties and nineties, and it was lovely to connect again after all these years.
Janelle with artist Scott Redford standing in front of his artwork at the Institute of Modern Art Brisbane, 1983.
What are you doing to stay active?
I have for a number of years worked from home within my own business, so things haven’t changed a great deal for me in a way. However, one of the things that I do miss is the ability to go to the Gym and connect with my training friends. While house bound I have discovered an abundance of amazing ‘go to’ routines via Youtube.
My daughter Della and I have been absolutely loving Yoga With Adriene, a Californian beauty who has a plethora of varied videos for all sorts of yoga practice and her voice and manner are so relaxing.
You could of course, spend hours scrolling through the hundreds of viewing options and the other day I found myself doing an old Jane Fonda gentle aerobics workout video from the 1980’s which was an absolute hoot! I just wish I’d have had the pastel coloured G String leotard, big hair and matching leg warmers to have really felt part of the action.
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast?
I have read a couple of light and lovely popular ones during this period as part of my bookclub selection: Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - lots of imagery of nature and birds wrapped around a tale of the mysterious ‘Marsh Girl’ at the centre of the novel, and If You WantTo Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais, the story of three women in post-Apartheid South Africa of the mid nineties. Both nice easy reads.
I am a big listener of podcasts anyway and because of my interest in screenwriting my ‘go to’ is Scriptnotes by Hollywood screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin, highly recommended for anyone aspiring to write for film and television.
My creative lifestyle interior design ‘go to’ right now is More Than One Thing by Athena Calderone of Eyeswoon. It really explores the idea of being a ‘multi-hyphenate creative’. Someone who does not follow a typical career path and who works across a variety of creative disciplines. This really resonates with me as I feel like that’s what I have done and I aspire to keep on doing.
What about food? Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment?
My daughter Della and I have been obsessed with cooking during this lockdown and Della in particular has been on a constant baking mission with a range of yummy vegan delights. I can seriously feel the waist line thickening and hoping that this does not compromise my ability to fit into my gorgeous cream hemp Mira trousers which were a little on the tight side. I adore the silhouette of these trousers and I have a black pair also. They are perfect for our Queensland winters and I am looking forward to wearing them again this season.
Janelle wears the Mira Trousers in Black
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces?
We have been having the most seriously amazing weather here on the Gold Coast during this lockdown period which I have to say has been a fantastic mood enhancer for us during this difficult time. It’s been warm enough to literally swan around in a pair of shorts and a bikini top, although with the broadening of the waist line, I’m glad we are in isolation.
However, I do really value getting ‘dressed’ and the other day I put out an Insta challenge to post a pic dressed in a favourite outfit in your favourite part of your home interior. I really love the idea of fashion and interiors colliding and I try to show this occasionally on my Instagram feed. I am fascinated with the history of modernist interior design and fashion, and have always been interested in how they intersect.
Getting dressed and doing your hair and makeup just makes you feel better about yourself and the world.
Janelle with her daughter Della. Janelle is wearing the Blanca Blouse and The Mira Trousers in Black
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn’t?
I never thought I’d be seduced by it, but TikTok apart from being a massive time waster is highly addictive.
Like we need another app or more screen time in our lives right?
But I have particularly enjoyed seeing every day people particularly front line health workers letting their hair down via some very special 15 second group dance routines. I think this is definitely a worthy guilty pleasure during these difficult days.
What songs are you feeling right now?
I am loving more than ever, listening to old favourites and discovering some new things that move me. What would we do without Spotify?
I have pretty eclectic taste in music ranging from pretty pop featuring lots of female vocals,1980’s new wave, to1990’s club classics and psychedelic sounds. This pretty well sums up my go to Spotify playlist for right now...
Stay well from all of us here at Arnsdorf X
What do you think about the new Fiona Apple album?
Our Gift To You
The Arnsdorf Tote is cut from Hemp, Organic Cotton and a Recycled Polyester Canvas and hand made by us in Collingwood.
Printed in Abbotsford with a water based ink, this tote is soft and light weight but durable so a handy piece for everyday use.
Our tote bags are available for purchase here or are FREE with any Arnsdorf purchase!
We have just re-stocked them but again are in limited numbers so don't miss out!
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.
Tell Us Your WHF Secrets ;)
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 what do you do? Harriet Gregory #harriethoundstooth I am a Concert and Event Manager at Melbourne Recital Centre.
What is your connection to Arnsdorf? I am a regular client of Arnsdorf and always recommended it to others. Love their sustainable practices and the transparency of the brand.
What are you doing to stay active? Wonderful Melbourne PT Nick Milright aka Fitzroy Fitness Club as been doing weekly zoom classes. They are great and challenging. It is great to do something in 'real' time. No cheating by pressing pause. Also going for runs, I love the guided runs on the Nike Run Club app.
Are you reading a great book or do you have a favourite podcast? l just finished reading 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, I listened to it as an audio book. Such a great way to experience the melodrama of the novel. With all the constant screens in our lives at the moment, it is refreshing to experience something without being static. I love to go for walks and listen to books. My all time favourite podcast is the Backlisted Podcast - the hosts John Mitchinson and Andy Miller bring new life to old books. Every fortnight they are joined by a guest to discuss a book that may have fallen into obscurity/is lesser known. It is wonderful. They are so passionate and so charismatic and I have discovered so many wonderful authors from listening to the podcast.
What about food. Are you cooking or are you addicted to a particular snack at the moment? I have really been enjoying 'Nat's what I reckon' cooking videos on Instagram. Encouraging people to cook classic dishes and not buy the jar sauce versions. Very funny! A much loved Northcote cafe that closed last year 'Sookie La La' have been sharing recipes of popular dishes from the cafe. Their 4 ingredient peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies are so moorish.
Are you motivated to 'dress' for the day or are you repeating outfits? What are your go-to pieces? I had not been dressing up and getting around the house in old jeans and a t-shirt but todayand decided to do things differently and dressed up a bit. I actually wore my new Arnsdorf skivvy and my beautiful Le Kilt skirt I got in London last year and put on some fun eyeshadow. I felt so much better for it! Been trying to get lots of wear out of my Verner summer dresses from recent collaboration with Lisa Waup before it gets too cold!
Have you been pleasantly surprised by engaging in something you normally wouldn't? I normally hate days with lots of meetings and just want to get on my with my work, but WFH I really look forward to zoom meetings and collaborative tasks.
What songs are you feeling right now? I am loving the new Fiona Apple album 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters'. Songs on repeat are here.
Stay well, from all of us at Arnsdorf X