Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.
Whenever I’m home in Indonesia, I always make a point of visiting my favourite clothing store, Biasa. They make the most beautiful, ethereal clothes, and their kaftans are to die for. I’ve got three of them now, but the last one is the best yet—it came out of a collaboration with an artist, where his paintings became kaftans and dresses. It might be the most beautiful piece of clothing I own (second only to my wedding dress!).
Not long after, I came across an article by rachel weisz: 10 times designers quite literally turned art into fashion. I loved it, partly because I’d just seen it happen in real life, but mostly for the reminder that inspiration doesn’t have to come from other clothes. In a world where everyone draws from the same few places and ends up dressing the same, isn’t it more fun to look at everything else around us?
That’s exactly what Rachel does, and it’s why I’ve been so drawn to her saves. She finds beautiful things in places you wouldn’t expect, and I can’t wait for you to see where she’s been looking.
How would you describe your taste?
I would describe my taste as considered, ever-evolving and inconsistent. My taste is a gathering of everything and everyone that has inspired, delighted or challenged me. An artful accumulation, perhaps, is a more joyous answer.
Visually that may take the form of a statement coat or shoe paired with the simplest essentials. A vintage red moto jacket paired with Levi’s; a bright sapphire coat buttoned to the top; an oversized blazer with a brooch I found on Etsy. I love to mix masculine and feminine silhouettes, and to play with and against my own body through proportion — I find this practice really important for self-love and growth.
My taste is still evolving, but I’ve always found myself looking to the avant-garde as inspiration. Rei Kawakubo, Vivienne Westwood, Elsa Schiaparelli, Issey Miyake, Ann Demeulemeester, Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, and so many others. Anyone who stands firm in their rebellious spirit is a sort of guiding deity in my creative life.
Fashion was never woven into my upbringing. It’s been something I’ve had to really seek out and hone in on as a creative practice. I think that’s why I write what I write, in order to understand it.
Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?
This collection of Aussie brands is my latest edit. The high calibre of design talent across Australia’s fashion industry is unmatched1, and I believe we need more voices in Australian media championing, collaborating with and exploring them.
I began my career by launching a small clothing brand alongside hosting a podcast on sustainable fashion, and became deeply passionate about independent, slow fashion and the brands that have really leant into this ethos.
A few of my favourite Australian designers and labels include the incomparable Alix Higgins, whose collection of tender yet vivacious digital designs offer something completely unique; Ashiya Omundsen’s Par Moi, which launched in 2019 and refusing to play by industry rules; and all is a gentle spring, founded by designer Isabelle Hellyer, creating chic, sensual garments in natural fibres.
My edit really leans into nostalgia and colour. My favourite pieces I’ve saved so far are a blue coat from Albus Lumen, a vintage-inspired midi skirt from Par Moi and a chic lace beanie from Sir.
What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?
Gosh, there’s so much! I’m a lover of beautiful, unique bags and have seen saving my favourites in this edit here. I’m particularly obsessed with this beaded fringe handbag saved by Patricia, whose own bag edit is truly divine.
Favourite save so far?
I am recently engaged and so have begun the journey of finding the perfect wedding attire, though I’m not entirely sure what that will manifest into. My recent saves, the Aura Outer Dress and the Nami Gown, both from Perple (a made-to-order womenswear brand in Melbourne) are each delightfully whimsy.
Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?
Ulla Johnson. I have really fallen for this green satin pencil skirt, originally saved by Lyo . The texture really gives the fabric an almost hand-painted quality. I am familiar with the New-York based designer, but after learning she is the daughter of archaeologists, I can really understand her unique eye for depth, movement and admiration of the earth’s organic textures.
You’ve got two invites to give away. Who are you giving them to, and why?
I am inviting the lovely Saskia Neacsu , whose style is as much a weapon as her pen, and Lauren Claire who has the kind of stamina required to tear through 30 vintage stores with me in a single day in New York City.
You can see everything Rachel saved on her Woven.
Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.
I completely agree!! I’ve been obsessed with Australian designers for as long as I can remember!
Eeeeee thank you so much for having me 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
a woman with taste, to say the least