Australia gets set to take out the laundry
Launching its range of children's tees into the Australian market for the first time, Dirty Laundry is looking to muster a strong following down under. Conceived in 2001 by Vancouver natives, Erika Pantages and Teresa Findlay, the casualwear brand is currently carried by major stockists throughout the US including L.A's Fred Segal and New York's Tot Shop.
While the company has been eyeing Australian stockists for some time, Pantages said the decision to officially launch here was based around growing trends in childrenswear.
"Once we turned our focus to kids tees, we felt out bright colours, fun stories and all year style would fit it well. We have always found Australia to be fashion forward and feel the similarities between the Canadian market.
Now that things are so much more global with the use of the internet and online information [our launch] has actually been quite easy."
Manufactured in Canada, the range includes tees for boys and girls ages six months to six years and onesie and hat sets for 3 to 18 month old babies. Made from a blend of 95 per cent cotton and 5 per cent lycra, the items are priced from $59.95 to $64.95 and are finished by hand.
"With most t-shirt lines out there being silk screened, we are unique in using appliques," Pantages said. "We don't follow trends but just make what we want, what makes us laugh. Our designer, Teresa Findlay finds inspiration from going back to that favourite place as a child."
Eventually looking to expand into bags, wall decal art and gift sets, the company is also focusing on growing its international operations.
"We are constantly in production because our line is non-seasonal and we ship around the world each month. Our goal is always to have the child and parent alike enjoy our sense of humour."