New designer to shake up womenswear

 

Yuxin Bei is on a sartorial mission. "I constantly hear women complain that many labels in Australia are either appearing very similar or too dramatic to wear for the average consumer," she said. "My label is willing to explore different elements of design which are fun and stylish but still wearable."

The RMIT graduate has just launched a timeless womenswear collection based around the principles of drapery, shape and form. Manufactured in Shanghai from a blend of silks, cotton and synthetic materials, the debut range includes deconstructed dresses, shorts and tops varying from $160 to $300 in price.

Bei said before launching the collection this month at trade fair Fashion Exposed, she experimented with private commissions and individual sales. Prior to that, Bei also worked as a freelance fashion illustrator and design assistant at Feathers, Lounge Clothing, Tony Bianco Shoes and YUU Sleepwear.

"It was the experiences I gained via freelance work and friends from the industry that finally brought me to the birth of my label," she said. "In the future, I'd like to explore more delicate weaving and complete natural fabric collections."

Bei has already secured several Melbourne stockists for the debut spring/summer 2007 collection and broken into the Sydney, Queensland and South Australian markets. She said an online presence was also a strong possibility but was still undergoing negotiations at the time of press. 

By Assia Benmedjdoub