14 independent Australian fashion labels, will have their work showcased at the Australian Fashion Council's (AFC) Curated Sydney pop-up shop at The Strand Arcade, from May 3 to 30.
Featuring labels; Allora; Autark; Blue & Grae; Cedar & Onyx; G Terlato; Isabelle Quinn; Ivy Niu; Laura Keogh; Lindsay Nicholas New York; Revel Knitwear; Salty Fox; Silent Arrow; West 14th; and, Whyte Studio, the pop-up will allow consumers to meet the labels, connect with their stories and shop their collections.
Rotating weekly, AFC Curated will see a new combination of fashion labels on offer every week throughout the month.
Curated industry mentor, Jenny Layton, said the pop-up is a neccessary feature of the fashion industry.
"I think Curated is so unique, and so meant to be, and so necessary for this industry.
"The seed that is being sown now is something that can work with businesses, and help shape them in what is an evolving landscape."
Image from participating label, Whyte Studio.
The labels involved in the initiative will participate in direct industry mentoring – from mentors such as VAMFF CEO, Graeme Lewsey, Industrie COO, Adam Lloyd and AFC CEO, Dave Giles-Kaye – a series of business development workshops and retail activations.
Centre manager at The Strand Arcade, Kristy Hoare, said that the centre is thrilled to support the Curated initiative.
"The Strand Arcade has, for more than 120 years, been supporting local fashion and design, which is why we’re thrilled to be able to connect our customers with some of Australia’s best emerging designers and craftspeople as part of AFC Curated.
"We know, as fashion evolves and trends change, our customers will look to The Strand Arcade for the latest experiences and artisans, and we see a unique opportunity to elevate local labels as part of the AFC Curated series," she said.