Leonard St.'s Spring / Summer '17 Collection + an Interview with Designer Amanda McCarthy
Leonard St. is a hand-designed, home-grown ethical Australian label focusing on bold prints and strong silhouettes.
We’ve just got a glimpse of their latest Spring/Summer offering and we’re in love! It features bright octopus prints, endless supplies of culottes (we’re so happy they’ve stuck around!), gumnut prints, gingham and backless shift dresses, and light, cute jumpers, making up a collection that’s versatile, fun and timeless - with a few classic staples thrown in for good measure.
There’s so much at work here and we were lucky enough to chat to designer and founder Amanda about finding unexpected inspiration in the joy and spirit of the animal kingdom, and how print can tell a story.
Q: For those of our readers who might not be familiar with the Leonard St. brand, how would you describe it to them in just 3 words?
A: Print, bright, fun
Q: When did you first begin your label and what initially motivated you to do so?
A: I started dabbling with designs and making some dresses when I arrived back from overseas, I had some time on my hands, some freedom, and it allowed me to really think about what it was I wanted to do. I felt there was a certain look lacking at an accessible price point in the Australian market. I aimed to fill that!
Q: Your latest collection is an explosion of beautiful prints and fun pieces. Please tell us more about the inspiration behind the collection as a whole?
A: I just love print and how it enables you to tell a story, combining it with colour allows you to create mood. I love working with these elements to create an upbeat bold collection every season. Fashion is expression and I embrace that.
The collection is a combination of highlight pieces and wardrobe staples. It’s designed to be practical, uplifting and beautiful. I love clashing prints and layering to achieve a really sophisticated, quirky style. Texture and handle are important to me and the range embodies this. It's fresh, feminine yet classic at the same time.
Q: We also love your inclusion of playful animal-inspired prints, such as the Starfish & Octopus combination, as well as the Chameleon & Gumnut pairing. What was the story or motivation behind these characters?
A: I like working with animals in the print design as they bring instant joy to people. It’s amazing to see customers bond with prints based on the nostalgia a certain animal brings out in them - we all feel affiliated with certain little creatures. They are truly amazing wonders of the world. I guess we are quite removed form furry creatures in our modern lives, it’s nice to bring them back into the every day.
I’ve been thinking about using an Octopus in a print for a while highlighting and his long tentacles, in a deep ocean setting. I’m trying to capture that feeling of being deep under the water; the serenity, the silence, the wonder. Then I added a pink starfish for a pop of colour and to keep it bright and happy. I think they work together really well. I live near the beach and love the water. So does everyone right?
For the Chameleon I'd been playing with lizards, my husband and daughter are always catching lizards, they love reptiles, but they aren’t that cute, so I landed on the Chameleon - he’s so cool the way he can change and I love his long tongue! Of course he can hide, so I started playing with hiding him in the print, it was really fun. The colour palette is really important part of that print; the peach and the beautiful blue. Bonus parent feature – play find the chameleon with your kids, hours of fun.
Q: When you design your pieces for Leonard St., what kind of a girl do you specifically have in mind?
A: Anyone can wear Leonard St! Anyone who appreciates design and quality. Mostly I think it appeals to people who do not want to buy mass-produced goods, people who want to buy clothing that will last. It has an artisan quality and all goods are made ethically, so it’s for the aware shopper. Leonard St is non-trend driven, it’s about special highlight pieces and classic wardrobe staples.
Q: Do you have any upcoming, exciting news about your label which you would like to share with us?
A: Yes, I’m very excited to be opening a new store at the end of October in Carlisle St, Balaclava. I really love that spot, it’s very eclectic, heaps of great cafes and think it will be perfect for us. I’m hoping lots of Leonard St ladies live around there and will come visit us for all their ethical fashion needs.
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We want to thank Amanda for taking the time to share her new collection with us and for answering our questions! View more of the Leonard St. Spring / Summer '17 collection via the label's website, Facebook page, or Instagram. Enjoy!