The Model and Me: Bowerbird spring-summer 2018

Bowerbird collections is not new to the Brisbane interiors scene. What Bowerbird is new to is the fashion design scene.

Mother and daughter duo Peta and Ellie Sweatman have been in the business of interior design and creating bespoke home decor in Brisbane for 10 years.

“Due to the overwhelming support we’ve received in our creative pursuits for interiors, we have ventured into fashion. We are serious about our ethical and sustainable business model and so we keep as much as possible locally made and sourced. Each garment is designed in house, and sewn right here in Brisbane,” said Ellie.

I popped into the launch back in October and bought the top featured in this post. The collection sold out super quickly but has been re-stocked.

If you love sustainable fashion pieces made from natural fibres, check it all out HERE.

The model

Bowerbird linen smock top | Bowerbird long harem skirt in navy

and me

Bowerbird top (I’m in 12) and skirt (I’m in M – firm on hips but still a better fit for me than my regular L) | FRANKiE4 Footwear ALYCE wedges | Adorne bag from the Styling You Shop

This is the type of outfit that could be dressed up for work or lunch out but also worn more casually with flats, as the model shows. Both are pieces that will not date.

My love of anything gingham will never die, so when I spotted this linen top in a dark blue check, I had to make it my own. Love the shirred sleeves for wearing either fully down or pushing up. The hemline at the front is slightly shorter than the back so ideal for tucking (full or half). You know my love of the half tuck! It shows a little shape and balances proportions in outfits with volume.

I love the top worked back with this skirt but would equally wear it with a denim skirt, denim jeans, a white skirt, pant or jeans. This linen skirt is something else though. It drapes and falls beautifully in pleats from a cotton/elastane waist, which can be worn high or low on the waist, depending on your personal preference. My preference is always lower! It falls below my knee but doesn’t overwhelm because of side hem tuck.

I bought the shirt featured and borrowed the skirt for this shoot.

Styling You Shop summer faves now online

Summer is officially here. We’re switching things up, swapping our handbags for baskets; bringing colour to our animal print obsessions; replacing our long activewear tights for shorter versions and we’re getting our fake tans on in style. Check out what’s new in the Styling You Shop HERE.

#shopitforward for drought-affected areas

Thank you to each and every one of you who has shared this post that now contains more than 60 online businesses located in drought-affected areas of Australia. An even bigger thank-you if you’ve shopped at any of the businesses. 

I’d love you to keep this list of businesses front of mind should you be doing any gift shopping over the months leading up to Christmas. The dollars go direct into affected communities, creating a ripple effect that will have lasting benefits for so many.

I won’t stop talking about and sharing these amazing businesses. We really are helping to make a difference.

Check out the list HERE.