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B RILLIA NT- ON LIN E AUGUS T 2021
UTOPIAN LIVING, THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION HOUSE FOR SPRING ✦ Brilliant-Online visited Michele Cook to find the latest Spring fashion buzz at her Utopian Living fashion house in Wauchope, NSW, Australia.
Michele coins ME Fashion
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aving been involved in the retail side of fashion for the past few years, I’ve been fascinated by how the evolution of fashion has come about. There’ll always be fashion trends such as ‘Hot Goth’ or ‘Bubblegum Pink’. They can be shocking, alternative and open to so many interpretations. Sometimes they’re simply a quick way for people to try out different personalities. Ultimately, trends have a limited shelf life, they come and go. I think the world has changed as a whole. We are more accepting and inclusive of others. There really isn’t a ‘norm’ now. And the idea of having to follow a trend is no longer an obligation to fit in or keep up.
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I find that has reflected how we now view fashion. We’re no longer blinkered into looking at just size and shape. As a fashion retailer and stylist, it is important for me to do what I do with integrity and heart. That’s what really drives my creativity. I need to create fashion that is real and speaks to people’s authenticity. You know how sometimes you find a piece of clothing or accessory that you put on and you immediately feel at ease, at home, comfortable… a sense of ‘Yes, that’s me.’ In this day and age, styling clothes goes beyond being about size and shape. I think styling clothes is
Check out Utopian Living and the many handcrafted works by Michele Cook:
actually growing into a much richer and more interesting space where it has to do with not just what we use the clothes for, but it also needs to reflect our personalities as well. So it’s no longer about just aesthetics. It goes further and deeper than that and that’s what I love about creating! I don’t think only about whether something is pretty or not, I get curious about how this piece of clothing or accessory would make someone feel and what it expresses about a person. Sneak Peek of what’s coming into Utopian Living this Spring Slow Spring Fashion is making progress at Utopian Living, personally sewn and handcrafted by Michele Cook. This Spring, expect rare pieces of inspired Shabby Chic, Boho Luxe on sexy velvets and hand dyed silks trimmed with laces, ribbons and pearls. Can’t wait? Call 0413 764 129 for a personal styling session with Michele and have these draped on you and made for YOU!
The creativity in ME As a little girl, I would use sheets, tablecloths, anything that resembled a piece of fabric and add some elastic bands and bits of ribbon to create magnificent gowns fit for a princess. I spent many happy hours just draping cloth, playing with scrap bits and twirling around the room.
0413 764 129 Michele@UtopianLiving.com.au utopianliving.com.au Shop 5, 7 High Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446 Australia
