br and portfolio
WE ARE
BALLSY
WE HAVE FUN WE TAKE A CHANCE
WE BREAK THE RULES WE LOVE TO LAUGH
WE ARE REAL
WE ARE LOUD WE LOVE THE CRAZY
WE LIKE TO BE DIFFERENT
WE ARE
QUIRKY
WE ARE IRREVERENT WE EMBRACE THE MAD
WE DO IT OUR WAY
Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of House of Quirky, where everything is just a little bit left of centre and nothing is ever impossible… Rewind to 2005, when designer Rachel Evans decided it was time to channel her own energy, effervescence and love for fashion into something that would be beneficial to the style savvy everywhere… and so came the birth of House of Quirky! Never did she imagine that what started out as the seedling of an idea would grow to become a fully operational global business and one of the largest employers of design talent this country has ever seen. In creating this groundbreaking fashion house, and offering a platform to young designers where talent is nurtured and respected, Rachel has filled a huge gap in the Australian fashion market. House of Quirky’s initial foray into the world of fashion was with the now iconic Australian female fashion brand MINKPINK. Since its inception, MINKPINK has taken the world by storm, with girls around the globe snapping up the awesome product at a price that won’t see you breaking the bank. The fashion house now encompasses eight house brands, a multi-brand
online store and a fully functioning product development division. Despite House of Quirky’s global expansion, our commitment to our customer remains the same – we are dedicated to designing, producing and selling inspirational, original collections season upon season that girls from every walk of life can afford to buy and LOVE to wear. Each of our unique, beautifully designed brands operates within its own segment, allowing their individual personalities to come across loud and clear through their specifically dedicated design team. Our brilliant designers are ballsy, ridiculously imaginative and never afraid to take risks, designing from the heart rather than adhering to corporatised rules. They are given free reign over the creative process and design with themselves in mind which allows their personalities to shine through into the clothes we produce. As far as we’re concerned, fashion is fun, fashion is experimental and fashion is there to be enjoyed – we stick to this philosophy like glue because we know that this, combined with all the love our designers pour into their work every single day, is reflected in our awesome end product.
Having recently opened offices in Los Angeles, House of Quirky’s growth shows no signs of slowing! Our brands are now stocked in thousands of boutiques both in Australia and internationally, and loved by a loyal legion of global fans. Our brand presence is at an all-time high with distribution channels encompassing Australia, New Zealand and over 30 other countries across the globe, and our international channels include the USA, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Sweden, Holland, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Japan and Germany. House of Quirky’s portfolio of brands is stocked in some of the world’s most renowned fashion retailers, including Harrods, Urban Outfitters, Selfridges, Nordstrom, ASOS, Barneys NY, David Jones and Myer, with our brands frequently ranking as many of our retailers’ top selling womenswear brands.
With headquarters in Australia’s style capital Sydney, House of Quirky prides itself on its passionate and dedicated team of over 200 employees. We’re a pretty eclectic tribe who are never short of ideas − every individual brings something unique to the table, giving all they’ve got to the success of our family of unique and quirky brands. The diversity, creativity, and commitment of our employees is key to achieving our standout results year on year. Integrity and energy are what counts here and we believe in nurturing talent so our amazing staff can see the difference they make. House of Quirky strive to maintain a fun, creative and inspiring work environment, where everyone is encouraged to express their individuality and unique style. ‘Can’t’ is not in our vocabulary and we’re committed to a culture of value and respect where no idea is ever discounted and everyone’s voice is heard. Our collections are influenced by everything from vintage design, to current trends, to street style and the lives and experience of the entire design team. From stylists and A-list celebrities to buyers and boutique owners, House of Quirky brands provide truly unique, playful and affordable fashion. House of Quirky understand that efficient and effective distribution is essential in creating secondto-none brands. We’ve built up an extensive supply network and strong retail distribution channels, enabling us to serve rapidly growing demands internationally. Having developed strong collaborative relationships over a number of years, we are able and committed to providing a comprehensive service that is efficient and economical for all involved, encompassing manufacturing, distribution, marketing and execution of brands on a global scale.
We are steadfast in our commitment to achieving results in a respectful and ethical manner from conception to completion, and hold a spotless track record of operating in international markets within international laws. House of Quirky works with certified and audited factories, ensuring suppliers provide the working conditions and benefits stipulated by local law. We will only deal with suppliers who comply with the laws of the country or region in which they operate – we’re tough cookies so you can be sure we will take appropriate action should a supplier be found to have breached these laws, including suspension or termination of all agreements with that supplier. Every last one of our stakeholders is valued, and that includes employees, customers and suppliers, because we know that this is how results are achieved and maintained. House of Quirky adhere to a strict Integrity Code, which was designed specifically for employees whose roles will involve them in integrity issues. It highlights expectations based on five key principles: 1. Foster a culture in which all stakeholders are treated with respect. 2. Act to ensure there is no conflict of interest between work and private affairs. 3. Provide a safe workplace for all employees and visitors. 4. Be honest, legal, fair and trustworthy in dealings and relationships. 5. Develop a culture where professional integrity and ethical behaviour is valued and rewarded. Sticking to these rules is more than important to us – it’s essential. It’s been the building blocks of our business for the past eight years and as the old saying goes – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. So we won’t.
nternationally adored brand MINKPINK exploded onto the fashion scene in 2005 with its wild, playful and irreverent take on design and prints, injecting a burst of personality into wardrobes around the globe. Speaking to style-conscious girls everywhere, 2013 saw the brand’s popularity reach stratospheric levels with MINKPINK’s first ever global campaign ‘LA LA Land’. Starring international face Chloe Norgaard, the campaign received worldwide acclaim, and global expansion shows no signs of slowing. Each new collection is snapped up by an increasing
MINKPINK’s ability to tap into leading international trends and merge them with vintage influences puts it head and shoulders above many other brands out there. Social media plays a key role in connecting and engaging our fans with the brand, and MINKPINK’s following across all channels is now well over 250,000 (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and blog). Our key to success? We love being part of MINKPINK as much as our loyal girls love wearing it. And what about the MINKPINK girl? She is passionate. She is a risk taker. She just… gets it. Never afraid of being herself, never defined by convention, the MINKPINK girl is brave and free and expresses herself with a unique flair through
Apparel - nine ranges per year (four international), every six weeks (international every three months), sizes XS to L. Basics - four ranges per year, every three months, sizes XS to L. Swim - three ranges per year, sizes XS to L. number of buyers and consumers the world over and has resulted in MINKPINK expanding its fashion offering to include swimwear, sunglasses and basics, as well as teaming up with key retail partners to produce capsule collections.
the clothes she loves to wear. Her personality knows no bounds, she lives in the moment and never minds the consequences, exuding her spirit in everything she does. For the love of MINKPINK.
photography: Mike Piscitelli. creative direction: Mark Vassalo. HAIR AND MAKEUP: luke chamberlain. models: chloe norgaard, Daveigh Chase. www.minkpink.com
photography: elvis di fazio. styling: pip vassett. HAIR AND MAKEUP: max may. models: helena @ chadwick, rebecca @ work. www.minkpink.com
aunched in early 2009, a simple ethos of creating chic and timeless collections with a twist − finding the ‘extraordinary in the ordinary’ − has allowed State of Being to earn its place as one of Australia’s most loved and trusted go-to brands. The designer’s contrasting backgrounds of London street cool and laid back Australian chic combine to form a design philosophy that references high-end fashion and European
the brand continues to fulfill the desires of its loyal legion of fans who turn to State of Being for luxurious wardrobe essentials and directional day-to-night pieces. Combining soft tailoring and intriguing silhouettes with exclusively developed fabrics and captivating prints, State of Being pays huge attention to detail, producing sophisticated pieces that can be worn in a myriad of ways at an affordable price point. State of Being is stocked in a range of exclusive boutiques in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in David Jones stores nationwide. Internationally, State of Being is widely stocked in the USA, Canada, the UK and online at Market HQ.
Apparel - six ranges per year (four international), every eight weeks, sizes 8 to 14. Basics - six ranges per year, every eight weeks, sizes XS to L. trends, delivering easy to wear cutting edge styles that keep the State of Being girl one step ahead of the trends. Following a standout debut at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2013,
The State of Being girl is chic, intelligent and savvy. She knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to speak it. Effortlessly balancing work and pleasure, she cruises from day to night with ease whilst always maintaining her distinctive style.
photography: bowen arico. styling: victoria bolton. HAIR AND MAKEUP: max may. model: annabella barber @ chic.
DESIGNERs: VICTORIA BOLTON, SOPHIE RUSSO CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MICHELLE JANK hair: darren borthwick for redken makeup: kellie stratton for hub makeup Producer: Jack Bedwani PR: Elise Garland Public Releations
edefining afterdark wear, the Hunt No More label follows its own instinct, creating envy-inducing pieces to kill for. With a tough, urban edge, State of Being’s wayward sister brand is renowned for its directional leathers and edgy evening pieces that combine an inimitable blend of luxury with an attitude of rock-chick nonchalance. Since launching in 2011, Hunt No More has developed a unique cutting edge style, taking the season’s slickest looks and adding a distinctive Hunt No More twist to stunning effect. Their translation of first-grade leathers into beautiful, wearable pieces at attainable price points is unparalleled in the fashion market today. Hunt No More’s distinctive luxe trims, tarnished finishes and intricate embellishment on dresses, tailored separates and soft leathers are what sets it apart from other brands. Using premium fabrications, dressmaker details and hand beading, a strong graphic element runs throughout the collections. Prints are modern and hard edged with a signature design featuring in each collection.
Apparel - four ranges per year, every eight weeks, sizes 6 to 12. Dancing to her own beat, the Hunt No More girl is the ultimate wild child. A rock chick, sexy, daring, bold and confident, she doesn’t follow the rules − she makes them. Her urban, edgy brand of cool transcends trends and with a finger firmly on the pulse, she can always be relied on to know where the party’s at.
photography: SIMON LEKIAS. Styling: SOPHIE RUSSO. HAIR AND MAKEUP: CHARLOTTE Blakeney. model: GEORGIA @ priscillas www.huntnomore.com.au
true feast for the eyes, Somedays Lovin is designed by a small team of creatives who collaborate with an extended family of talented local artists to produce ethereal, distinctive collections season upon season. Renowned for its distressed cuts, digital prints, and saturated acid wash colour palette, the brand effortlessly encapsulates the carefree Australian beach girl attitude. Loved for its languid silhouettes and inimitable standout denim collections, Somedays Lovin was recently snapped up by iconic British uber-store Selfridges. It has strong brand presence in boutiques across Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the UK, Japan and Europe and is also stocked in Urban Outfitters USA and Free People.
Apparel - six ranges per year (four international), every eight weeks, sizes XS to L. The Somedays girl lures you away from home, looking for adventure, spontaneous and wild, free-spirited and undone. She is a quick witted vagabond, she’ll swiftly seize your heart. A slave to rock and roll she heads out on the highway, a creator and believer, travelling by the sun. She swims in her clothes and talks to strangers. She lives for these days, those days‌ somedays. An index finger to the dull and mundane. A tribute the mad and the beautiful. Denim for lovers, lace for rockers. Effortless. Authentic. Somedays.
photography: ben sullivan. Styling: laura liles. HAIR AND MAKEUP: max may. model: rachel @ chic. www.somedayslovin.com.au
VIL TWIN is all about left-of-centre everyday wear with a dash of avant garde – think obscure street styles that pay homage to the grunge eras of the 80’s and 90’s. The pieces are fearless and loud with a punk edge and can be taken from AM to PM quicker than you can change from beat up Cons to multi-inch platforms − wardrobe staples that make a statement… Heavily influenced by the punk/rock music scene, embellishments, leather and denim are always in the mix whilst festival fashion provides a constant source of inspiration. EVIL TWIN’s international expansion has been overwhelming, with the brand now stocked in a number of major retailers and independent boutiques across the globe including General Pants, Urban Outfitters UK, Urban Outfitters US, Pixie Market, Nasty Gal, Wasteland and ASOS, and is consistently included in weekly top ten styles in both General Pants and Urban Outfitters UK.
Apparel - four ranges per year, every twelve weeks, sizes XS to L. The Evil Twin girl is a little bit tomboy and a little bit trashy − an experimental chick who loves to take risks with her style and is never afraid to try something new. With a weakness for out-there accessories, she piles on silver, leather, vintage and sequins and finishes her look with trashed up black boots. She’s a music lover and festival goer and loves her fashion, putting her own unique spin on a look by mixing up highend, mid-market and vintage finds.
photography: byron spencer. Styling: jodie mckenzie. HAIR AND MAKEUP: max may. model: anya K @ IMG. www.eviltwin.com.au
aunched in 2007, vintage-inspired fashion brand Quirky Circus’ flirty and spirited collections reference bygone eras and carefree days. The playful separates and pretty dresses come in a range of whimsical prints and feminine cuts that can be prettied up or grunged down to suit your mood. Quirky Circus is all about off-beat feminine pieces at affordable prices, exclusively developed for Myer and stocked in their stores across Australia.
Apparel - nine ranges per year, every six weeks, sizes 8 to 14. Forever young, the Quirky Circus girl is full of spirit and looks at life through playful eyes. She has a knack for finding vintage fashion treasures often missed by the lesser trained eye, and she knows how to pull them off with flair. She is vibrant and versatile, living for today and always radiating confidence in her style.
photography: sarah adamson. Styling: georgie hilton, suzie best. HAIR AND MAKEUP: luana coscia. model: ksenia @ chic. www.quirkycircus.com.au
aint It Red gets the party started, offering up ontrend statement dresses, pop colours, gorgeous prints and cute skater skirts, perfect for the girl looking for that show-stopping outfit. The brand has a cult following amongst styleobsessed, craze-led babes who live for those ontrend wardrobe updates and love their fashion fast, fun and loud! Our designers scour the globe for the latest trends, pore over catwalks and celebrity style and create to-die-for collections with a signature Paint it Red twist. This is a brand that is for the seriously fashion addicted. Fact.
Apparel - seven ranges per year, every seven weeks, sizes XS to L. The Paint It Red Girl was put on this earth to shop. Treating fashion like a celebrity, she wouldn’t dream of being caught wearing the same thing twice! This brand is for the girl who dresses up, not down and always pulls off office-to-party dressing without fail. Paint It Red signatures include bold prints, cut out detailing, mesh inserts, micro lengths, leather-look fabrics, foiling and bling detailing.
photography: sarah adamson. HAIR AND MAKEUP: DESIREE WISE. stylist/models: stef & Jess @ howtwolive.com. www.paintitred.com.au
photography: sarah adamson. Styling: soren kearney. HAIR AND MAKEUP: desiree wise. model: shannah @ img. www.paintitred.com.au
BY MINKPINK
rush-worthy tween label The Lost Girls mixes up a dollop of quirkiness, a pinch of glam, and a great big slice of free-spirited style to bring together their retro-cool collections, adored by mums and daughters alike. The Lost Girls is MINKPINK’s little sister. She got tired of borrowing from her sister’s closet and watching her have all the fun, so we put together the collection she always dreamed of. Upping the style ante, The Lost Girls keeps it cute with bucket loads of personality. Following the same ethos of an affordable label that is fashion forward yet creates its own path with each new collection, the brand hits all the same key trends while keeping the fits and styling age appropriate for girls aged 8 to 14. Stocked in exclusive boutiques that carry tween fashion and represented strongly in Myer and David Jones, this brand has gone from strength to strength and has become a musthave for any young girl’s wardrobe.
Apparel - six ranges per year, every eight weeks, sizes 8 to 14 (children). She’s totally gorge, edgy and cute − a mini fashionista with her own super styling power. Whether she’s hitting the shops, soaking up the sun or having a laugh with her friends, she’s always got the perfect outfit. She loves to express her individuality through the clothes she wears − she may be young but she’s got big plans already and is super psyched about all that lies ahead.
photography: sarah adamson. Styling: kara otter. HAIR AND MAKEUP: desiree wise. model: zali @ misszali.com. www.thelostgirls.com.au
hopmarkethq.com is the shopping destination for bang-on-trend fashion, clothing, accessories and swimwear. Housing an eclectic mix of local and international labels, the site offers fashion-conscious consumers a unique take on trends and styling not found elsewhere. At MHQ we stand for cool, unique and interesting brands that are real. We want to offer consumers the quirkiest, most interesting product we can find, whether it be from an internationally recognised brand or from a small local designer − if it captures our imagination we want our audience to see it. Committed to handpicking product and sourcing eye-catching labels from around the world, Market HQ attracts an astounding 350,000 unique visitors per month. Aimed at fashion forward 16 to 34 year olds, the site easily encompasses all the different personalities of the Market HQ girl using the website as a platform to showcase new amazing talent and design. What makes us different to many other international sites out there is that MHQ outfits are styled with a distinctly Australian aesthetic. Like most fashion-savvy Aussie girls, MHQ embodies
Each garment is styled by an expert team and presented in a complete outfit, ensuring the Market HQ girl can piece together the perfect look from head to toe at the simplest click of a button. More than just an online store, Market HQ is inspired by all things in the creative realm, from music to art, film and street style. The site embraces these elements, integrating them into social media channels where we interact with our 80,000+ followers on a daily basis. We value our followers hugely, relying on them to maintain this cultural community and hub of creativity that we regards as the building blocks of Market HQ. Capitalising on our in-house social media team, we have been able to secure important relationships with some of the world’s most influential fashion bloggers. These relationships have worked towards strengthening and sustaining our online presence and we treat each blogger as an extension of the MHQ family and ambassadors of the brand. With leading brands such as MINKPINK, UNIF, Chaser, Evil Twin and House of Harlow, among other fashion forward labels, Market HQ always stocks the hottest product from the hippest brands around. The MHQ chick is a Social Media addict. She is constantly updating Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and loves to keep her friends on top of what is happening in her world. She is the life
Blog: markethq.blogspot.com Facebook: facebook/markethq Twitter: twitter.com/shopmarkethq Instagram: @martkethq Tumblr: shopmarkethq.tumblr.com Pinterest: pinterest.com/markethq an effortless approach to fashion that is taken from real girls on the street. Our unmistakably Australian style and tribute to the Aussie aesthetic is what has led to the site’s expansion and success both locally and internationally. Groundbreakers in the Australian online fashion market, Market HQ takes the stress out of shopping and acts as the consumer’s virtual stylist thanks to a standout ‘Buy the Look’ functionality.
of the party but the antithesis of arrogance. She loves fashion magazines and blogs and is always one step ahead of the trends. She loves to shop and rocks out a new outfit every Saturday night, accessorising with quirky statements pieces and inspiring envy in all of her friends. She is freespirited, a little bit crazy and loves to laugh. Her friends are her life and she is obsessed with all things music, art and pop culture.
photography: sarah adamson. Styling: georgie hilton. HAIR AND MAKEUP: desiree wise. model: rachel @ chic. www.shopmarkethq.com.au
product development
ouse of Quirky also has a private label division which provides design and manufacturing services for many leading international retailers, including Urban Outfitters UK, Urban Outfitters US, ASOS, Nasty Gal, Forever 21 and Billabong. We specialise in working with our customers to create unique styles and we are known for our focus on unique designs, quality and price, as well as sourcing our fabrics and exclusive prints from around the world. We manage the whole process from concept through to production and bulk handover so our retailers know they can trust us to control the supply chain and ensure each and every garment produced is of the highest quality. Our product development for private label can be broken down into the following areas; Main Range Developments, Capsule Collections and Private Label developments. And we also work on numerous individual style requests. So how does it work? Main Range Developments are driven off the main International Ranges and cover all House of Quirky brands. Say for example a customer wants to make a slight change to a main range style… or maybe they want to use a current print but in a new block… or vice versa. Well, we make that happen!
With Capsule Collections, these are briefed to our Production Development Manager and the most relevant designers are selected to work on the project. The customer sends through their brief along with things like mood boards and inspirations so our designers know the themes and messaging they need to convey within the collection. The designers then develop a capsule collection unique to this customer, with ranges varying from three to 20 pieces depending on the customer’s requirements. Private label developments can work on a couple of different levels. We can develop an exclusive label for a customer, provide six weekly design updates and manage the styles from concept to production. Alternatively, we have a range of styles in our LA office library which we can re-label to suit our North American customers’ in-house brands. We can also develop off these styles to create a perfect fit for the customer. In Australia we produce for the labels NuNui, LONGLOST, Agent 99, Neon Hart, Subtitled, Nude Lucy, Lulu & Rose, I Like Wolves, Loverbird and 1&20 Blackbirds. For these local customers we develop under their in-house brands with developments based on local ranges. Ranges launch every six weeks and we meet with customers, talk about their seasonal trends and sales targets and then develop product to suit their individual branding and consumers. For specific customers we develop a brand-related Product Development capsule bi-monthly, which the buyers select from to create strong capsule ranges for maximum impact in store and online.
photography: byron spencer. Styling: nancy sea siler. HAIR AND MAKEUP: jodie mckenzie. models: valentina @ chic, zippora @ IMG
photography: sheisfrank. Styling: pip vassett. HAIR AND MAKEUP: megan harrison. models: samantha @chic, avril @ london, kelsey @ priscillas.
www.houseofquirky.com