DÉSORDRE

By PENELOPE PELECAS

Known for its luxury fashion and fun, eccentric pieces, Désordre Boutique is fast-becoming one of Australia’s leading fashion boutiques. Founded in 2009 by fashion powerhouse Shannon Thomas, the go-to party boutique, which started in funky, high-energy Darlinghurst, has made its way over to sunny Brisbane, and we can’t get enough! We sat down with Shannon to learn more about her savvy, entrepreneur ways.

How does it feel to be considered one of the best party-wear boutiques?

It’s still surreal. I don’t take it for granted at all, every single experience and every client is [still] really important to me. We are still self-funded and a small business, so it’s very difficult to do everything all the time, and be everywhere, so I’m trying to keep the standard as high as possible with the clothes. It is slow fashion and really special standout pieces. I just keep setting the bar higher and higher for myself. I didn’t realise I was such a perfectionist; I certainly don’t think I was this way in high school ha-ha!

How was Désordre born?

There were so many beautiful designers around, but every single store had the same offering, and it would never feel that special. I was also motivated by editorials and all their beautiful imagery; I was just so hungry for it.

Story behind the name?

It’s French for mess, so that’s how it originated. It’s like a really beautiful mess. And when I started the business, we did like pop-ups in different locations, and I was only 21 and I was friends with lots of designers. I had these grand ideas with no money, so it was a good way to start it.

Where did your passion for fashion come from?

My mum worked in a retail store on Oxford Street [in Sydney], literally almost before I could remember. And I use to tag along on sick days… folding t-shirts on the floor, watching her serve etc. Every experience I’ve had with fashion was a good one. That’s literally what gives me the most happiness, someone coming in and finding something you can see they light up in.

Why James St and where to next?

A lot of Brissy clients reached out, and asked when are we going to be next. I just love Brisbane, I love Queensland –you can show skin and have fun with it, it’s just really on brand for us. I’m not opposed to more, but not this year. I think I just want to really focus in on everything.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I feel like I’m a bit erratic with my days. I hopefully wake up before my daughter and just check-in if there’s any emails. I do Zooms morning and night. When I go to Melbourne or Brisbane, I get up at 5am. I try to exercise every morning. I’m usually jumping between the stores… my favourite days are in store with clients.

Any advice for others wanting to start their own fashion label or boutique?

It’s definitely finding a niche. So, for me, you know the reason everything we have is so wow and party is because that’s what people are coming to us for. I wasn’t having success when I would be doing basic swim or a t-shirt, the odd one does well, but people don’t come to us for that.

What celebrity would you most like to dress and why?

I just saw Babylon on the weekend, and I just love Margot Robbie. She’s great, she’s a real body, and she’s still real. I would love to dress her, she would be fun.

What trends are you loving?

Denim, OMG, it’s not going anywhere! It’s denim overload at the moment, wide-leg denim, long denim skirts, short denim skirts, everything you can imagine that’s usually done in a black silk is denim.

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Fast Five

Describe your style: A little bit fierce and sexy … tough pretty.

Favourite fashion era: I’m actually kind of loving what we’re in now, where there’s no rules.

Wouldn’t be seen in: Never say never!

Holiday destination: Anywhere with a beach, no reception, and my family.

Morning or night: I used to be night, but now I’m a morning person.

As the latest aesthetic to captivate social media, this season we’re lusting over the ‘Vanilla Girl’ vibe. She loves a quality skincare routine and wrapping up in cosy knits while she journals her daily motivations and breathes in the smooth vanilla scent in the air. She’s adorned in delicate shades of beige and cream and appreciates a minimalist approach to life. Being vanilla never felt so good!

By BETHAN WARRIOR