While you were distracted by the latest luxury It-whatever (and the shiny, ridiculously expensive global marketing behind it) slow local fashion makers were carefully, quietly crafting their wares regardless - on a fraction of the budgets of the big fashion names.

It's time to take more notice of them! Because if we don’t support the independents, how will they thrive? Can small local makers compete with the big guys today, and should they try? Or is it time to build new networks that create a totally different playing field?

Meet one woman going her own way - and sharing what she’s learned along it.

Simone Agius is the Melbourne maker behind Simetrie - a disruptive, hand-crafted accessories brand that's challenging norms. This a bright conversation about sharing, being a maker not a marketer - and how together we might reset fashion’s values.

NOTES

CRAFTSWOMANSHIP - literally. Read about the DESIGN PROCESS here. Simetrie celebrates the women behind the making of the bags. Meet the makers here. How do they do it? They say: “Every product we make is assembled by hand and therefore carries with it a story of who made it. We honour our handcrafted goods as we are nostalgic when it comes to traditional craftsmanship, but also because when we make by hand we feel a greater sense of accomplishment. It also means human care is taken with each product.” Read more here.

MATERIALS info here . Want more info on Kangaroo leather/meat - this Guardian story is interesting.

WATER-BASED GLUES are more sustainable. Read about solvents here.

HERMÈ S has been touring it’s processes in exhibition form for years and it’s lovely. The original Hermès Festival des Métiers debuted in 2011, and was a big hit at London’s Saatchi gallery two years later. Hermès at Work showed at Melbourne Town Hall in 2018. Clare saw this one when it came to Sydney in 2014, and interviewed Hermès MD Guillaume de Seynes for Wardrobe Crisis, the book.

VISIBILITY As Simone says, it’s easy to see, or find out how, things are repaired at your local cobblers or alterations shop, but we don’t tend to see the creation side.

“LUXURY IS TURNING OUT TO BE THIS EXPENSIVE STATUS SYMBOL… IT’S SOMETHING YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH, IT’S A STATUS SYMBOL. TRUE LUXURY SHOULD STAND FOR BEAUTIFUL OBJECTS MADE WITH LOVE, THEY SHOULD BE SHOWCASING WHO’S BEHIND IT.” - SIMONE AGIUS

TRUE COST Not everyone is as transparent as Hermès. Obviously global luxury brands bump up their prices because they can, and because the brand’s image is valuable in itself. It is not usually easy to figure out how prices are arrived at, or how pieces are made. What do you think? Get in touch & tell us on Instagram - find Simone @_simetrie, fine Clare @mrspress

SHARING Before she even had a brand, Simone was teaching other people her craft and process. She is very open about what takes to produce her designs and wants to share love. They say: “At Simétrie, we believe everyone should experience the feeling of creation, because when we create something ourselves – we feel good and treasure it for longer, if not forever.” Find the workshops here.