I'd like to introduce you, my darling readers, to Ebony Harding and her out-of-this-world-level-of-beautiful label LittleGracie.
This label is an aray of pastels, feminine frills and and ravishing ruffles. LittleGracie screams (in a very gentile way) to me tales of cute little girls eating fairy floss and cupcakes.
I don't think you can possibly go past these amazing dresses if you are looking to relive your own childish memories - or if you're trying to re-clutch at your innocence.
Photos by Kerri Mackintosh Photography
I caught up with Ebony recently, to chat about LittleGracie. as well as about her style and her career in fashion design so far.
Check it out!
Check it out!
E: So, tell us about your label!
EH: Well LittleGracie is all about feeling beautiful. I wanted to create clothing which had a difference to them and standout. An artwork in itself.
I’m all about ruffles! The more the merrier I say. The label celebrates femininity, with soft ruffles and alluring details spread throughout all the collections.
Sum up your label's latest collection in five words.
Girly, frilly, playful, colourful and feminine.
Who/what/where do you draw fashion inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from the natural elegance of nature and flowers- the shape, the texture and colour. I love the uniqueness of it.
I also get a lot of inspiration from vintage styles, being taught to sew and knit by my Nan, I was brought into a whole world of past traditions that I just fell in love with.
What was the first thing you sewed?
Well... the first thing I sewed, and am still pretty proud of it I must say...was a patchwork ra-ra skirt. I had help, but I think I did okay.
Who is the one person that you’d love to see wearing your clothes?
To be quite honest, I don’t really have one. I’m still waiting for the moment to walk down the street and see someone in one of my designs! I think that would make the happiest.
Describe your favourite never fail outfit from your wardrobe!
I would have to say...my black high waisted taffeta full circle skirt, with an oversized white tee and black opaque stockings, with a vintage scarf...and a dash of coloured lippy.
How did you get to where you are today?
I left school in Year 12....with noses turned up by the teachers thinking I’d get nowhere, ha! I studied two years at Fremantle TAFE in Clothing and Production where I won the Attitude Emerging Talent award, and then did my third year Diploma at Bentley Swan TAFE, where I won the Libertine Mentorship Award.
And as soon as I had graduated I started my label up. I was an eager one.
The label is just over 1 year old now.
And I would do it all over again if I could, It was the best three years! A lot of hard work, disappointments, late nights and tears, but its all worth it if it’s your passion.
Where do you see your label going in the near future? Do you have any long term goals for your label?
In the near future, I’m just going to continue to expand the label into more stores, and I would love to travel and study at the Paris/American Academy of Fashion in Paris.
And eventually open my own store here in Perth, stocking both my label and local and national emerging designers.
Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion designers?
Ooh this question makes me feel special!...
Dont give up! The fashion industry is a very honest industry, you have to learn to brush things off and stay true to yourself. Work hard, and if you love what your doing it will all fall into place.
Where can we get our hands on your pieces?
My designs are available at:
Lady Petrova, Flinders lane in Melbourne and FashionWa.com.
And in store in September at Harry and Gretel, Leederville and Tu, Northbridge.
EH: Well LittleGracie is all about feeling beautiful. I wanted to create clothing which had a difference to them and standout. An artwork in itself.
I’m all about ruffles! The more the merrier I say. The label celebrates femininity, with soft ruffles and alluring details spread throughout all the collections.
Sum up your label's latest collection in five words.
Girly, frilly, playful, colourful and feminine.
Who/what/where do you draw fashion inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from the natural elegance of nature and flowers- the shape, the texture and colour. I love the uniqueness of it.
I also get a lot of inspiration from vintage styles, being taught to sew and knit by my Nan, I was brought into a whole world of past traditions that I just fell in love with.
What was the first thing you sewed?
Well... the first thing I sewed, and am still pretty proud of it I must say...was a patchwork ra-ra skirt. I had help, but I think I did okay.
Who is the one person that you’d love to see wearing your clothes?
To be quite honest, I don’t really have one. I’m still waiting for the moment to walk down the street and see someone in one of my designs! I think that would make the happiest.
Describe your favourite never fail outfit from your wardrobe!
I would have to say...my black high waisted taffeta full circle skirt, with an oversized white tee and black opaque stockings, with a vintage scarf...and a dash of coloured lippy.
How did you get to where you are today?
I left school in Year 12....with noses turned up by the teachers thinking I’d get nowhere, ha! I studied two years at Fremantle TAFE in Clothing and Production where I won the Attitude Emerging Talent award, and then did my third year Diploma at Bentley Swan TAFE, where I won the Libertine Mentorship Award.
And as soon as I had graduated I started my label up. I was an eager one.
The label is just over 1 year old now.
And I would do it all over again if I could, It was the best three years! A lot of hard work, disappointments, late nights and tears, but its all worth it if it’s your passion.
Where do you see your label going in the near future? Do you have any long term goals for your label?
In the near future, I’m just going to continue to expand the label into more stores, and I would love to travel and study at the Paris/American Academy of Fashion in Paris.
And eventually open my own store here in Perth, stocking both my label and local and national emerging designers.
Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion designers?
Ooh this question makes me feel special!...
Dont give up! The fashion industry is a very honest industry, you have to learn to brush things off and stay true to yourself. Work hard, and if you love what your doing it will all fall into place.
Where can we get our hands on your pieces?
My designs are available at:
Lady Petrova, Flinders lane in Melbourne and FashionWa.com.
And in store in September at Harry and Gretel, Leederville and Tu, Northbridge.
xo
