Phoebe Tonkin. Jane Birkin. Sienna Miller. Three very different women, to be sure, but we can see each of them wearing this divine white linen dress.
Made by Lucy and Michelle Perrett, the sisters behind Bondi-based label Matin, right here in their seaside studio, it’s the kind of piece you’d pack for a summer holiday, or throw on for a scorching Sydney day.
“Our silk linen dress with lace trim details is true to everything we love about Matin,” says Lucy, who with her sister was nominated as a finalist for the lauded Prix de marie claire Next Gen award, sponsored by Lexus. “It’s a timeless piece, with a relaxed yet refined silhouette.”
While the dress epitomises effortless style, its design process was nowhere near that simple. “Craftsmanship is so important to us,” Michelle says. “This dress is a little bit difficult to make with all of the detailing, pin tucks and trims, but since everything is made right here, we oversee every element of the design process, creating the garment from beginning to end.”
Everything is made by hand from natural fibres – soft cottons and linens, mainly, and some silks. “Finding the right fabrics is really important to us,” Lucy says. “It’s the feel of natural fibres on the body, that raw feel that our fabrics give the overall garment.”
What at first glance looks like a simple white dress is a actually a precious example of local craftsmanship, with painstakingly positioned pleats to ensure it falls breezily along the body. “We like that contrast of having something flowing and easy to wear combined with intricate detail,” Lucy explains.
“With Matin designs, it’s about more than the way they look; it’s how they work inside out and, more importantly, how they make you feel.”
Anything that evokes that elusive holiday spirit (or makes us feel like Phoebe Tonkin) has earnt a tick of approval from us.
Lexus is proud to support Prix de marie claire, and the Next Gen Award, which recognises and supports emerging fashion talent.
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