Hi Danya! Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your fashion background?
I did textiles in high school but that’s as far as my fashion background goes. I have always loved anything creative and sewing was something that I found quite therapeutic, so I am pretty much entirely self-taught.
When did you gain an interest in fashion, and how did Aunad come to be?
I never intended to start a clothing brand, I needed some new clothing for myself so I thought I’d attempt to make some, from there it organically grew into a business. Ironically, I actually was never really interested in fashion, to me clothing was more practical. Although, the more that I learnt about garment making, the more I appreciated the work that went into every piece of clothing. My interest in the stylistic aspect of fashion has definitely grown over time, although for me, the interest is more in the construction of the piece and the longevity of it as opposed to the trend/style aspect that is usually only temporary. I have always hated fast fashion, low quality pieces that only get worn once. I have tried to stray as far away from that as possible. I spend a lot of time first creating each pattern, sampling and often trialling a piece for months before finalising it so that I’m confident its comfortable and durable. That is definitely my key focus in designing my pieces, I prioritise the practical side of clothing, which is why my clothing is quite minimal. I want my pieces to be timeless rather than ‘seasonal’. In saying that, I am in love with 90s fashion and the more I watch any 90s tv shows/music videos I fall more in love with the aesthetic aspect of fashion.
Could you explain the name?
I always planned on changing the name but never got around to it. It’s pretty much just my name backwards with one letter changed because it looked visually nicer haha, not a very exciting story there. Honestly thinking of a name was surprisingly one of the hardest decisions in starting my business.
Who are your fashion idols and inspirations?
I don’t really have any specific fashion idols, I’m much more inspired by what I see day to day in real life. Everyday people wearing what makes them comfortable with their own visual spin. I’m also super inspired by op shops honestly, just walking around you get so much exposure to such a broad mix of fabrics, designs, eras of fashion and that is what inspires me most. A constant inspiration to me is Debra McGuire who was the stylist for the entire series of ‘friends’. I know it’s a pretty typical response to say friend’s fashion but I’m genuinely blown away by the ensembles put together in that show. The fabric and pieces used stand out so much but are still just everyday outfits, which is exactly what I love about fashion.
What is your favourite item in your closet?
I’m not one to own things that I don’t regularly wear but I have the most beautiful 1930s silk negligee. I have to say it’s definitely more of a decorative wall hanging as I spend more time looking at it than wearing it.
But for everyday use my favourite item is definitely my bamboo undies haha, they are so comfortable and are my favourite piece that I’ve made.
How would you describe Aunad to someone who's never seen it before?
Focused on ethics and sustainably minded, Aunad provides minimal, comfortable, and high quality clothing that is made to last.
What are your favourite fabrics to work with?
I work with predominantly organic bamboo blends sourced from Queensland. It’s my staple fabric as it has so many amazing properties and I love to work with it and wear it. I also use a selection of deadstock fabric for my swimwear and one-off pieces as well as occasionally reworking second hand clothing/donated fabrics.
Have read a bit about your sustainability practices - from the sourcing to the packaging - it's all super impressive! How did you find out about the best and most ethical way to commit to such processes? And, is it difficult?
I definitely have a strong focus on ethics, which at the moment isn’t too hard considering its all made by myself. Although I still needed to take into account where the fabric is made and sourced as well as any thread/ finishing items. I initially did quite a lot of research in to sourcing the items that I couldn’t make myself (i.e., packaging, fabrics) and have found some amazing companies that are listed in further detail on my website.
In terms of sustainability, overall, fashion is not sustainable which is why I use the term sustainably minded. The most sustainable fashion is not contributing at all, by not buying anything new. But sometimes we need new clothing so my aim is to offer the most sustainable clothing I can. There are so many aspects that go into achieving this, including not only the materials used but also by spending a lot of time developing pieces so they are functional, releasing only small runs of clothing as to avoid overproduction, making sure sizing is clearly listed so customers will be comfortable in their pieces and will actually wear them often, and also creating high quality pieces that they will have forever.
What has been your favourite piece you’ve designed / created?
Definitely the undies are a favourite as they’re the most worn piece for me personally. I also really love creating one off pieces as it’s a challenge and I learn something new every time I work with a new piece/fabric.
What do you think is the most exciting element of Australia's fashion industry right now?
Without a doubt the element I love the most is the growing interest and demand for slow fashion. Ethically made pieces that people really consider before buying rather than impulse buying. There are so many amazing local designers coming out of Australia right now and I’m so inspired by the work these new brands have put in.
Finally, what's next for you!?
I have recently been looking in to garment manufacturing as my business is starting to outgrow being a one woman show. It has been a massive challenge trying to find a small-scale manufacturer that is high quality, trustworthy, ethical and affordable, so its most likely going to be a pretty lengthy process, and I definitely don’t want to commit to something I’m not 100% happy with. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to working with other creatives, participating in collabs, markets and photoshoots.
