Sweet Bitter
Annelise Cavenoni
(She/Her)
Perth, Australia (Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar land).
Sweet Bitter clothing is designed to be innovative and outlive trends.It is for the individuals that see the power in dressing for themselves as a form of expression and are mindful of what they are consuming so they purchase the clothing with the intent of wearing it for years.
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Where did your passion originate?
“I was always a very creative kid, constantly making things, drawing and painting. I found as I got to that age your parents no longer dress you, I relished at the opportunity to form my outfits even if they were somewhat questionable most of the time.
The way I dressed myself only grew to be more important and truly personal for me as I grew up. What I came to realise was that through my clothing i was able to truly express whatever version of myself I wanted to embody that day. I found this such a powerful tool in really grounding myself and being able to express to others who I am without the need for words.
It wasn’t until I went to Japan in 2018 that my eyes truly opened to the world of possibilities when it came to fashion. Seeing everybody dress so authentically and without any concerns of judgment from others was so beautiful, you could really tell everyone was dressing solely for themselves and taking pride in it. Not to mention the type of clothing some people were wearing was like nothing I had ever seen before whether it was the unique cut of collar or the use of a pair of pants as sleeves, I was filled with admiration and inspiration.
I knew then that I wanted to create clothing for people that also saw the way they dressed as an opportunity to express themselves”
What inspires you and inspires your work?
I am inspired by the idea of clothing that is innovative and has a point of difference. Within this I find myself gravitating towards the potential of textures and loud prints inspiring and exciting. I often look at sports/tactical wear for inspiration which I then like to contrast with more form fitting and elevated designs. That being said a lot of my inspiration also comes from other creatives that are creating with authenticity which is reflective in their work being so unique. Some of my favourites to name a few are, Charlotte Knowles, Isa Boulder, Ottolinger and Barragan.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement to date?
The response I had to my very first collection (The Spring 2021 collection). I did not expect so many people to love my designs and support my brand so early on.
How has your practice changed over time?
“Over the past year I’ve been able to work less hours at my day job giving me a lot more time to dedicate to Sweet Bitter. This has allowed me to experiment more and give me the time I needed to teach myself the other important aspects of running a clothing brand. So overall I say my practice has changed to be more fine-tuned and aligned with the quality of work I want to be putting out there”
What do you hope your audience gains from your work?
I hope my audience is able to see Sweet Bitter clothing as something that will allow them to tap into their authentic selves and truly express that to the external world. I want it to give them that confidence one feels when they are grounded and confident in themselves for being the unique person they are.
What is next for you?
This year I just want to keep growing and learning as a designer/business owner so that I can assure the clothing I am putting out into the world aligns with my values and the values of my customers. I am most excited to continue creating and experimenting with my designs/clothing so that I can start to form a consistent and authentic aesthetic to Sweet Bitter.