Australian girlswear label Petite Amalie, the creation of former textiles and womenswear buyer Alex Vardakis, has launched at Childrensalon for a/w 23. The brand is known for its romantic dresses with a distinctly vintage feel.

Highlights include classic, heritage-inspired cuts, artisan techniques, and fabrics ranging from velvets to gossamer lace. Petite Amalie has also branched out into daywear. This collection comprises more relaxed pieces made from soft denim, corduroy, chambray and wool.

 

 

Although launched in 2017, the inspiration behind Petite Amalie goes back to Vardakis’ childhood, when she loved nothing more than spending hours trawling through antique fabrics and vintage clothing with her mum.

“I’ve loved textiles ever since I was a little girl,” she says. “My mum would always take me to antique stores to buy little remnants of Victorian or Edwardian fabric or beautiful little baby dresses just for the sheer beauty of them. I have quite a collection of vintage fabrics, remnants and also pillowcases and beautiful embroidered sheets.”

 

 

While Vardakis regularly researches museum and vintage pieces for inspiration, she is very aware that her clothing needs to appeal to a younger audience.

“Petite Amalie is definitely an ode to the old world,” she continues. “My designs all have that in common, but I suppose for me, it’s about presenting them in a fresh way and looking at how the modern girl would wear them.”

Vardakis and her family, which includes her three daughters who are also her muses, are based in Melbourne and are of Greek heritage. Vardakis’ life-long fascination with textiles and her very real understanding of what children want to wear means that she always tests the clothes on her children.

 

 

“A dress can be beautiful and stunning but if it’s not comfortable, or if it doesn’t feel right, they just won’t wear it. I started the brand when my girls were little and I was looking for beautiful dresses for them to wear to events and there was a real lack of that here in Australia.”

Also commenting is Dina Moon, Head of Buying at Childrensalon. “At Childrensalon, we love discovering brands that share our passion for high-quality, hand-finished clothing that has the power to transport children’s imaginations and make them feel truly special. That is why we are thrilled to welcome Petite Amalie into our fold.”

For further information on Petite Amalie, please click here.