Community

When Jakki and Russell came to our South Brisbane studio yesterday afternoon, it was so natural for us to start a conversation about fashion. I saw that they were both wearing Trippen shoes.We started to try on a few of our recent dogstar pieces, it was so easy for Jakki to style herself. She knew exactly how she liked to wear them layering with her old dogstar pieces. Russell was also wearing beautiful Trippen shoes. They already had their own styles. Both of them. dogstar has known Jakki and Russell for more than 20 years. It was so beautiful to watch how Jakki and Russell create conversation. Russell...

I’ve created a connection with Sabine Von Graz @sabine_von_graz and her beautiful family through the realm of art. Born in Austria, Sabine crafts one-of-a-kind, vibrant, fairy-like creations, and her intricate artworks truly catch people’s eye. Upon visiting Sabine’s home, I found myself unable to tear my gaze away from the enchanting creations of both her and her husband. Every corner of their house seemed to emerge from a wonderland. Using recycled materials, Sabine and her husband, Richard, fashioned their creations from scratch. The room of their lovely daughter, Ginger, resembled a space straight out of Alice in Wonderland! Engaging Sabine in the...

Some of you may remember this image from our “WATER CRYSTAL” collection from SS09. My old friend, @paola_milani_art created this beautiful artwork in 2009. From the entire dogstar collections over the last 26 years, this design has been one of the most asked for. Paola has been one of my old friends since I came to Brisbane a long time ago. We used to have so much fun with her friends going out, listening to music in the Valley before we had our children.You may be familiar with Paola’s artwork from Brisbane based aromatherapy brand @perfectpotion Many of their artworks are also created by...

Earlier in the year I was approached for the opportunity to design the uniforms for the Queensland Youth Orchestra, based in Brisbane for their Europe tour.The QYO team wanted to incorporate and celebrate the indigenous heritage of this land through the uniform whilst performing internationally. I knew the perfect artist for the collaboration. Delvene Cockatoo-Collins. I contacted Delvene immediately with excitement. I knew she would create beautiful artwork for the uniform.  She presented me with her artwork titled ‘from Pulan to Mulgumpin’ meaning from Amity to Moreton. "Once so close our people could communicate with each other. ""'Pulan to Mulgumpin' represents the view...

One Sunday afternoon, I had a chat with Hannah Macklin @hannahmacklin.yo, a singer-songwriter from Brisbane. I've never met her before and didn't know much about her personality.   We got connected through Hannah's song, "Mono no Aware" (Sense of Impermanence), which sparked our conversation. As we talked, her soft-spoken manner revealed her excitement when discussing Japanese culture. Hannah's gentle yet strong and confident presence made me think of a modern-day ninja. I had a clear image in my mind and started sketching a ninja-inspired design right away.   It had a cool street style while still keeping a feminine touch. We up-cycled a...

Here is a photo of our small family at dogstar, taken at our South Brisbane studio. Our retail members are not in this image today.  Each of us come from different countries and create something unique every day. Looking at our image here, I just started to smile.  Each of us have strengths and weaknesses but when we are together our creation is big and different.  These one off vintage kimonos were uniquely hand printed in Arnhem Land. Blending new and old cultures with old histories to create something uniquely new with our hands and then pass them to you to add another unique element by you...

In the rich tapestry of cultural exchange and design, the fusion of Japanese and Indigenous traditions emerges as a vibrant celebration. It's a harmonious blending that bridges generations, breathing new life into age-old practices. Through shared artistry and thoughtful design, these cultures come together, not as a clash, but as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and the enduring legacy of traditions. It's a testament to the power of collaboration to weave a vibrant tapestry where the threads of heritage and innovation intertwine, leaving a colourful legacy for generations to come.   This is my version of KIN...

Over the last 25 years we have met many customers, and many of them are still my important customers. They are unique, artistic and individual women who know about themselves. Interesting thing is that they have been bringing their children, friends, and/or partners to our boutiques and we have now connected with our customers' families. Those families are now telling us their stories with dogstar. I love those stories that they tell us.  Many of those old dogstar clothes have been passed to the next generation or to their friends and still in great condition.All of us have changed our lifestyles and also our body shapes over the 20+...

Many businesses experience challenges similar to us at dogstar, we have had several big changes since Covid.There were so many adjustments for our business to go through during that period.We closed our boutique in Melbourne and opened a pop up store in the Indooroopilly Shopping centre.It was supposed to be a temporary space but we met so many new customers in the Indooroopilly boutique and we ended up staying there for three years. But it is time to move again.Many of our customers live in Westend and suggested we open a store there, it looks like there are great opportunities...

Over the past 25 years, I have been working with many unique creators at dogstar.  Each of us has a different cultural backgrounds and uniqueness.When we create, so many different thoughts and ideas are thrown up in the air and dogstar is able to absorb and unify those energies.  I have been working with some of them for almost 25 years.We know each other so well and are friends as well as colleagues.Sometimes our ideas clash and we argue and debate, but I love the process.Often the garments and images turn out very differently to what I originally expected.   I hope you...

I have known the bride for nearly 15 years.. maybe more..? I don't quite remember.  It is so special for me to make a wedding dress for someone that I have known for such a long time.  She lives in the UK now and the wedding ceremony will be held over there. All the bride's family and friends from Brisbane are unfortunately unable to attend due to global travel restrictions.   So, on the wedding dress completion day, I invited the bride's mother Sue (who lives in Brisbane) to see the dress before we send to the UK next Monday. ...