When best friends and fellow students Isabella Demartini and Georgie Allen graduated with their Bachelors of Fashion (Design) (Honours) at RMIT University, they knew they wanted to work for themselves, and to work with each other.
At the start of 2020 the two joined forces and started making clothes they couldn’t find in stores. Originally a wardrobe planned for a trip to Europe, but the pandemic intervened and the travel collection became the first for their new brand AND.BEAR that was launched at the end of 2020.
AND.BEAR’s name came from Georgie’s gorgeous Dalmatian ‘Bear’, who was so full of personality he starred in the brand’s first photoshoot.
The AND.BEAR aesthetic is a mix of simple, minimal shapes that are modern takes on ‘wardrobe essentials’ in neutral shades with touches of hot colour – imagine linen midi skirts, oversized shirts, clever tailored crop tops and wrap minis – the brand also does a limited range of simple menswear.
Like all responsible fashion brands, AND.BEAR has a strong sustainable focus; following the principles of Slow/Circular Fashion Movements, striving to deliver conscious collections. Each garment is made to order and hand sewn by the designers using only natural and organic fabrics.
The designers encourage re-use, return or the composting of their products in order to keep textile waste out of landfill, and also take back their branded garments for recycling purposes.
Website: www.andbear.com | Instagram: @and__bear
Discover more interesting independent Australian fashion brands in Our Fashion Stories section.
