Talented designer and milliner Victoria Paige is the creator behind elegant millinery and accessory brand Aurelia Paige. “I design and hand-make all the pieces that I sell,” she explains.
“The brand originally launched in 2017, and was rebranded in December 2022. I have been creating for as long as I can remember from little toilet paper roses as a small child to making a velvet gown for a formal in high school. I fell in love with Millinery in 2011 and haven’t looked back,” Victoria explains.
“I studied Millinery at The Melbourne Fashion Institute as I was working in corporate at the time and desperately needed a creative outlet. The brand developed, in an almost cliche way now, of growing out of what was a hobby and becoming more disillusioned with corporate life.”
As for the brand name, Victoria explains that it is an echo of her childhood in Britain.
“Growing up in Oxfordshire, I went to school with a girl called Aurelia and I secretly always wished that was my name too. Paige came from my love of books and how I’m almost always getting lost and inspired with books,” she laughs.
“The first launch was a delightful gathering with my first ever Spring range on display, and about 40 people there to help me celebrate.”
INSPIRED BY INTRICACY
“[I’m inspired by] brands that love to use intricate detailing and embroidery in their designs, I’m always drawn to those, think Alexander McQueen, Erdem, Paolo Sebastian and Tamara Ralph.
“Old Hollywood glam is a favourite as well, Dior from the 40s and 50s. Brands that are timeless, innovative and love to create beautiful clothing.”
Victoria says that she has “always loved the idea of having a brand that celebrates how unique we all are, and I create for people who enjoy wearing something beautiful just because we can, the fearless people who love to experiment with fashion and who aren’t afraid to stand out”.
Aurelia Paige has an aesthetic that resonates with those of us of the romantic persuasion.
“It’s an olden day romance for a modern world. I love all things that are romantic, elegant and have a little modern twist to them. It’s sophisticated, but with an edge,” Victoria explains.
A CHAMPION OF SLOW FASHION
As a demi-couture brand — one that is mostly made-to-order — Victoria says she is a “champion of slow fashion”.
“Most of my items are one-off designs that are made to order. It’s run this way to ensure that I’m not over ordering on materials or having excess stock. Where possible I use offcuts that I source from local bridal designers and dead-stock.
“Everything is handmade by me in my home studio and we fully embrace and champion slow fashion,” Victoria says.
THE FUTURE
“I have so many ideas for the brand and sketch books full of designs, I think my main goal would be to see the brand grow and encourage more people to return to appreciating the quality and individuality of handmade [fashion and accessories] and seeing it as the ultimate luxury that it is.
“If I can get a hat onto The Princess of Wales along the way, that would also be lovely!”
For more information about Aurelia Paige and to book an appointment, go to aureliapaige.com. You can also follow the brand at @aureliapaige_
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