Designer Kate Thornell created Garçonne the label in 2018 after searching for clothes that suited her personal style. Thornell describes the brand as a mix of “French workwear from the 30s to the high-waisted pants and gorgeous dresses of the 40s; Harris Tweed waistcoats from the 70s to the denim overalls I wore as a child in the 80s” on her website. Thornell also wanted the brand to be part of the Slow Fashion Movement.
“My collection is created from my love of beautiful textiles: linens, organic cottons, soft wools and silks; my love for the softness of Cashmere and Alpaca; my love for winter and the countryside,” writes Thornell. “I am inspired by the countryside where I live. I am inspired by all things old and beautiful.”
Thornell chose the brand’s name for its historical links to the 1920s French flappers, as well as its tie to the Tomboy fashion aesthetic. “Garçonne is [also] used today to describe the modern gentlewoman: think Tilda Swinton and Dianne Keaton,” writes Thornell.
Although Garçonne the label originally started as an idea for a small knitwear range, after working with a knitwear consultant and enjoying the creativity, Thornell decided to take the leap and launch as a full womenswear brand also incorporating linen garments.
“I love using natural fibres throughout my collections, from Wools and Linens, cottons and silks, but the predominant fabric used for my label is linen,” explains Thornell. Garçonne the label only produces limited numbers of items using natural yarns like alpaca and wool, and linen in small runs for each trans-seasonal collections.
“Garçonne is about embracing slow fashion. I encourage my customers to make sustainable choices by buying timeless pieces that are made well and will last,” writes Thornell on her website. “I choose to use natural fibres and fabrics to support that sustainable goal.”
Website: garconne.com.au Instagram: @garconne_the_label
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