Olivia Gow from Arthur Apparel: A Conversation

Launched in 2016 on Australia's NSW South Coast, they're the local brand creating garments that come with a form of solace, meticulously crafted with a focus on everlasting design. I caught up with brand founder, Olivia Gow, to talk about Arthur Apparel.

1. When a customer wears your clothes, what do you hope she feels?

First and foremost, I hope she feels empowered. I hope she feels comfortable and confident in herself and in her beliefs. I hope she understands that the clothes do not make her who she is, but rather compliments her beauty in a very subtle way.

2. Why do you choose to focus on such a minimalistic style with the brand? Is it an intentional or organic decision?

I’ve always been drawn to minimalistic style. I feel as though it lets the person behind the clothing be seen. It’s a type of loud expression without having to say much at all. Less is more, so they say. So I guess you would say that it is quite organic. However, I also strongly believe in the versatility of a product. I want someone to purchase Arthur Apparel and wear the garment time and time again. In this sense, it is intentional for the designs to be quite minimal in appearance.

3. Tell us about the name "Arthur".

Arthur is the name of my late father. He was very much a minimalist in the way that he lived - not too fond of flashy things and definitely not an excess of them. He cared for the environment and cared strongly for the well-being of humankind. I try to carry his lessons through my work and hope that as a worldwide collective, the push towards slow fashion increases in order to improve our environment and the lives of those in it.

4. What inspired your latest collection?

My latest collection, Home, was inspired by all things comfort. Just like most of my collections, I aim to design outfits that create, both visually and functionally, a sense of ease while worn - a certain slouchiness that often occupies the household, bum-dinted sofa of a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Images via Arthur Apparel

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