ELLIE VALLELY – PERSONAL BEST
Fashion
Melbourne, VIC
I am the designer and maker behind SQUINT. I started my brand straight out of uni in 2016 in Edinburgh, but I’ve been based in Melbourne since 2018.
This collection was designed during lockdown; it celebrates your everyday wins and dressing for joy. I pulled references from childhood celebrations and nostalgic sporting events, juxtaposing them with SQUINT’s signature style of playful naivety with thoughtful details and functionality. I chose classic fabrics of check and corduroy to evoke feelings of childhood and carefreeness. I also focused on natural fibres, lower-impact fabrics such as Tencel as well as vintage fabric from op-shops.
I also collaborated with Dorkus Design and we combined our mutual love for simple shapes and childhood collectables and prizes. We created accessories, earrings and keyrings you could mix and match.
Creating such a joyful collection from my home studio during a time when the world was so scary was powerful. Optimism felt like a rebellion.
