Adelaide label Acler launched in 2015 to fill a gap for high-end pieces at an affordable price. The local label is predominantly recognised for its event wear – sculptural, contemporary dresses and separates with dramatic detailing, whether that be a cascade of ruffles or delicate appliqué.
The brand shot to wider fame after Beyoncé posted several photos wearing its Fyffe Bodice top back in 2017.
Now its founders, Julia Ritorto and Kathryn Forth, together with designer Amy Nolan, have launched Significant Other: an Adelaide-born luxe loungewear label for “the modern woman”.
“We wanted to create a brand that empowered women to feel feminine by combining relaxed silhouettes with elevated styling,” Nolan tells Broadsheet. “Each piece is able to transition seamlessly from a day at the beach to an evening of cocktails and dancing.”
Nolan, who has been in the Australian fashion-design space for 10 years, has also worked alongside Ritorto and Forth as a designer at Acler – bringing her collaborative design process to the sister label.
“We begin every collection dreaming up amazing places our customer is travelling [to],” Nolan says. “We then begin to build the range with luxury fabrications, mood-inspired colour palettes and current trend research.”
American model and actress Lauren Hutton, who Nolan describes as the perfect embodiment of femininity, timelessness and relaxed elegance, inspires Significant Other’s first collection. The label’s first spring/summer collection focuses on classic, uncomplicated designs that are elevated with natural fibres and easy, flattering silhouettes.
High quality linens, textural cottons, embroidery and slinky satins are used to take you from beach to bar. The Alpha top has a deep V-neck and gentle billowing sleeves with meticulous draping in a soft nude polka dot fabric. And the Neptune dress features a gathered midi skirt, thin straps and cut-out details. It’s made from an embroidered daisy fabric. Prices range from $90 to $295.
Significant Other’s spring/summer collection is currently available online at David Jones and internationally at Moda Operandi, Intermix and Asos. A resort collection is due in November.
Stephanie Vigilante 
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