There’s something incredibly exciting about the beginning of a new collection. The sketchbook is empty, the studio table is covered in fabric, and every little offcut and roll holds the possibility of becoming something new.
I’m currently in the very early stages of designing the next Second Life collection for Wolf & Mishka, and I’m so excited to finally share the process with you.
This will be the third Second Life collection I’ve created, and it’s one of the projects I’m most passionate about.
What is the Second Life Collection?
Second Life began as a way to rethink how I design clothing.
Instead of sourcing brand new fabrics, every piece in the collection is created using deadstock fabrics or leftover textiles already sitting in my Melbourne studio. Deadstock fabric refers to the ends of fabric rolls or unused textiles that might otherwise never be used. By designing with these existing materials, I’m able to create beautiful, limited edition garments while helping to reduce unnecessary textile waste.
It’s a slower, more thoughtful approach to fashion, and one that sits at the heart of everything I do at Wolf & Mishka.
As an independent Melbourne fashion label, I’ve always believed that sustainability isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making considered choices wherever possible and creating clothing that is made to last.
Giving Existing Fabrics a New Story
One of my favourite parts of creating a Second Life collection is the creative challenge.
Rather than beginning with a mood board full of new fabrics, I begin by exploring what I already have. That means opening boxes that haven’t been touched for years, rediscovering special prints from past collections, finding beautiful remnants tucked away on shelves and imagining entirely new garments from materials that already exist.
Some of the fabrics may even be familiar if you’ve followed Wolf & Mishka for a while. Seeing an old favourite transformed into a completely different silhouette is one of the most rewarding parts of the design process.
Each garment becomes a celebration of resourcefulness, creativity and thoughtful design.
Designed and Made in Melbourne
Every Wolf & Mishka collection is designed in my Melbourne studio and produced locally in small quantities.
Creating garments in small batches allows me to stay closely involved in every stage of production, from sketching and sampling through to fabric selection, fittings and final details. It also means I can produce limited edition pieces without overproducing stock.
Supporting local manufacturing has always been an important part of Wolf & Mishka. Knowing who makes each garment and keeping production close to home is something I value deeply.
Following the Design Process
One of the things I hear most often is that people love seeing what happens behind the scenes.
So this time, I thought I’d bring you along.
Over the coming weeks I’ll be sharing the design journey as it unfolds—from the first sketches and fabric selection through to sampling, fittings and the finished collection. You’ll get a glimpse into what it’s really like to build a slow fashion collection from the ground up, using existing materials and giving them a brand new purpose.
I hope it offers a little insight into my creative process and the thinking behind each piece.
Thank you for being here and for supporting a small Australian fashion brand that believes in making clothing thoughtfully, locally and with longevity in mind.
I can’t wait to show you what’s taking shape.