Melbourne based designer Kristy Barber has a fabulous eye for detail
and arrangement – lofty ideals and strong aesthetics combined with an
intense commitment to wearability, quality and longevity mean that
Kuwaii pieces are made for the now as well as the forever. Kristy’s
Kuwaii lady is playfully luxurious, serious and irreverent. She is
funny, smart and hangs with a particular kind of gent. Her tastes
transcend the immediate and strive for the future. In short she is just
one cool girl! In real time, Kuwaii is definitely one to watch on the
fashion scene – a regular in LMFF Independent shows and collaborations
with music greats Architecture in Helsinki (check out That Beep! for
Kuwaii’s fab costume design) and a recent jaunt to New York to intern
with one amazing red carpet designer…yes, Kuwaii has its heart on the
street and its head on the magic.
How long have you been working on Kuwaii?
2.5 years. Although I definitely had the concept brewing for a few years
prior; a label with a focus on beautiful fabrics, high quality local
manufacture, a real focus on great fits and interesting shapes.
Was there a particular moment you can re-call that was your
‘calling’ to work in the industry?
Kuwaii has always seemed like a natural progression for me! It started
with a love for craft and creating things, which has been with me from
daydot, then deciding that Kuwaii was something I could really throw
myselfinto it in an ongoing manner.
Who is your favourite designer? ohhh hard question! I
really admire Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi of London’s Preen – they
are so amazing and inspirational!
If you could have one person wear your label who would it be?
Maggie Gyllenhaal! I saw her recently when I was in New York and she
is very amazing, unique and beautiful. And oh-so-stylish!
Where do you find inspiration?
I try to draw inspiration from film, a moment in history or a book, I
try to have a narrative to each collection to make them work as a whole.
What is your favourite piece from the summer collection &
why? The “unseen dress” – it’s an amazing versatile piece, such
a great fit and easy to wear, I’ve already been wearing my chalk one
constantly!
What has been your scariest fashion moment?
There’s a very funny photo of me at about age 9, wearing very tight
acidwash jeans hugging my palomino pony…
Favourite outfit for summer (no holds!)…
A vintage jumpsuit! Any one, I’m totally jumpsuit mad! I just bought a
navy vintage “sailor” style one from a flea market in San Fransisco to
add to my collection – they are so fun and totally perfect for Summer in
Melbourne.
Fav Summer tunes…
Yellow Fever, a band I’ve come into touch with in New York – they are
AMAZING!
Favourite drink…
Margarita of any variety! Iced, frozen, lime, strawberry, jalapeno….you
name it! So good for whiling away summer afternoons/evenings.
What will you be doing for Christmas Day?
I’ll be in New York! For tonnes of Christmas parties and hopefully a
white Christmas! It will also be my first Christmas with my jet-setting
boyfriend, so I’m a little excited.
KUWAII… in store at Chasing Bow xxx