Jewellery brand Polli has added shirts and scarves to its product portfolio to provide retailers with something new and different but still within the brand’s unique aesthetic and made in Australia.
“After researching new product avenues we decided that original, easy fit, quality clothing was a new line that many of these stores would consider carrying,” says Tess Lloyd, Polli designer.
Launched at Life Instyle Melbourne, the pieces come in two designs. One features images from a colour bomb photo shoot inspired by the Indian festival Holi and is made with 100 per cent silk while the other is a concertina design in gelato and ocean colourways made from silk and cotton voile. Shirts are Euro tee and tank style.
“After working in jewellery for 10 years it has been a really steep learning curve entering into the textile industry. We’ve done a lot of research and have had to forge relationships with new suppliers. It has been great finding so many suppliers locally in Sydney’s inner west and being able to visit them personally has made the production much more accessible for us.
“It has been great to learn about different materials, how silk is made, the intricacies of printing and watch our own garments being sewn. We’ve kept this first run to very limited production and are looking forward to more feedback from our customers.”
Lloyd tips scarves to be the best-sellers of the range because so many of Polli’s retailers stock that product category. Pre-show orders were also strong.
Polli exhibited at Life Instyle with a new stand inspired by retail spaces seen in the US. Timber European wine boxes were used to create Tetris style shelving. The stand had a natural feel, with pops of colour, vintage props and paintings to tell a different story inside each box. Staff wore the clothing which was also featured on a mannequin borrowed from retail store and Polli stockist High Tea with Mrs Woo.
Lloyd adds the buying trend is slowly moving away from ordering at the trade fair with retailers either not travelling to the show or going for a shorter time. She also noticed more pre-show ordering.
