the nature of our attention affects the nature of our experience.
Womenswear by Kalaurie Karl-Crooks. Ethically & sustainably handcrafted to order in Melbourne, Australia.
Kalaurie's Story
Kalaurie makes clothing sewn to last, creating modern heirlooms crafted to be treasured for a lifetime.
Drawing inspiration from storytelling for her designs, Kalaurie releases annual, limited edition capsule collections.
Kalaurie’s approach nurtures quality, timelessness, craftsmanship, and environmental consciousness in equal measure, in honour of the individual spirit and the world we share together.
Her clothing has been featured in leading Australian publications Vogue and Marie Claire, and worn by artists and sustainability advocates around the globe.
Kalaurie's Philosophy
Kalaurie strives for a new way forward in the fashion industry, choosing to not work in step with standardised retail or wholesaling models. Consciously distanced from the rapid pace of mass production, her atelier’s heart thus beats in rhythm with the wearer.
Following a made-to-order methodology, Kalaurie has freed herself from the commerical fashion calendar. This empowers her to make clothes for you without the need to apply excessive mark-ups.
At Kalaurie, you don’t just shop the seasons, you experience the wonder of transeasonal capsule collections. We invite you to say to trends and yes to true quality, opening yourself up to a more conscious style of consumption.
Made in Melbourne
All garments are mindfully made-to-order in our Melbourne atelier. Here, Kalaurie crafts each piece by hand, a process that includes cutting, pattern making, and grading.
Working within a made-to-order manufacturing model, Kalaurie remains in contact with garments throughout the entire creative process. That means that once your order is placed, it’s consciously cut, assembled, and packaged just for you.
WHY MADE-TO-ORDER?
Made-to-order describes a manufacturing process designed specifically to fulfil a particular set of requirements for one garment at a time. It’s a model that moves in response to individual needs, not in reaction to market trends.
By investing in made-to-order clothing, you’re supporting a very responsible method of manufacturing. This is because only what is ordered and required is produced, reducing garment waste.
Working in this way also supports a more resourceful approach to the use and repurposing of materials, as every fabric chosen is a fabric that must be used.
Commitment to Craftsmanship
Kalaurie believes your clothing should last a lifetime. Every garment made is thus designed to traverse the seasons, so that you can create long-term love affairs with every one of your Kalaurie pieces.
From the moment your garment is cut, to finessing the garment’s finishings, quality and permanence are kept at the forefront of Kalaurie’s mind. This conscious approach ensures clothing heirlooms you can hang not only in your seasonal wardrobe but also keep as part of your lifelong collection.
To help you care for your clothes, Kalaurie offers mending and alterations. To learn more about this service, read more about repairs.
Book an appointment with Kalaurie
You can meet the designer at Kalaurie Womenswear Atelier by appointment only.
Your appointment will include:
- One-on-one consultation with Kalaurie
- Viewings of collection samples
- Browsing fabrics from Kalaurie’s archive.
To schedule your appointment, contact Kalaurie online. You may also send an email to contact@kalaurie.com.au
Atelier location
1/114 Bent Street Northcote, Victoria 3070, Australia.
How long will my garment take?
Your order may take between 4 to 6 weeks. Timeframes depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the design complexity and the current production calendar.
CAN I TRACK MY ORDER?
Yes, you can discuss your order with Kalaurie at any time. To do so, please email contact@kalaurie.com.au
We work with humans at the atelier, not artificial intelligence. So we thank you for your patience as you correspond with Kalaurie.
Sustainability
Kalaurie designs every garment through a lens of sustainability. Every collection is made from predominantly premium deadstock and surplus fabrics, including trims wherever possible.
Sustainable fabrics
There are two core kinds of fabrics used in the fashion industry—synthetic and natural. Synthetic fabrics are made from fibers that are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Whereas natural fabrics come from renewable resources and are biodegradable.
Kalaurie focuses on sourcing fabrics from the latter category, working with natural materials such as wool, cotton, linen, and silk. Cellulose fibres such as viscose, rayon, cupro, and tencel are also featured in some designs.
Deadstock fabrics
Kalaurie creates more consciously by working with deadstock fabrics, often defined as the “leftovers” of the industry at large. Sometimes considered undesirable to other brands who follow fashion trends, these materials include:
- fabrics that have been overstocked
- fabrics no longer considered “in-season”
- fabrics in unwanted colours
- fabrics no longer needed by the original intended client.
Despite the ominous nature of their name, deadstock fabrics are often of supreme quality. By choosing to work with these fabrics, we save them from being meaninglessly destroyed or ending up in landfill.
Currently, Kalaurie shirting is made from 100% deadstock fabrications, including buttons and interfusings.
Haberdashery
Kalaurie’s preference is to work with deadstock buttons and interfusings to save these materials ending up in landfill. Deadstock hooks and eyes, snaps, and zippers are also used whenever possible.
When deadstock buttons are not available, Kalaurie works with corozo nut or shell buttons.
Corozo is a species of tropical palm found in northwest South America, and corozo seeds can be collected only after they naturally fall from the palm. Buttons made from this material are thus highly environmentally friendly.
Shell buttons are a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional buttons made from materials such as plastic and metal. This is because shells can be collected from nature in a way that does not harm the environment. Due to their durability and corrosion resistance, they also last a lot longer than many other kinds of man-made fastenings.
Wrapping with Recycled Packaging
Kalaurie’s sustainable practices extend to your garment’s delivery. When it’s ready to leave the atelier, your order is wrapped in recycled tissue and tied with deadstock ribbon. It’s then placed in a recycled cardboard box accompanied by a postcard made from post-consumer recycled paper.
Reducing Waste in The Atelier
Reducing waste is a core value at Kalaurie. That’s why we’re passionate about repurposing materials considered by others to be undesirable. In our atelier, we stand for giving new meaning to fabrics that have fallen victim to the industry’s disinterest, proving that there is beauty to be found, and resources to be recycled, in even the most unusual places.
Supporting Australian Business
To support fellow Australian business owners, all labels, boxes, and promotional materials are manufactured within Australia. Kalaurie also liaises with local merchants and businesses to source fabrics and trims.
In addition, the designer has developed a relationship with a local Gerber pattern-maker, who helps draft a portion of styles for every collection.