A new fashion collective has opened in Kingston adding a bit of flair to Green Square.
CARDIF has transformed an unused, tired and lonely space into a collaborative creative space featuring 12 fashion designer studios and a central retail area, formally called CARDIF Collective.
CARDIF stands for Canberra and Region Designers in Fashion. The space is massive—685m² space to be exact— with the retail side of the operation set up in the centre. Designer studios run alongside the exterior walls and overlook Green Square. Large windows ensure the space is flooded with natural light.
It’s a not-for-profit that will become a centre of excellence and support local fashion designers to grow and develop. ‘The idea is to provide affordable, long-term creative and retail space for designers, both established and emerging, who want to connect direct with customers and work on making their brand commercially accessible,’ says Chris.
Although CARDIF will officially open in early 2016, CARDIF Collective, to celebrate the Christmas season, is hosting its first pop-up. More than 30 designers are exhibiting fashion (men’s, women’s and children’s), jewellery, home accessories and more. The pop-up is on now and open every day until 22 December. This Wednesday night, 16 December, is late night shopping and a chance to meet the designers.
CARDIF started when Chris Lloyd decided to pursue her life-long dream of being a designer. She is just emerging into the world of fashion with her label ‘Minimum’.
When searching for centrally located space, Chris discovered it was going to cost a motza. More than that, she got to thinking about how isolated she would feel setting up on her lonesome. She met other designers who felt the same. ‘Creatives need to be inspired. They benefit from sharing, learning and connecting,’ says Chris.
Chris opened CARDIF with her husband David Traylen. It’s taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to transform the space on Level 1, Cusack Centre, with carpets torn up, walls painted, floors redone, shelves installed and more.
Two milliners have already been accepted for design studios—Edwina Woods and Cynthia Jones-Bryson, who has just won the Crown Oakes Day Invitation Only Myer Millinery Award for her headpiece inspired by fireworks. Both Edwina and Cynthia were inspired by the facilities CARDIF offers, including a common area for designers with two large cutting tables, storage, racking, a lounge and kitchen facilities. A pattern maker and machinist will be on site and available to designers on a fee-for-service basis.
Workspaces range in size from approximately 10 m2 up to 28 m2. Design studios can be rented by one designer or shared. A second call for applications will take place early in 2016 (designers can express interest at any time by email). In the meantime, it’s ‘shop till you drop’ for Christmas at CARDIF Collective.
For more information on the Christmas pop-up—times and a list of designers—head to www.cardifcollective.com.au
For more information on CARDIF, visit www.cardifact.com.au
