In the third instalment of our special Melbourne Fashion Festival series, Arnsdorf founder and designer Jade Sarita Arnott reveals how the brand is progressing in 2021.
What does it mean for you to be involved in this year’s Melbourne Fashion Festival (MFF)?
Last year's MFF really marked the beginning of the impact of COVID, with lockdowns and cancelling of events during the last days of the festival.
It feels incredibly special to be involved in MFF after the year the world has lived through.
It feels like there is new life and energy and it's been wonderful to see the Festival transition to its next phase.
I'm particularly excited about MFF using some really beautiful landmark locations for the shows this year, like the NGV and the newly refurbished State Library.
Arnsdorf at Melbourne Fashion Festival - Photo by: Lucas Dawson
How did last year’s lack of events impact your business?
We were fortunate to still have a strong online presence with our community, but the lack of real life events was missed.
MFF adapted with digital shows, so the situation also brought new opportunities to find new ways to connect and do things.
How have you adapted this year?
We have taken our focus back to the most important aspects of the brand and business, finding more efficient and streamlined ways to do things.
Our store has reopened and is trading well.
We are back in our Atelier in Collingwood where we manufacture our garments in-house and it's nice to currently be working without masks again.
We are very fortunate here in Australia.
What are you looking forward to most at this year’s MFF?
I was really looking forward to the show we were involved in yesterday at the State Library of Victoria.
It is such a beautiful space and the perfect backdrop for a runway.
Arnsdorf at Melbourne Fashion Festival - Photo by: Lucas Dawson