Owner and designer at fashion label The Weft.
Owner and designer at fashion label The Weft.
She’s the local lass about to take the fashion world by storm and we are pretty thrilled about it.
We sat down for a chat with Caitlin Verrall about her label The Weft and the release of her stunning second collection, Outliers.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
It would be close to 12 years now. I moved to the Gold Coast to study design in my early 20s and now it’s home. I worked in London for a couple of years in between but you can’t beat our lifestyle.
What do you love most about living here?
I love the laid-back and friendly nature of Gold Coasters, and the enterprising nature behind many of us who choose to live here for the lifestyle balance. I also love the access we have to endless beaches and camping spots as you head south, and that Brisbane is only up the road.
Tell us about your fashion label The Weft?
The Weft was born out of a need for beautiful, unassuming clothing. I love subtle, enduring and well-crafted pieces, so everything is designed with this in mind. I work mainly with a monotone palette and use all natural fabrics. The designs are clean and minimal, so pieces can be worn on their own or as a compliment. We just released our second collection, Outliers, which offers everything from the classic Smith ‘90s Dress to the statement Ithica Wrap Dress. It’s a beautiful range of timeless, laid-back silhouettes, with matching separates emerging for the first time.
How did it come about?
I spent more than 10 years working for global brands which produced large ranges of clothing several times throughout the year. While it was great exposure, my heart was in creating pieces that transcend seasonal cycles and become personal favourites.
I had designs bouncing around in my head and sketchpad and was excited (and also a little nervous) to finally release my first range, Essential Eccentric. A small collection of carefully curated designs, it really set the tone for The Weft with a great response from across Australia and even some orders from overseas.
What does the brand name mean?
In weaving, the weft is passed over and under the warp to turn thread or yarn into woven fabric. I once heard San Francisco described as a place with an ‘eccentric weft’ – a destination for dreamers and misfits and for those who like to sit at the edge of the continent and look even further west. This phrasing really resonated with me with something special woven into each piece from The Weft.
From where do you draw inspiration?
All around me. It changes daily. I’m a visual person – beautiful photographs inspire me. Ceramics are really inspiring me at the moment (and you can probably tell if you follow The Weft on Instagram). Generally, people doing something unique or new is always inspiring. It pushes you to do the same, to do better.
What’s your favourite piece in the current collection?
The Smith Cigarette Pant would have to be my favourite from Outliers. I’m very much a comfort dresser, so these pants are perfect. They’re tailored and cut from a soft, fluid linen blend. They can be worn with some slides and a tank and also dressed up with a pair of heels. Versatility in a garment is key for me. The Smith Pant and Shirt have been popular in this collection.
Any advice for someone wanting to start their own fashion label?
It feels strange offering advice, but I can say the market is busy and you have to establish trust. I think it is important to have authenticity and a clear purpose. And quality pieces that are thoughtfully designed.
What’s in the works for 2020 for you?
Outliers is our focus at the moment, but we are also planning a new collection for release later this year.
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Cafe for breakfast: Paddock Bakery is still my favourite breakfast jaunt.
Coffee spot: BSKT is within walking distance from home, but I’ll happily grab a coffee from anywhere – especially if I tag along for a morning surf check with my partner.
Restaurant for dinner: I love restaurants with share plates or tapas – Light Years is a new favourite.
How does your weekend usually look? It’s a little different these days with a 5-month-old. We’re up early to make a coffee and head over the road for an ocean swim and some sun. We often drive south to Kingscliff for lunch or a picnic at Talle Creek with friends. We love a weekend away too – we just got back from camping near Brooms Head.
The Gold Coast’s newest label The Undercurrent is a brand with a mission, a Gold Coast one. Created to showcase our amazing city through art on something accessible to everyone, t-shirts.
The brand’s name is both a nod to the Coast’s thriving surf culture and the side of the city locals keep hidden.
Through her extensive travels proud Gold Coaster and brand creator, Carly Snodgrass, often came across t-shirts locally designed and capturing the essence of each particular city.
She quickly realised that although the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, drawing visitors from across the world due to its beautiful golden beaches, thriving nightlife and of course, abundant theme parks, it is also a culturally diverse city with a whole lot more to offer.
And this is the side that should be shown to the world.
Enter the artists. Carly commissioned five local artists – Claudio Kirac, Kiel Tillman, Sarah Beetson, Eric Koo and Byron Coathup – to illustrate their interpretation of the Gold Coast suburb in which they live.
Currumbin, Burleigh Heads, Coolangatta, Surfers Paradise and Mermaid Beach are the suburbs currently represented with more to be added at a later date.
The Undercurrent’s purpose is to work with those who share their passion for the city’s unique culture and offer them the opportunity to create projects on their home turf.
$2 from every purchase will be donated to Surf Lifesaving Queensland who were specifically chosen by The Undercurrent due to the huge part they play in both assisting tourists and the vital role in shaping our city’s culture.
Since 1930 Surf Life Saving Queensland’s mission has been to protect the lives of the millions of people visiting our beaches every year and The Undercurrent wishes to support them in continuing their fantastic work.
The Undercurrent will officially launch online April 1st and you can catch them at The Village Markets this Sunday the 2nd of April from 8.30am to 1pm.
Words by Kirra Smith.
A new week means a new excuse to treat yo’self and there’s no better way to do that than with some sweet local brands. From threads to swimwear and accessories, we’ve rounded up a collection of Gold Coast goodies that we know will knock your socks off.
Happy shopping.
Olas Supply Co.
Established in 2016, Olas Supply Co is the product of two people with a shared loved for travel and adventure, wanted to branch away from their regular Monday to Friday jobs and try something different. Inspired by the founders adventures and grown from the soul of traditional villages along the coast of Central and South America, Olas Supply Co. offer a unique style Gold Coasters love.
Violet Gray
Violet Gray is the love child of Australian Designer, Alexandra Olsen. Her pieces are simple, delicate and created from high grade metals (soon to be 100% recycled and fair trade) and genuine gemstones. The concept for each piece is deeply rooted in spirituality, connection, romanticism and symbolism, making them sacred and powerful to wear. Alex and Violet Gray started their journey at The Village Markets five years ago and since then has grown to be loved worldwide.
Lokoa
What started as a daydream in 2009 quickly turned into an independent Australian lifestyle brand that has since been featured in the pages of Instyle and OK! Magazines. The Gold Coast based bohemian fashion label specialises in exotic handmade leather bags, wallets and clothing inspired by local designer Brie Shinn’s love of travel and exploration. The colourful and unique pieces resemble every creative women’s wanderlust, bringing a sense of mystery and adventure into the lives of wearers.
Shuturp
Created by Ellie Hopley, Shuturp is a quirky fashion label that has quickly become much-loved the world over. With hand drawn art adorning t-shirts, caps and clothes for the kiddies, the brand is easily recognised and very colourful. Many of the pieces also have uplifting slash hilarious slogans on them too. Everything is part of a limited drop so get in quick.
The Lobster Shanty
Now something for the fashion-savvy men amongst us, introducing The Lobster Shanty. Jarro Dartnell is the brains behind the Australian beach-oriented fashion label and clothing store. Inspired by his Granddad Jims’ love of the sea, Jarro created his own boutique range of signature tee shirts and snapbacks while the store offers a wide array of seasonal essentials for the like-minded adventurers with brands such as Brixton, Obey and Santa Cruz.
Grace Loves Lace
For women of style, substance and originality, Grace Loves Lace specialise in unique, free-spirited and timelessly sophisticated luxe wedding dresses handmade from only the finest French and European lace and silks. When it’s time to slide on that ring and pop the champagne, you can’t be in any ordinary dress, you NEED Grace Loves Lace! Only the best on your big day, Sweetheart!
The Undercurrent
Tourism on the Gold Coast has reached a whole new level with the recent launch of The Undercurrent, a fashion label dedicated to showcasing the city through the eyes of locals. The brand made its debut with a collection representing five suburbs (Burleigh, Mermaid, Surfers, Currumbin and Coolangatta), each of which is printed with a local artists’ work depicting iconic landmarks and incorporating the things they love about their area.
Myra Swim
The Gold Coast is known as the bikini capital of Australia and for good reason with labels like Myra Swim producing the goods. Bianca Elouise launched Myra Swim in 2014 and since then she hasn’t looked back. Inspired by the sun, surf and the sea, Bianca wanted to create a swimwear line for curvier women and as such, has developed an international following including the likes of the one and only Kim Kardashian.
The Weft
The Weft is a recent addition to the Gold Coast design scene and it’s a goodie. Created by Caitlin Verall, The Weft is all about subtle, beautifully crafted pieces that transcend the seasons in natural colour palettes and fabrics. The latest range Outliers offers everything from the classic Smith ‘90s Dress to the statement Ithica Wrap Dress. It’s a beautiful range of timeless, laid-back silhouettes, with matching separates emerging for the first time.
peony swimwear
Born out of a life long love affair with the ocean, boutique Australian swimwear label peony fuses bohemian nostalgia with refined femininity to create swimwear made for chasing the sun. First making an appearance at The Village Markets and now an internationally-renowned brand, peony epitomises summer’s simple joys – diving into the ocean, the smell of coconut oil, the feeling of sand under bare feet and the first bloom of peony flowers, which signal the beginning of summer.
Get shopping.
Words by Louisa Ingelheim
