Since I was a little girl, beautiful things have always been the apple of my eye—flowers, baked goods with pretty toppings, and clothes. But not just clothes; clothes that felt special… clothes that made me feel like I’d found treasure. Not high-end labels, but items that had been made with thought and attention.

My mother used to take me to young designer markets on the East Coast; this is when we found priceless treasures. Dresses that had been made by budding designers, fashion students selling one-off creations, cushions made from embroidered tablecloths, and quality fabrics that felt like warm hugs. When I was about 16, I purchased a handmade design from a young Brisbane designer. She had a market stall full of one-off designs; the fabric was like none I’d seen before—the softest pink rose print—almost vintage-like. It had one sleeve and felt so feminine. I wore that dress to death. I felt so pretty in that dress. And how good it felt to buy it from her, a young twenty-something creative, putting her art out for the world, hoping we’d love it... I like to think she went off and became a huge success. This was one purchase of many in my wardrobe of treasures.

I’ve never felt impressed much by labels pumping out huge quantities of the same designs—cardboard copies for thousands of people to look the same way. Their business may thrive; celebrities and influencers may endorse their products, but in the wise words of Shania Twain, that don’t impress me much. Why would I love something that’s been rushed through a huge factory? All those years ago, that young Brisbane designer sold me something she loved; she had sat down at a sewing machine and sewn that dress for hours. She had poured so much of herself into that dress—her time, her craftsmanship, her love—so every time I wore it, I felt every bit of that.

I’ve worked in clothing factories, and now I work in my pretty little sewing room, which has a brick fireplace, a vase always filled with fresh flowers, and a cup of tea placed next to my sewing machine. I take time and care with every single one of these clothes. They are my designs, my patterns, my sewing. I sit at my machine and I think of the girl who will wear that item and where she will take it—to a wine bar, out on a picnic, to stroll down to her local farmers' market, to meet the love of her life. When a girl feels pretty, there isn’t much that isn’t possible.

This is slow fashion; this is time, love, care, and thought. This is to be treasured; this is to be worn to death. This is to make you feel pretty. This is Victoria Alexion.

Yours Truly,

Victoria xx