Mother Melbourne taught me when I was little, that if your extremities are warm, the rest of you will be. So with that in mind, I was always sent outdoors in winter wearing a hat and gloves.
These days, I like to wear both in winter but mainly because I just like the excuse to accessorise. I love winter because you can wear more clothes- scarves, gloves, hats, coats, boots and vests as opposed to say, a maxi dress and sandals in summer.
Ace of Something are an Australia label that make one thing only: felt fedora hats. This is one of theirs in a fawn colour, but there are so many to choose from you’ll be there for hours. The hats are 100% felt wool, made in Australia(love that!) and the only thing I would mention as a detraction is that they are one size fits all. It’s a little bit big for me, but I also have a small head so I would say it’s actually an average size that would fit most people. I’m going to get a bit of felt and run in around the inside of the hat to make it fit perfectly.
From made in Australia to handmade in Bali, my very special necklace in these photos is from Ananda Soul Creations.
The Joy of Life malas are made by mothers in their Senang workshop. This workshop is part of the Safe Childhoods prevention program against child trafficking. The workshop is attached to the Slum school, a school for Balinese street kids. While the kids attend school, their mothers work in the Senang (means happy) workshop to support themselves.
The gemstones in this mala have been blessed in a special Balinese prayer ceremony to bring you love, peace and abundance, and by buying Ananda Soul jewellery you support a street child in Bali go to school and help prevent child trafficking in Indonesia.
After ordering this necklace it took about three weeks to arrive, because your order is sent to the workshop and then hand made by one of the women mentioned above. Slow fashion at its best, I really love the entire concept behind this label.
So there you go, one Australian label that’s managing to manufacture here, and one in Bali supporting the local economy and in particular empowering women through work. Fashion made with love.
What I’m wearing:
Hat: Ace of Something
Blouse: ASOS
Mala necklace: ‘Joy of Life’ necklace from Ananda Soul Creations
