MY STORY
I discovered the magic of dress ups through my childhood play. Draped in white sheets I’d prance about our lounge room, my imagination transporting me to elegant worlds far from the foothills of the Adelaide suburbs I grew up in. My families’ antique heirlooms shipped from England with us when we moved to Australia in the early 70s provided additional inspiration for adventures. The pieces included watercolour paintings of elegant ladies in gowns dancing to a handsome dandy pianist. Then there was the decorative plaster patterned hand painted Chinoiserie furniture with detailed pictures of worlds hidden under the rich royal blue velvet pillows. I’d often daydream I was in those decadently patterned scenes of cherry blossom, bridges and elegant ladies.
For a while I wanted to be a ballerina but soon learnt it was the costume, look and grace of the dancers that possessed me and my hobby for sewing took precedent over the dance itself. I was always making things. With my first cheque I received from working I bought two books one on craft and the other on ballet.
A textiles and art nerd I’d frequent the art and sewing rooms at lunch. I would get scolded at school as my sewing productivity which was so immense my teachers didn’t believe I did it all myself! However my mother must take credit for her tireless encouragement and guidance being a keen sewer herself. Always reminding me to read the instructions carefully and being a spruiker for quality over quantity.
As a teen the love of dress ups evolved from play to ego, and I crafted clothing to try and fit in. Like all teens they were layers to hide my insecurities whilst I discovered who I really was. Much of this drive was a desire to be liked and appear as wealthy as some of the affluent girls I went to school with. My schoolmates would often copy what I wore which I found a little annoying then but in time realised this was a gift that people liked what I created or wore. At 14 I became a fabric sales assistant where I picked up some of my first paid dressmaking commissions, forming a solid foundation for my trade.
Decades later I still learn and continue to pursue mastering the crafting of clothing shedding the ego from the process, now seeing it as a gift I can share with others; That intoxicating feeling and escapism of adorning oneself in something beautiful and flattering and that truly reflects who you are.
After a successful beginning of my career working in an array of fashion businesses from high-end designer to corporate I had a distinct pull to focus on product that I felt was beautiful, timeless & ethical. Working for others I witnessed first hand how much volume of I’ll conceived product was being introduced into the environment and how disconnected many of the product developers & designers were to their customers. It didn’t “feel” right. So at 25 I chose to enrich my soul by making hand made timeless beautiful pieces in small quantity in Australia. I knew it would be a challenge and many told me not to do it but I had this natural skill as a pattern maker so I felt confident I could fall back on that if it all didn’t work out. For the first four or so years I sewed much of the collections myself whilst working other jobs.
What excites me most about crafting gowns for my clients is transferring the joy of that incredible feeling when one wears a beautiful unique creation. Particularly a piece that is made specifically to measure for you on such a momentous day in ones life. Whether that be a grand formal event, a notable birthday or a wedding. A bespoke piece is a rare experience that modern people only dabble in perhaps only ever once in their life for a wedding, when once upon a time it was the norm.
The longer I do this the more I have reflected and refined my purpose so my pursuit is fulfilling and not all consuming. Rather than being a prominent shopping strip I like to be hidden in the back streets of Fitzroy where I connect to the vibe and the customer I attract. I remain true to what I create and don’t make the stock uniform gowns that are a dime a dozen. Because I feel why would you want to wear a uniform at such a special moment in your life? Also I TRY to design as sustainably as possible some of our two-piece gowns can easily be reworn with a different coloured slip underneath for formal events.
I am so proud of my boutique I wanted it to feel like guests were visiting an elegant aunties house with a warm inviting vibe. Having the atelier upstairs means we can be 100% transparent you can meet the makers and see where your gown is crafted. I love the peace and calm of being off the main strip and I feel blessed that my creative space is more of a home than the grind of a loud, busy and bright corporate environment. Often clients express how calming and relaxing the experience & our space is. And acquiring a gown can be overwhelming so I always aim to create an experience that is not intimidating and encourage clients to do some preparation before they visit. Because I make in Australia my designs immediately must be luxury due to the high labour & overhead costs so that in itself can be intimidating but I am proud to keep my product local.
Basically I LOVE so much fashion and so many styles I meet girls who have never ever worn dresses to theatre performers who want to add more and more (If we meet you’ll see I still enjoy playing dress ups at work!) and I confess I found myself often in a pickle narrowing down my collections designing way more than I could afford to make! So I taught myself an intuitive approach to design, which is basically a technique to edit my ideas by tuning into the feeling that the piece resonates with me. Later in life I have realised it is a true connection to my higher self a creative part of me that I intend to explore more and more as I continue this creative journey. The enchantment, energy and positive vibrations and transformative power entwined in the wearing of beautiful clothing will always be something that drives me. I’d love to share the magical experience of what I do so feel free to send me a message.
Biography
Gwendolynne Burkin was born in Iserlohn, Germany in 1971. Her family moved to Australia from England in the early 1970s where she grew up in Adelaide before settling in Melbourne in 1989. Her affinity for fashion emerged at a tender age, when she fondly recalls crafting her first dress at the age of six. With the help of her Mum.
Gwendolynne's formal entry into the fashion industry occurred at the age of 14 when she became a fabric sales assistant. This experience propelled her towards diverse dressmaking endeavors, igniting her ambition to excel in the world of fashion. At 15, she was a fashion presenter on the children's television show, "C'mon Kids," aired on Adelaide's Channel 9, alongside her delightful and goofy puppet companion, Winky Dink.
As a budding entrepreneur, Gwendolynne began creating sumptuous fabric hats and successfully sold them to some of the hottest Melbourne boutiques of the time while simultaneously pursuing her fashion studies in the late 1980s. Her dedication to honing her craft led her to complete a BA in Fashion Design at the renowned Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology completing her study at the age of 19.
With close to a decade of professional fashion experience, Gwendolynne worked for prominent international and independent Australian businesses, as a pattern maker, designer, and machinist. In November 1997, she introduced her signature label, aptly named 'Gwendolynne,' and launched her inaugural collection at the esteemed Melbourne Fashion Festival New Generation Parade in 1998.
Gwendolynne's talents have garnered her an impressive and extensive list of achievements. Her designs have triumphed in prestigious events such as Fashions on the Field at the Dubai World Cup. They have also been showcased and remain in the collection of the esteemed Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, featured in prominent advertising campaigns for renowned brands like Mercedes, Nokia and Sony on an international scale, and commissioned for esteemed institutions like the Australian Ballet and International performances Eurovision. She has also done promotional collaborations with the likes of Bulgari, Saab, Autore and many more. A piece is also revered in the ongoing collection at The Salvador Dali exhibition in Milan. And, Gwendolynne had the honour of being the first designer chosen to create an exclusive range for Target Australia.
Through her remarkable journey, Gwendolynne Burkin serves as an inspiration to aspiring designers and creatives alike. Her unwavering passion, meticulous craftsmanship, determination throughout the changing landscape of the industry and unwavering commitment to unique bespoke herilooms continues in the fashion world that often favours the disposable. With each stitch and every creation, she redefines the boundaries of artistry, leaving an enduring legacy of timeless beauty to be treasured.
Design Style
Gwendolynne Burkin has established herself as one of Australia’s fashion purists; she works with intuition, avoids fashion trends, and remains true to her own sense of style and obsession with creating beautiful unique designs. Gwendolynne design approach explores tradition in a modern context, each collection evolving in a well-versed blend of historical references.
Combining delicate fabric with antique-style trimmings, Gwendolynne's pieces are ladylike without appearing over the top - the styling is elegant, sensual and romantic. Gwendolynne’s intuitive approach to her work has resulted in a unique signature look with details that include luxurious couture hand embellishment (some featuring fresh water pearls and Swarovski crystals) and exclusive fabrics (such as French, Swiss and Italian lace).
Gwendolynne’s relentless pursuit of timeless beauty appeals to clients seeking gowns for special events and contemporary brides who want to invest in designs that can be worn again.
“I love working with beautiful exclusive fabrics and designing my own embellishments. My design philosophy is to create timeless beauty; I choose to work in small quantities in order to maintain quality, exclusivity and longevity.”
Gwendolynne has also showcased collections in Beijing, London, New York and Singapore; her ready-to-wear line has been stocked in Australia and internationally. Gwendolynne Burkin has developed an enviable reputation as a Melbourne-based fashion design.
CAREER
Designer Gwendolynne Burkin is one of Australia’s most prominent Fashion Designer’s. She has been working professionally in the industry for over 35 years and her signature label Gwendolynne is now almost in its 26th year.
In 2004 Burkin re focused the "fashion" label to specialise in contemporary couture fashion and bridal. What's different about Gwendolynne is she approaches bridal from a fashion perspective thus having a strong individual aesthetic in her approach to design.
"Because my look has always been romantic it was a natural transition to move into bridal"
Her creations have an ethereal red carpet look in pale colours rather than the “uniform” white dress that is more common place. She nows her niche well and dives deep into offering something different as she believes women should be seen as themselves not the idea of a bride. Because of her solid industry background she is also often highly regarded as a key influencer and regularly contacted to make statements about fashion and the business of fashion, she regularly appear at exclusive events and she is well known for her own creative sense of Melbourne "Northside" style.
Over the years Burkin has become a well known Melbourne identity and has amassed an array of colourful press, editorial covers & stories . Here we showcase some of the highlights with the designer herself:
HISTORY
At fourteen she was a fashion presenter on a kid's television show for Channel 9 with a puppet called Winky Dink
At fourteen and a half she had her first job as a fabric sales assistant
At fifteen she went to the opening Parliament house in one of her own hand sewn creations as a guest of her stepdad Senator John Coulter
She was awarded Best Art Student at her school
First student from her Royal Melbourne Institute Technology BA Fashion course to be employed in her year
At 18 her first business was making fabric hats which she sold at boutiques and markets
A regular finalist in Emerging designer awards
Was selected to represent Australia as a prominent Australian Designer in showcases in New York, London & Singapore
Has appeared in countless fashion weeks in Sydney and Melbourne
A pattern cutter and designer for multiple brands in Melbourne & London
business achievements
A regular fixture a Summer & Winter Melbourne Fashion weeks since early1997
Who Weekly – Votes Gwendolynne Burkin as one of the 25 sexiest people of 2004
Gwendolynne Burkin has Appeared on the front cover of numerous print publications such as: Fashion Week Supplement Herald Sun, Melbourne Times,
Participated in Collection Showcases held in Beijing, Singapore, New York & London to promote Australian Fashion weeks internationally
Was the first Australian Designer to create a capsule collection for Target Australia
Gwendolynne designs have appeared on countless celebrities at red carpet events
Gwendolynne appeared in the Sony Cybershot TV ad campaign (Asia)
Participated in many Boutique Expos & Trade Fairs such as One Fine Day & Bride & Mercedes Australian Fashion Week & Coiterie (New York)
Contributed to Salvador Dali Design created for the exhibition which is now part of on going collection in Milan
Presented a TUTU at The Sydney Opera House aligned with the Australian Ballet
Contributed to Powerhouse Museum exhibition "Sourcing the Muse”
Nokia international advertising campaign (40 countries design and making of costumes)
Jewellery designed by Gwendolynne in collaboration with Autore South Sea Pearls
Won several positions at Fashions on the fields at Flemington
Outfits have racecourse & Dubai World Cup
Painted for the Archibald Prize by artist Brian Reberger
Regular guest lecturer& speaker at major institutions & events
Mercedes Australian Fashion Week 2001 campaign.
Ambassador of Fashion in The City of Yarra
Cycling Ambassador for Melbourne
Has been a judge several times for Myer Melbourne Fashions on the field
Special guest designer at Perth fashion festival
Official member of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Advisory Board
Finalist for 5 years consistently in the New Designer Award
Guinevere costumes for musical Camelot
COVERS & PRESs
Gwendolynne has had countless articles and cover stories in magazines & newspaper including: Vogue, Marie Claire, Sportswear, Wallpaper WGSN, Cosmopolitan . She has sat on the Board for Melbourne Spring Fashion Weeks, was elected one of Who Weekly's most sexiest people of 2004 and was also given the title as a Cycling Ambassador of Melbourne.
PRESS STORIES
Some of our favourite press stories:
THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET - BALLETONET
https://australianballet.com.au/behind-ballet/bodytorque-by-design-gwendolynne
MY SPACE
http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/trends/how-working-longer-will-affect-women-20090804-e82n.html
WEEKLY COVER STORY
red Carpet & EVENTS
Often a VIP guest at prominent events and openings. Here are some appearances on the red carpet many with her collaborator friend, Milliner Richard Nylon.
DESIGNER PORTRAITS
Here the designer appears in front of the camera