Style Story: Mela Purdie's Cool Classics

Designer Mela Purdie founded her eponymous label in 2001 with the goal of redefining the way contemporary women build their wardrobes.

The Australian owned, designed, and made label seeks to challenge the longstanding cyclical nature of consumption and production in the fashion industry–an important, necessary mission that can be expressly seen through fabric choices each collection.

High quality innovative materials, oftentimes exclusive to the brand, lend Mela’s seasonal collections a uniquely identifiable edge that’s led to the brand’s success.

Below, we discuss the key fabrics from Mela Purdie’s most recent collections and how the label continues to blend high-octane compositions with cool, classic designs.

MICROPRENE

TExclusive to Mela Purdie, Microprene Cotton is made in France from a fine weight 61% Cotton 35% Poly. 4% Elastane.

It’s soft against the skin but maintains a loose structure allowing for sculptural silhouettes to be imagined–a defining feature that can be seen through the statement sleeves of the new season Shore Shirt.

A high stretch component is intentionally included to increase the durability of the fabric–ensuring your Mela investment pieces stand the test of time.

Lightweight and ultra-comfortable, it’s a fabric that’s been developed by Mela to become a stalwart wardrobe staple that’s perfectly suited to all seasons.

MATTE JERSEY

Mela Purdie’s stretch Matte Jersey fabric is made exclusively in Australia for the label.

It’s knitted from 92% Matte Jersey Viscose that is supplemented by 8% Spandex–an intentional addition that provides a comfortable high stretch and organic durability.

It’s super soft against the skin and falls across the frame with a satisfyingly fluid drape, making it an ideal option for dress and blouse silhouettes.

Mela’s Matte Jersey is machine washable, long-lasting and pill-resistant making it the perfect solution to a no-fuss capsule wardrobe.

BASE KNIT

Made in Italy, Mela Purdie’s Base Knit fabrication was developed to fulfil a need for carefree luxury styling. Heralding a new era of technical fabrications, it’s a testament to the Sydney-based label’s dynamic view of the fashion industry.

It’s made from a lightweight extra-fine knit technical jersey that is polished to a smooth and silky touch to the skin. It’s super stretchy with a flattering drape and has a tactile effect that can be likened to that of swimsuit material.

It’s quick drying, wrinkle and pill-resistant, and contains built in UV protection, allowing you to pack-and-travel with ease.

MACHÉ

A testament to the relaxed tone of Mela Purdie’s designs, the Maché fabrication is an imported Japanese technical polyester with a luxuriously soft, malleable handle.

A double Micron yarn creates a soft structure with an amplified weave lending a tactile textural appeal. Often used to craft dresses with flattering liquid drape, Maché has become a cult favourite fabric amongst Mela’s loyal following of customers.

Maché is hand washable and dries quickly overnight with no ironing or extra fuss required making it the embodiment of the label’s slogan: ‘Clothes That Travel With You’.