Sydney designer Jillian Boustred is closing in on a decade in business. Her eponymous label has become a go-to for what she calls “elevated wardrobe staples” — pieces that stand the test of time without missing a beat of personality.
Slinky knitted dresses and structured cotton shirts with big collars and nipped waists have become signatures that repeatedly sell out. “I always want my outfits to be flattering and comfortable and not overly feminine,” Boustred tells Broadsheet. “But still, you know, a nod to womanhood.”
With a focus on ethical business operations, Boustred engages Australian manufacturers where possible, provides repair services to ensure clothing longevity, and encourages the resale of pre-loved garments once customers are ready to pass them on.
This season, she introduces long-wearing denim to the range, partnering with a washer and maker in Sydney to deliver perfectly lived-in pieces in chocolate brown and vintage blue. Tailoring is another natural addition, and Boustred applies an artful command of form to create structured silhouettes that take the wearer’s body and needs into consideration.
Here she talks us through her new collection, speaking to the joy of mixing denim with tailored suiting and the art of effortlessness.
What can we expect from Jillian Boustred this season?
A really considered colour palette with pieces that are elevated wardrobe staples, made locally. We’ve delved into new products like denim and suiting, so there’s a little bit more variation in terms of the offering.
What were your main sources of inspiration for this collection?
I’m always inspired by organic shapes and the female form. This collection is no different in that regard. There’s lots of strong shapes but with a feminine side to them – pieces with a cinched waist and a flattering neckline, but still quite tailored and structured.
Who are you designing for?
People who want to look put together but with a fairly minimal amount of effort. I’m usually designing for curves and always have effortlessness in mind. I love designing outfits that are really flattering and comfortable but still look elevated.
What colours are coming into the mix?
I always tend to go with colours that are quite natural and would be found within the natural world even when they’re a little more poppy. I love designing with colour, but I’m always conscious of what people like to wear and know colour can sometimes be limiting when you’re trying to create an effortless wardrobe. Colour choice always has to be quite considered.
How do fabrics affect your approach as a designer?
Because I work with shapes that are a bit more sculptural, I tend to use fabrics that have a little bit more structure. I also focus on keeping it as natural as possible and choosing fabrics that are high quality and comfortable. Always cotton for shirting.
Our denim is made from two types: the brown is 100 per cent Japanese cotton that has been washed to create a really soft hand-feel and a great colour. And the vintage blue denim is made from 80 per cent regenerated cotton and 20 per cent post-consumer recycled cotton.
Will we still see iconic silhouettes coming through from past seasons?
I think we’ll always have that sort of hourglass silhouette throughout our collections, especially for dresses and shirting. I always try to oversize things, but then I end up bringing them in around the waist anyway. I would like to experiment with more sheer or drapey fabrics that are a little bit more relaxed in some ways.
How do you see this collection being worn and styled?
I really love seeing the denim paired with tailored suiting pieces. And I also quite like layering, so popping a white shirt under the Jamie blazer dress in black. I do feel like our iconic shirting glues the new pieces together really well, and the big collar on the Jane shirt sits so nicely popping out of the Zoe jacket. Tonally putting things together is really nice, too.
What pieces are you most excited about?
The denim feels like a real victory because it was such a long journey. Understanding how it all worked and creating really classic pieces that our customers can wear over and over and over again.
Is there anything else we should look out for?
I’d really like to make our denim a bit more summery – a mini dress or more playful silhouettes in that fabric too. This collection doesn’t have as many dresses as usual and I really do love designing dresses the most, so I think we’ll be focusing on that a bit more in the next collection.
jillianboustred.com
@jillianboustred
This article first appeared in Domain Review, in partnership with Broadsheet.
