Founder Holly Vallance left her long-term nursing career to pursue her passion for fashion and design. Established in 2020, Alessandra Vallance was born out of a desire for a luxurious yet comfortable wardrobe, the need for timeless yet modern feminine staples that are always tailored to perfection.
Sustainability is at Alessandra Vallance’s heart, with offcuts repurposed and donated to other businesses and manufacturers. All silk styles have an average of 85-90% efficiency on lay and cut with minimal fabric waste.
Tell us about Alessandra Vallance.
I launched Alessandra Vallance in 2020, a year I think no one will ever forget with the pandemic.
I initially launched the first range with the idea that producing in Italy would allow supreme quality but quickly realised that Australia has an incredibly skilled and versatile manufacturing industry. Now producing locally with a family run, ethically accredited factory this has allowed the brand to grow ethically and sustainably while producing an incredibly high quality product, but also the bonus of supporting Australia’s growing onshore textile industry and since the pandemic supporting local is now more than ever.
The brand is all about an elevated and luxurious yet restrained wardrobe without sacrificing comfort. Endlessly inspired by DaVinci’s words “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” the brand revolves around this timeless concept and what it aims to bring out in today’s sophisticated woman – simplicity, femininity, elegance and thus, being a class apart.
What inspired you to start Alessandra Vallance.
I have done a lot of travelling, especially around Europe, and fell in love with European tailoring. I wanted to create classic contemporary styles that you could mix and match, keep in your wardrobe season after season and tailor them to the relaxed Australian aesthetic.
Tell us about your career and background.
I actually don’t have a fashion background , I studied nursing straight from school and my family are all in the medical field. I have worked as a nurse for over 10 years mainly in community nursing, which I very much enjoyed and have recently signed up to help with the roll out of the Covid vaccines. I have always, however, been very creative and worked alongside fashion designers in my very very younger years as a model. In year 9 I did a short stint of work experience with a designer and remember helping sort through fabrics thinking how wonderful some of them felt. My mum was always very stylish growing up and I would quite often raid her wardrobe. I designed my school formal dresses with a friend of my Mum actually sewing them for me, so I would say I have always had a love for fashion. I think of myself as a very empathic person and found nursing very rewarding and I think this is also reflected in AV. I want my customers to feel they are valued and make them smile and this begins right at the very start. Every purchase, no matter the amount spent, is sent off in our branded box with a personalised hand written note and dried baby’s breath and wrapped in a beautiful ribbon. I remember in the first few months of launching I received a card in the post from a customer thanking me for such a beautiful touch and this has happened twice more. I have this first card framed to remind me why I started.
Describe a typical workday for you.
Wake up – glass of water, smoothie, active serums and sunscreen SPF 50 as skin care is very important!! Head to the office and check the emails, instagram, meet with manufacturers or suppliers, however the last 18months that has been quite seldom due to lockdowns so a lot has been done via virtual and fabric swatches being posted. I may have fittings, or be textile sourcing, browsing for inspiration, it really depends on what is needed at a given time. More recently my workdays can also consist of donning PPE and administering Covid vaccinations!
What’s next for you and Alessandra Vallance?
I’m currently looking for retail space and at the same time I’m seeking to have the collections placed in some boutique stores. Unfortunately due to Covid and continuous lockdown here in Melbourne it has set me back into a retail timeline but eventually I would like to introduce wholesale at some point in the future. Sustainability is a core value of the brand so I will continue to commit to continually assessing and improving these practices. 100% of production is now onshore here in Melbourne with limited production runs and I will continue to be supporting our local industry and really nurturing the creatives that we have here in Melbourne.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Find what makes you passionate and keep making decisions whether business or pleasure that help to fuel that passion. Working for yourself and starting a business is hard and can be lonely so you need support along the way, people to vent to and be honest about your fears with whether that’s friends, family or even strangers in online business forums! The big secret is, you don’t need to know it all to start your business. You can find people who can help you move forward. I think networking is very very important so don’t be afraid to seek out other professionals help and don’t turn down an invitation!
How has COVID-19 affected your business?
Covid-19 brought me to manufacture onshore. My first range was produced in Italy and I was actually there in the epicentre of the virus when it hit. I think if I didn’t come home when I did, things would be very different for the business and it could potentially not be here today. I was very lucky to get in with CGT Manufacturing ( who by the way are absolute legends) as since the pandemic everyone is now wanting to produce locally.
I think, in terms of being a small business with a value on sustainability, the pandemic has shed a light on this as before the pandemic the approach to fashion was about excess and keeping up with what was in the now and on trend where people had the urge to buy more to show it off and they weren’t necessarily buying quality. Now I think there is overall more consideration in what people are buying and it has shifted to pieces that are quality driven, have longevity and people are in support of small labels with identity.