Do you have a favourite dress that you wish you had in every colour? A dress that can go from work to play and beyond, fits you perfectly and expresses your style and personality. Don’t have one? The ‘birds’ at the nest (Birdsnest to those unfamiliar with the fabulous online boutique located in Cooma) have just launched their first inhouse line, that bird label, featuring a collection of summer dresses designed especially for the Birdsnest customer.

The label is the vision of Birsdsnest founder Jane Cay and head buyer Peige Eber, and has been planned since Birdsnest’s inception. Having analysed their customer database of over 50,000 women, the team identified the ‘needs, wants and desires’ of their customers – affordable styles that flatter every body shape, vibrant colour and inspiring prints. The aim of the label is for the customer to build a relationship with a style, knowing that it will be recreated in future collections.

With this in mind, Birdsnest recruited two recent CIT Bachelor of Design graduates, Hannah Knight (belowdecks left) and Penelope Murdoch (below right), to design the collection in just three weeks. As part of the design process, Hannah and Penelope measured every female staff member and discussed the styles and shapes that they loved, what they would like to accentuate and to hide. These measurements now form the basis of the that bird label size guide – a sizing guide based on real women – hip hip hooray!

The collection consists of five dresses and a skirt, all aptly named after native birds. Each dress and skirt is available in a number of fantastic prints including stripes, spots, horses, birds, florals and retro graphics – something for every style personality. What I love about the collection is there is a dress to suit every body shape, and details are available on the Birdsnest site to assist you in determining the best style for you.

The Lori – Fit and flare dress

The Robbie – Shift dress

The Rosie – Maxi skirt

The Maggie – Wrap dress

The Polly – Waist tie dress

The Bonnie – Maxi dress

My favourite style is the Robbie Shift dress but I may have to purchase two, as I cannot decide between the Leaf Cover and Splash Print. I also adore the Rosie Maxi Skirt in Bird Twig (I have a thing for bird print).

The team is currently working on the Winter Collection, creating prints in house for the first time and adding new styles. Amanda and I were lucky enough to have a sneak peak of work in progress, and if you love graphic prints you will not be disappointed.

Penelope and Hannah have been overwhelmed by the response to the collection with 400 items sold in the first three days and the The Bonnie Maxi Dress (size 8) sold out already.

The question is – which dress is for you?

Want a personal shopping and styling trip at the ‘Nest’?

After the success of the last Birdsnest Road Trip in April, HerCanberra and Style Liberation are excited to announce that the next Road Trips (self-drive this time to allow you greater flexibility) are scheduled for Saturday 21 September and Saturday 12 October. We would love you to join us for a fabulous afternoon of retail therapy at the ‘Nest’. Booking details to be revealed soon!