In a heartening move for local creativity, a once-vacant shopfront in Perth's Plaza Arcade has been transformed into a vibrant hub for West Australian fashion. Studio VIII, which opened its doors in October 2025, is not the project of a single retail chain but a collaborative effort by a group of emerging designers pooling their resources and talent.
A Collective Vision for Perth Fashion
Inspired by the legacy of designer hubs like Subiaco's The Colonnade, Studio VIII operates on a powerful principle: collaboration over competition. The founders realised that while individually they couldn't sustain a CBD shopfront, together they could. Tanya Stewart-Carter, founder of the label Koi Girl, explains the shared mindset: "We thought if we all shared the space and shifts, we could support each other and still have time in our studios to create and design."
This innovative model received crucial backing from Activate Perth, a not-for-profit association dedicated to reinvigorating empty city centre spaces. "There's a lot of empty spaces and shops in Perth and (they) negotiate with the landlord so those spaces can be filled. We're pretty blessed," Stewart-Carter notes. For the designers, the direct connection with customers is a unique reward. "It's nice when a customer comes in and they pick up something you've designed and you can say, 'Actually, that's my label'. It feels good to know that people appreciate your designs," she adds.
Showcasing WA Talent for New Year's Eve
In a special festive shoot for STM, up-and-coming model Devina Chavda showcased a curated selection from Studio VIII's designers at the QT Perth hotel, which is preparing for its New Year's Eve 'Midnight Marquee' event. The shoot highlighted everything from frocks and jewellery to shoes and accessories, embodying the collective's eclectic and sustainable spirit.
At the core of every brand in Studio VIII is a shared commitment to slow, sustainable fashion. This isn't fast fashion; it's about craftsmanship, unique stories, and mindful production. Let's meet the designers defining this new wave of WA style.
The Designers of Studio VIII
Koi Girl: Founded in 2008 by Tanya Stewart-Carter, Koi Girl began with accessories made from reclaimed vintage Japanese silks and has now expanded into apparel. Every piece uses authentic vintage fabric, ensuring no two items are alike.
Rotch: A circular fashion label and founding member of the collective, Rotch specialises in upcycled, one-of-a-kind garments. The brand takes a zero-waste approach, transforming items like discarded mining pants into edgy new clothing.
Ginny Grey: A rarity in the industry, every Ginny Grey garment is designed, cut, and constructed entirely in Perth. The brand uses natural fibres like silk and linen and operates on a small-batch, made-to-order model to minimise waste.
Notchi: Described as "where creative chaos crashes into streetwear reality," Notchi repurposes deadstock denim, silk, and cotton into eclectic pieces, each hand-dyed and printed by designer Siri.
Kirrikin: An established name among the collective, Kirrikin was founded by Wonnarua woman Amanda Healy in 2014. The label celebrates First Nations culture through original prints on dresses, scarves, and silks.
Madi Doro: This small sustainable label offers both one-of-a-kind and ready-to-wear garments, with signature pieces including corsets and chic matching sets by designer Madi Dorotich.
Studio Hau: Crafted in Fremantle from reclaimed sterling silver, Studio Hau creates bold, geometric jewellery inspired by wild plants and clean architecture.
Broochella: Launched in 2022 by Juliet Cuerden, Broochella has become Perth's premier destination for brooches. Made in Australia and inspired by Italian heritage, it aims to redefine the accessory for the modern wearer.
Msoues: Offering menswear with a modern twist, designer Simo El Msoues blends sustainable streetwear with earthy tones inspired by his Marrakech roots, using recycled materials sourced in Perth.
Magnetica Adornments: This brand creates extraordinary wearable art. Each intricate piece is handcrafted from collected objects like forgotten jewellery, transforming memories into new adornments.
Looking Ahead
Studio VIII represents a significant and hopeful shift for Perth's retail and creative landscape. It proves that through collaboration, emerging talent can gain a vital foothold in the city centre, offering shoppers unique, sustainably-made alternatives. The collective can be found on Instagram at @studioviii.au.
Meanwhile, the QT Perth's 'Midnight Marquee' New Year's Eve party, where the STM fashion shoot took place, is now on sale. Tickets start from $269 per person and include DJ and circus entertainment, drinks, deluxe canapes, oysters, caviar, and a dessert station. Details are available at qthotels.com/perth.
