Melbourne-based textile brand Squeak has introduced its new products for this season, featuring colourful and bold patterns.
The 2016 spring/summer range is a big step for the brand, as it has moved all manufacturing from China to India to enable more unique designs.
“I wanted to create a range that reflected Squeak was growing in a more sophisticated way, while not losing its fun side,” explains founder Pippa Oostergetel, who designs all the products in her Melbourne studio.
“My new manufacturers were capable of doing more exciting things and so that helped inspire me for the range, not to mention a visit to India itself. That will inspire anybody.”
The collection includes all the Squeak essentials including scarves, cushion covers, quilts and handbags in bold teal and pink designs, along with a more monochrome charcoal. For the first time, Oostergetel has added clutch purses to the range and has increased the luxe factor with a velvet reverse and hand stitching on her quilts.
Oostergetel founded Squeak—derived from her childhood nickname, pipsqueak—three years ago after becoming tired of designing products for other people. “I wanted to design the things that I love and so I decided to give it a shot,” she explains.
“The highlight has been having freedom; freedom to design, to be my own boss and make my own decisions. That can also be a challenge though as you have no one to bounce ideas off or to help take on some of the responsibility.”
Starting with just a small range of silk scarves, the brand has grown quickly and is now a finalist in three 2016 Life Instyle GALA categories—fashion and accessories, home and designer.
“Doing Squeak on my own means a lot of the time I am just designing what I like and hoping that other people will like it too,” says Oostergetel. “Being nominated for three GALA categories helps show me that other people seem to like my products too. It’s nice to feel appreciated within the industry.”
Squeak is stocked in boutique gift and homewares stores across the country and Oostergetel say she has exciting things in store for the brand.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but basically you’re going to see some Squeak classics get a facelift, as well as some new products in new areas.”
The new collection will land in stores just before Christmas.
By Ruth Cooper
