Astasîa is the made-to-measure Brisbane label inspired by generations of craftsmanship
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHOT BY MARCH
WORDS BY YASMIN GOWER
“I place a big emphasis on colour, texture and movement in my clothes… I want them to naturally flow and fall on the body very freely.”
Anastasia Lutz fulfilled her childhood dream of starting a fashion label during her final year of university in Brisbane. Working with natural fibres, she meticulously hand-pleated and hand-dyed her fabrics, draping them into soft, feminine silhouettes. Through this process, she found a “very distinct” narrative emerged, one that would inspire the vision for her label, Astasîa.
Discover more up-and-coming local designers in our Fashion section.
Taking inspiration from nature and fantasy, Anastasia describes Astasîa “As if a little glass fairy or nymph figurine came to life, like the ones where it looks like the fairy has fashioned their own dress from a petal or a leaf.” Using the design skills passed down to her from her mother and grandmother, her delicate pieces can be custom-ordered from Astasîa’s Instagram. Below, she speaks on the journey so far.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
View this post on Instagram
My name is Anastasia and I’m the founder and creator of Astasîa Official. Astasîa is a slow fashion brand specialising in made-to-measure pieces using natural fibres and surrealist silhouettes. I’m currently based in Meanjin, Queensland.
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from QUT in 2022 and I’m an artist in residence at the artist collective Ventspace. I love to collaborate with other creatives in the Meanjin scene and Australian creative spaces.
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
View this post on Instagram
Since I was in school, I have always wanted to start my own label – but the opportunity didn’t present itself until I was starting my final year collection in my degree. Through my work process, I loved to hand-dye and hand-pleat a lot of natural fibres and play with this collision of colour and texture through draping and finding more naturalist shapes.
As the collection came together, every piece had a very distinct and cohesive narrative. They all lived in their own fairy/pixie/fantastical/surrealist world. It just kind of clicked – I had found my visual/aesthetic signature. Fashion is such a visual language that I think the distinct aesthetic really ended up speaking to people.
View this post on Instagram
From there, I was lucky enough to collaborate with some incredible photographers, stylists and models. Officially starting my brand was personally a very daunting task – I was solely in charge of every stage, from ideation to final product.
However, having the opportunity to really share my work was something I have always wanted, so it really drove me to continue. I was lucky enough to book Brisbane’s first official fashion week the year I graduated, so that really propelled me forward as well.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?
View this post on Instagram
When first sharing my final collection, my main drive was for the pieces to really speak to people, especially on social media. It was so important for me that my work really stood out in someone’s feed and got them to stop scrolling. Through the pandemic, we all saw how much people turned to online spaces to share their own creative expression.
Fashion and how we wear it suddenly became far more experimental and individualist. I wanted to connect with that community that found the fantastical and escapist potential in fashion. Creating these distinct pieces is absolutely still at the forefront of my work… I still use a tonne of colour.
How would you describe your label to someone who’s never seen it before?
View this post on Instagram
As if a little glass fairy or nymph figurine came to life, like the ones where it looks like the fairy has fashioned their own dress from a petal or a leaf.
I place a big emphasis on colour, texture and movement in my clothes… I want them to naturally flow and fall on the body very freely. I take a lot of inspiration from nature so I want the pieces to have this naturalist element… to flow in the breeze and change light in the sun, not remain stagnant on the body.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
View this post on Instagram
Above everything, I’m proud to have carried forward the skill set and craft of clothes-making and sewing that my mother and nan taught me. Every generation before me has passed down this technique and I’m so thankful to have learned from them.
I sew and make everything for Astasîa and I love being at the helm of the creation process and having that knowledge of technical construction to inform my process.
What about the Australian fashion industry needs to change?
View this post on Instagram
I would love to see more versatility in the general aesthetics, specifically on the runways. I think the Australian emerging fashion scene right now is so exciting, so I would love to see young new voices be boosted.
I think people are exploring a lot more and finding more freedom when they are picking out their clothes now. People aren’t afraid to make fun, outlandish choices. I personally would love to see more of that energy inspiring the Australian fashion industry.
Dream Australian collaborator?
View this post on Instagram
I have always been a fan of Gail Sorronda’s work. Her attention to detail and her use of texture and silhouette are brilliant… I would love to work with her. She is a fellow QUT fashion alum and it’s just incredible to see how far she has gotten.
Go-to dinner party playlist?
I stay obsessed with alto female and non-binary vocalists with a jazz/blues influence. Anything that feels kind of unplugged and crackly; that you could listen to on a rainy day. Throw in a soft snare drum and bass and I’m in…
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
View this post on Instagram
I have a few prized designer items that I love to style and mix with thrifted pieces, my favourite being a white lace dress shirt from Simone Rocha (which I only wear on days I can guarantee I won’t sweat!). I’m a huge thrifter and most pieces hanging up are thrifted and/or thrift-flips. I have a lot of pieces I buy for their ‘fabric potential’ as well.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
Through private sale on my Instagram. I currently do made-to-measure orders of all pieces on my page!
Anything else to add?
View this post on Instagram
While my clothes are feminine-coded, I never want people to think it’s just ‘a brand for girls’. It’s important to me to show a range of different pieces within my aesthetic and for people to know that anyone can wear them!
Explore Astasîa’s range here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
