Step inside the Sister Studios x Kannava Jewels showcase, a celebration of female friendship

A night to remember.

The most interesting fashion shows (in addition to those with breathtaking designs) are those set in unexpected locations. Gucci on an eerie conveyor belt, LaQuan Smith at the top of the Empire State Building, Sister Studios at sunset on the Thornbury Bowls Club green. As longstanding members discussed bowls strategy over pints of Carlton Draught, a throng of colourful Melbournites piled into the grey-carpeted dining room, listening to Olivia Rodrigo and waiting for Sister’s sunset show to begin.

In collaboration with handcrafted jewellery label Kannava Jewels, Naarm womenswear brand Sister Studios showcased its latest collections ‘and a party in the spirit of la dolce vita’ for Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Eager to visit a bowls club for the first time since Nanna Muriel’s 80th (confirmed: they are full of kitschy, homegrown charm), I slipped on my cowboy boots and hopped in an Uber.

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With FJ’s Account Manager Ella and her bestie Liv in tow, we arrived at the bowls club to instead find a… taco truck? No complaints here. While we debated chicken or beef, we grabbed a drink and walked through the club interior – past groups of smiling, beautiful people – to the perfectly manicured green.

As disco music floated through the overhead speakers, the first model stepped onto the forbidden grass (shoes! On a bowls club green! Muriel is quaking) wearing a two-piece baroque print set and sparkling, chin-length drop earrings. The show had a romantic, softly-lit after-dinner-drinks feel to it – with pieces featuring velvet, lace, puffy sleeves and slinky cutouts. Sister also debuted its new fountain print by Megan McNeil, inspired by ‘baroque etchings overflowing with cherubs and fountains’.

The real stars of the showcase, though, were the female forces behind the night. It’s all in the name, really – after making clothes for family, friends and friends of friends, Sister designers Emma and Alice decided to start a label. Kannava Jewels founder Ruby is a great friend and sister to the girls – and for Saturday’s showcase, their collective group of creative, incredible women took centre stage.

Zeïna Thiboult’s breathtaking hair sculptures adorned the heads of artist Aki Yaguchi and Zeïna herself, while creatives and Sister muses Sienna Barton, Stephanie Lane, Sabina McKenna and Sienna Ludbey (among others) walked the runway. Listening to the beats of Sav Anad-Sobtl and Sally Tabart, models, artists and mums danced the remaining eve away. Can every fashion show be held at a bowls club?

Discover Sister’s new collection here.