Sweet Bitter is the Perth-based label celebrating girlhood
PHOTGRAPHY BY Casey Sawbridge
words by DAISY HENRY
“I wish I knew the importance of starting even when you don’t feel ready.”
Designer Annelise Cavenoni grew up watching her Nonna create and mend clothing. It took a while for her to follow suit, but after high school, she took up sewing, starting small with clothing and flipping thrifted pieces. She viewed it as a hobby for years, until 2020 when she decided to pursue her passion and apply for a fashion course at Tafe.
After one semester, Annelise decided she could learn more independently and left to pursue full-time work, with the goal of saving up enough to fund her own fashion label. She created Sweet Bitter one year later.
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Annelise has since grown the label from a small-scale project selling online and at local markets, to scaling up to introduce third-party suppliers. “I decided to take the next step and have my designs manufactured,” she explains.
Today marks the launch of Sweet Bitter’s SS25 collection. From its highly popular Yuki pants to baby pink and yellow button-ups, each style went through up to five rounds of sampling to find the perfect cut. Blending sporty and feminine elements, every piece is playfully adorned with pearl star buttons, ruffles, zips and floral prints.
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Hi Annelise! What’s your fashion background and how did Sweet Bitter get started?
I’m a fashion designer based in Perth, Western Australia. My fashion background started from a young age when I would sit and watch my Nonna create and mend clothing. After high school, I started sewing as a pastime, altering and flipping thrifted items. However, at the time I still only viewed it as a hobby.
It wasn’t until dabbling in different university courses that I realised I should pursue what I loved and knew if I worked hard enough I could make it work. I then studied fashion at Tafe for one semester before I decided I would learn more independently. I knew I needed to work full-time to fund my brand in the future.
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I then created my label, Sweet Bitter, and started designing and sewing pieces at home which I sold online and at local markets. After a couple of years of doing this, I decided to take the next step and have my designs manufactured overseas. This was very exciting however there were some challenges, such as having to go through several samples to perfect a design which can be quite costly.
How would you describe Sweet Bitter to someone who’s never seen it before?
Sweet Bitter clothing blends playful charm with innovative design, striking a balance between feminine and sporty allure.
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What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
I’m most proud of creating pieces that feel both timeless and personal – clothing that allows people to express themselves authentically while feeling comfortable and confident. Seeing others embrace and connect with the designs and making them their own is incredibly rewarding.
What do you wish you knew when you started?
I wish I knew the importance of starting even when you don’t feel ready and learning to trust your vision, especially when it seems out of touch to everyone else – I believe that means you’re on the path to creating something worth sharing.
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Who do you think is exciting in Australian fashion right now?
There are so many amazing small brands from Australia that I admire. A couple of my favourites at the moment are Briar Will and Kahe.
What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
I can only speak from my experience in Perth but I believe the industry needs to foster a more welcoming environment where creatives can work together to grow and nurture their craft. The industry can feel quite gatekept. If the information was spread more freely I believe it would give those wanting to create more confidence and in my opinion, there’s always room for more creatives!
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Dream Australian collaborators?
Perks and Mini, Emily Watson, Karlaidlaw and Kahe just to name a few!
What music do you love listening to while working?
At the moment im loving Lexa Gates or Larry June! Unless I need something more upbeat, then it’s either Yeat or Don Toliver.
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Who is in your wardrobe right now?
Of course my Sweet Bitter samples, Open YY, J.Kim, Briar Will and a whole lot of vintage gems from Depop!
How can we buy one of your pieces?
On my website!
Find more from Sweet Bitter here.
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