We put forward the idea for nowa to host the after party in our store, and Rundle Mall Management loved it. They had visited at our previous Age Of Exploration runway show and loved the idea of us hosting this event.
Adelaide DJs Barkada, the new hip/hop collective made up of club DJs, producers and rappers took control of the music and help turn our concept store into a full functioning basement club. Check out their instagram by clicking here.
The bar was operating with locally produced beverages from Adelaide Hills wineries and distilleries, a custom nowa Instagram filter made as a virtual "photo wall.
This time we kept the doors open and let anyone in who wanted in, and with restrictions still in play we ended up with a line out the front. We had a mix of some of Adelaides fashion industry figure heads, and customers who happened to wander down into our basement on a lunch break, and this showed us how diverse our community is growing.
Seeing the Adelaide fashion scene so vibrant and lively over the weekend was something sorely missed in the last 2 years. After missing last year due to COVID, and small brands being left on their own to survive, this beautiful resurgence of the fashion creative community was beautiful to see.
This party was designed to encapsulate nowa in its essence. No hierarchy, no favouritism, just good times for all to enjoy. A refreshing step in the right direction for the Adelaide fashion scene, and we're glad you could all be a part of it.
This party was also a clear definition of what our 'concept' store means, and that now is an important time for fashion labels to experiment what they are offering, and to really push that strong creative energy into multiple different avenues. At nowa, we're not offering just clothing, but a lifestyle directed towards happiness and being the best we can.
]]>Guided by the relationship clothing has with the human body and clothing, Nowa builds off of those foundational rules of form, and re-design elements to bring forward something new.
Everything around us is constantly evolving. After all we are natural explorers, tirelessly creating and innovating. The possibilities of what the human race can achieve are endless. Nowa believes it shouldn't end there. Everyday stepping out into society is an exploration in itself and what we wear says a lot about us. This collection aims to embody this ‘age of exploration’ we find ourselves in.
Exploring the concepts of DNA and energy creates something entirely new whether it existed before, or not. The colliding elements of human DNA and that of electricity create something that is out of this world, and at the core of existence. These two elements are at the heartbeat of man-made life, and artificial life. This idea has influenced this collection and inspired the concepts behind exploration.
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With increased focus on practicality and versatility, Nowa introduces new design elements such as cargo over-shirts with a transferable pocket interchangeable with matching cargo pants. For designer Stuart Knowles this collection embodies Nowa’s ideology of a ‘youthful elegance, a mix of old and new, pulling these opposing forces together.’ Harmonising different classes of dress.
The 'Age Of Exploration' is a stage that everyone goes through in their life multiple times. It pushes us into an unknown realm of excitement, and or fear.
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This week we dropped the new parfum from Mihan Aromatics titled Munlark Ash, bringing an even deeper scent of maturity to the line.
Munlark Ash is reminiscent of the undeniable beauty of Australia’s bushland and outback. Made with rich spices and woody notes, the parfum’s delicate smokiness alludes to what remains undisturbed, and undiscovered. Alongside cedar wood, black pepper and fir needles, Munlark Ash honours the Australian Blue Cypress Tree traditionally known as ‘Munlark’ by the Rembarrnga people of the Northern Territory. The parfum celebrates the complexity of Australia’s flora and fauna, alongside the Indigenous Australians to whom it belongs. Resinous, cleansing, nostalgic and arboreal Munlark Ash cherishes the nurture provided by Australia’s land and trees, encouraging indulgence in the rejuvenation they offer.
To mark the release of Munlark Ash, Mihan Aromatics have collaborated with Heath Wae, a Byron Bay based artist, and the co-founder of Studio of the Sun. Heath has interpreted the scent through a sensory and visual exploration of the tree of life, transforming the Munlark Ash packaging. His work celebrates the ritualistic ceremonies - young and old - that unfold under the dense canopy of Australian Blue Cypress trees. For the past 10 years, Julia Brown and Joshua Mihan have been thoughtfully noting evocative aromas, preserving both a creative and personal partnership. They cherish their contemporary and collective Australian experience by distilling it into scent.
Series one of Mihan Aromatics launched in 2017 - romantic and nostalgic, the scents were curated as ‘a portal for the individual to be instantly transported to their favourite memories’, Julia says. Munlark Ash follows Petrichor Plains in their second series, dedicated to the Australian landscape and its rare and natural phenomena. Mihan Aromatics are committed to creating familial scents that rise to the occasion. Genderless and time - less, their aromas conjure heartache, hubris and harmony. Focused on raising the profile of Australian native ingredients to an international landscape,
Mihan AromaticsTM Parfums are meticulously distilled with Australian Organic Sugarcane. Each Parfum Oil consists of parfum extract and Kakadu Plum Seed Oil — wildly grown and handpicked by the Bardi people of The Kimberley.
All Mihan Aromatics parfums are designed and developed, hand filled and assembled, with pride and passion in Melbourne, Australia. They are cruelty free and vegan certified.
Scent Description: Deep roots in undisturbed land. Creaking and creek lined. Gasps of crushed fir needles. A balsam of dense blue cypress and tree sap. A remedy of morning air inhaled deeply. Evergreen botanicals that mimic the quietness of first light. Ancient flowering trees and woods who graciously lend their oils for revival.
Munlark Ash is now available in 100ml Parfum (25% concentrate) or 8ml Parfum Extrait with Kakadu Plum Seed Oil.
]]>Going into this design, we had to develop the concept of what a tote bag really is and what it represents. The design process began looking at previous designs and combining that with the idea of looking at the world in the eyes of an explorer. Whether it be us or you, we are always searching.
Antique globe, Origin unknown
Technology, essential tools of the modern era. Stamping a compass, something so iconic from another era onto a staple accessory from the modern era meant harmonising past, present and future. Not only did the design bring these three concepts together, it put them in the hands of the user. Giving endless sources of inspiration to explore into someones hands is a powerful concept.
nowa is an Arabic name that means to give light, which made this concept fit quite naturally into our world.
Design development stages.
Our previous large size is now the medium. The new large size has the capacity to fit multiple A3 books. Utility and usability are at the foundation of the design. The mid weight cotton twill gives the bag a soft yet sturdy finish. It comes in 2 colours, both of which will feature in later nowa releases for A/W2020.
We played with the idea of an explorer, but wanted to keep the idea as subjective to the user as possible. This year we will be exploring deeper into the nowa story to really create something new and unique, and this tote bag is our essential tool for doing just that.
Shop the Medium Tote
Shop the Large Tote
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