MINTY
The Golden Era
Redefining fashion with Goldie + Ace
Sustainable style There is a growing movement away from fast fashion, which has dominated clothing retail for over 30 years, towards a more ethical buy less, wear it more and pass it on approach. Alana Tiller comes from a background of bedlinen and textiles, and after having her first child, noticed that for people wanting to embrace this philosophy, it could be quite costly. Alana launched Goldie + Ace in 2017 with Chris Kontos, from Chris Kontos Creative, and together they embarked on helping customers take a more considered approach to their kids’ clothing purchases with the bonus that it did not cost the earth. Brand philosophy Alana confirms “While the brand has evolved a lot over the last three years the main constant has been to ensure what we create is good quality and that we care for the environment in doing so. We don’t want our garments to end up as landfill, so we educate our customers to mend clothing if it gets a hole in the knee.” From the fabric to the workmanship, Goldie + Ace aim to create garments that can withstand the test of time and are cherished along the way. “Babies and kids can wreck or stain clothing beyond repair, but by using good quality fabrics we offer the
best chance possible of removing those stains and providing longevity,” notes Alana. The responsible approach is not limited to the clothing, as Goldie + Ace use compostable mail satchels and thank you cards which can be planted to grow into flowers. Design inspiration “Growing up in Australia in the 80’s and 90’s, we often look back to own our childhood for inspiration. We literally pore over old photo albums and remind ourselves of what we loved wearing when we were young, lead with a few key pieces and then build the collection from there”, explain Alana and Chris. Alana confides, “I was a New Kids on the Block and Kylie Minogue girl, while Chris’ favourite fashion moment from his childhood was a Cookie Monster tracksuit which, for now, will remain in the archives!” By delving into their childhoods Alana and Chris have built a brand with a touch of nostalgia for a time when childhood was a lot simpler than it is now. Interestingly, this was not part of some master plan. “Our vibe evolved organically and has strengthened in line with my increased confidence as a designer and from customer feedback on what they loved most”, says Alana. Staying authentic can be difficult so Alana and Chris try not to look at
