Cottage Industry
Fashion
Practical natural fibre clothing made In Fitzroy. Based on traditional workwear and special pieces made from antique fabrics, and designs that are not driven by contemporary fashion but are classics that last.
-
Pene Durston has a deep interest in the history and techniques of textiles and clothing. Having a BA in Textile Design and having taught at RMIT BD Fashion she designs garments that are not driven by the 'fashion cycle' and primarily uses dead stock and natural fibres along with repurposing and recycling antique fabrics. She has a love of historical workwear and practical clothing that are easy to wear and care for.
In 2008 Pene opened her store Cottage Industry, on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, as a platform to talk to customers about the work she produced (clothing and homewares, and the long running overseas brands she stocks) and the ideas behind the designs. The garment design are limited but are tried and true classics, the Harvest Smock has been made for almost 15 years and is produced in small quantities with fabrics changing every few months. Some garments are produced in only one size but multiple lengths while other designs are graded from XS all the way up to 3XL.
The business has two labels, Penelope Durston and Cottage Industry, with the business flying under the Cottage Industry banner. Most of the production is done at the studio in Fitzroy with a small amount of outwork being done by accredited ethical clothing manufacturers.
