Hot Chip The Label serves up sustainable fashion with new retail shop in Bulli

From her sewing machine tucked away in the artist space of the Timbermill Studios in Bulli, Eliza Garton has been on a mission to prove that sustainable fashion can be both stylish and size-inclusive through her business Hot Chip The Label.

Using the cheeky slogan “Eat the chips, wear the dress”, she isn’t afraid to have a little fun with it too.

The Figtree designer started the fashion label in August last year, creating a sustainable clothing line that upcycles vintage fabrics and repurposed materials into dresses, tops and soon, skirts.

Already she’s embarking on the next phase of the business, celebrating the opening of her first dedicated retail space inside the Timbermill last Saturday (8 March), showcasing her made-to-order and ready-to-wear pieces in sizes six to 32.

“I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember, making my own clothes and always getting comments about my outfits,” Eliza said.

“I haven’t studied fashion at all. I’m self-taught and learned from my mum and my grandma at a young age how to use a machine.

“Last year, I made my wedding dress, so I thought, if I can do that, then I can do a clothing label.”

She said she previously had a sewing business making accessories, but thought it was time to take the leap into designing and selling clothes.

“There’s so much fabric out there and also just altering things to make them fit you better,” she said.

“I’ve always spent a lot of time in op shops, and finding something in an op shop and upcycling it a little bit. It’s always fun.”

She said upcycled materials often included bed sheets, quilt covers and vintage fabrics – getting new life from materials that would otherwise go to waste.

“Bed sheets and quilt covers you always get quite a lot of meterage out of,” she said.

“I’m finding there’s a lot of vintage fabric out there that’s being resold now because people are finally going through wardrobes.

“Or sometimes it’s the unfortunate event where someone’s mum has passed away, and they’re clearing out their home and there’s just cupboards full of unused meterage of fabric.

“It’s nice to be able to get a few bits like that and make it into a special piece that can be enjoyed.”

She said the cheeky slogan “Eat the chips, wear the dress” was about not taking things too seriously.

“I’m trying to do a serious thing, making garments that are going to last a long time, using sustainable materials, but also have a bit of fun,” she said.

Eliza said that also meant not worrying about the size on the tag, having decided to offer sizes six to 32 in made-to-order and ready-to-wear pieces due to “having a keen interest in self-expression through fashion”.

“It’s not necessarily following trends, but just wearing whatever I like to wear,” she said.

“It can be really deflating when you’re looking around and you see things that look awesome, but they just don’t come in your size, or they do come in your size but they fit terribly.

“I feel with my brand, nobody should miss out.

“If they want a Hot Chip piece, they should be able to get a Hot Chip piece.”

She said another sustainability goal for her was helping people become mindful shoppers.

“Marketing these days on social media just forces ads into your face, and you’ve really got to fight against it to make wise choices,” she said.

“It’s to buy with purpose and ask, do I really need this?”

Having been in a smaller studio in the Timbermill since August, she is now in one of its retail spaces, which will allow customers to browse the space, watch Eliza work, and purchase her unique, one-of-a-kind designs or chat about tailoring a piece just for them.

“It’s right at the front (of the Timbermill). I’ve got a window that faces the street and a nice big area in there,” she said.

To celebrate the opening, Eliza hosted a clothing drive in partnership with Dress for Success, collecting professional attire to donate to the Illawarra branch of the charity that helps dress women re-entering the workforce.

Hot Chip The Label and the Timbermill Studios are located at 2/6 Molloy St, Bulli.