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Co-designed by Nina Ergic and Dan Romanin, Australian womenswear label, One Fell Swoop is lauded for their precision drapery and proficient tailoring. In 2015, the West Australian-based brand celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Having met while studying at the prestigious West Australian School of Art and Design, where both students would be the first in and the last to leave, they quickly discovered that not only did they share a similar European lineage, but possessed a congruent design aesthetic. And when it came time to present their final year collection, they did so together, thus beginning their venture.

In February 2005 they made their debut as One Fell Swoop, a moniker that was inspired by a critical scene from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which resonated strongly with the designers. The inaugural 15-piece collection earned One Fell Swoop both critical and commercial success. They were soon after the Mercedes Benz Australian Fashion Week Startup Award, which allowed them to present a collection at the A/W Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in June of 2005. The subsequent exposure secured new stockists on both the east and west coast of Australia.

Though quickly acknowledged as one of Western Australia’s rising labels, One Fell Swoop’s designers understood that with kudos, comes pitfalls. Longevity was the end game, so they decided to implement a strategic plan focused on sustainable and organic growth. This strategy yielded the designers the chance to explore and refine their design aesthetic.

During these formative years, Nina and Dan mastered their chosen mediums of tailoring and drapery. They forged signature techniques including the age-old art form of manipulating a singular piece of cloth, resulting in the creation of an interminable garment. Their minimalist silhouettes are designed to complement both the female form and the environment in which they are worn.

Every piece begins as a single piece of cloth worked over a mannequin. With the use of draping techniques, sculpting and manipulation a form is created. This material formation is then refined into a complementing dress silhouette, detailing length, shape and finishings the shape becomes a fully designed garment made into a calico Toile. These toiles are perfected into final styles where the focus falls on the handle, weight, texture, and drape and how this will all affect the fit. The Toile is then unpicked, and the calico pieces are transferred to pattern card and meticulously labelled. The dress pattern has been made; it will now be cut in the selected fabrication and working closely with the seamstress made into a new garment. All our pieces are made locally in Western Australia with the upmost of love and care.

Valuing circular production, each garment is designed to stand the test of time. Unhindered by trends, age, or body type, each piece is crafted to invoke a sensation of elegance no matter the wearer. Having cultivated a close-knit team Dan and Nina take pride in the intimate nature of their working foundations and their ability to remain authentic to their designs. Maintaining a high-quality experience takes precedence in the bespoke nature of their service. Championing local workers and fostering employee development is an integral part of the brand’s sustainable and ethical practices.

They work predominately with natural fibers including European silk and Australian merino wool and are renowned for their use of crepe de Chine. Their designs are heavily inspired by nature, in particular, the concepts of minimalism, amplified fluidity and molecular structure.

Having cemented their position within the Australian market. One Fell Swoop are featured in publications such as Vogue Australia, Marie Claire and Stellar Magazine. The brand has also become a go-to for red carpet favourites Jules Sebastian, Lindy Klim and Anna Heinrich.