Stephanie Chehade is certainly no newcomer to the Adelaide fashion scene, establishing herself almost instantly as one of our hottest local labels when she debuted her first-ever collection at New York Fashion Week. It’s currently easier than ever to invest in one of Stephanie Chehade’s luxury pieces, as she’s currently in her second pop-up shop, located at Burnside Village.
While she’s busy styling customers in her new space, we managed to grab five minutes of her time to ask her a few questions about herself and the label.
What inspired you to start your label Stephanie Chehade?
I have always been interested in fashion. As a young girl, I was very creative, I loved to sketch, l loved flicking through magazines and I loved watching my grandmother sew and make me outfits! It has always been in me; I donāt think there was another career path I could have gone down.
What milestones have you celebrated with the label?
Sometimes I really have to pinch myself when I think back to what I have accomplished in such a short amount of time. Debuting my first RTW [ready-to-wear] collection in New York Fashion Week with Fashion Palette would definitely top the list! It is crazy what you can achieve when you set your mind to something!Ā Being involved in the Adelaide Fashion Festival is also up there, as well as having the honor of dressing some amazing women for the Brownlow Medal and TV Week Logies.
I am currently selling my FW17 Collection in my second pop-store in South Australia, which is also something I am very proud of.
Who is the ideal Stephanie Chehade girl?
The Stephanie Chehade woman is contemporary but timeless, sophisticated but sexy!Ā She appreciates quality and the little details; is not afraid to push boundaries and have fun with what she wears and how she styles her outfits.
Who is your biggest supporter?
Probably my mum! I am extremely lucky, I have a large family and a few very close friends and they are all very supportive! My mum however, has really gone that extra mile.
What’s your favourite piece of clothing you’ve created?
I donāt think I have a favourite piece, every week I become obsessed with another piece from my collection.Ā Thatās what I love most about what I do, I am constantly playing around with the pieces I have designed and created.Ā My biggest aim is to have versatility; if a piece has multiple uses and can be dressed up or down and worn different ways, then I have achieved my goal and the piece sells itself!Ā At the moment though, my current obsession is the Partition Coat.
What has inspired your collection this season?
My biggest inspiration comes from street style; I could spend hours on Pinterest and on Instagram, finding cool bloggers and street style photographers.Ā I love seeing how people all over the world dress, it is very inspiring.
My Fall/Winter Collection, āWhen One Door Closesā is a capsule collection of my winter wardrobe staples; signature Stephanie Chehade.Ā Following on from my previous collection and the design concept, the styles are available in both black or navy and the pieces are designed to be worn as outfits, whether it be all navy, all black or a mixture of navy and black.
Where do you hope to take Stephanie Chehade in the next year?
My style is constantly evolving and the aim is for the Stephanie Chehade brand to evolve and move in the same direction.Ā My aim for the next year is to expand and create a national and international presence.Ā It is a very exciting time for the label and I am so grateful for all the support I have received thus far!
The Stephanie Chehade pop-up shop will be at 384c Greenville Rd, Glenside (Burnside Village) until September the 9th.
Images: Supplied
