Honey Hartley is one of the most innovative and exciting womenswear labels to have emerged from Australia in 2004. With an eye for impeccably tailored high fashion and the creation of individual garments, Honey Hartley has secured its position as one of fashion's rising stars.
The Honey Hartley label is the creation and childhood dream of Honey Hartley, an ex student from the prestigious East Sydney Design Studio. The label was established in 2004 with the opening of 'Miss Honey', a high-end boutique in William Street Paddington, Sydney. Miss Honey quickly became a destination for stylists and both local and international celebrities.
In 2005 Honey Hartley exhibited at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week where it picked up both US and European agents and was also selected to exhibit at Prêt å Porter Paris with 4 runway shows a day.
2006 saw the Honey Hartley label relocate to Double Bay, in order to focus on wholesaling and expanding the business.
Honey Hartley combines perfect silhouettes and detailing to inspire the cutting edge consumer. Most fabrics incorporated in the collections are hand dyed and printed with original artworks designed by Honey and mutli media artist, AFI award winner and partner, Ian Hartley.
An extensive use of panelling and top stitching is often incorporated within the garments in order to create an enhanced silhouette. All garments are hand finished and made in Australia. Hard wearing and unconventional fabrics are frequently implemented in the design process
Hartley's inspiration for 'hard glamour' was drawn essentially from from the late 70's New York punk movement and avant - garde French film, from the late 60's and 70's. .
Honey Hartley garments have been featured in Marie- Claire, Cleo, FHM, Step-In-Style, and Harper's Bazaar magazines. They are worn by MTV Awards presenters and both local and international celebrities.
In October 2007 Honey Hartley showed its New York Doll collection in The New Generation Show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2007 Transeasonal Collections 07 /08 to critical acclaim by both local and international media.
The current Spring Summer 08 / 09, Pink Punk Collection, which has just shown in the Ready To Wear group collection shows at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 08 / 09, is a feminine take on punk rock. Think hand dyed sugar pink linen with punk rock prints. Modesty Blaise meets x-ray spex.
Fabrics include luxurious organic cottons, silk satins, silk organza, denim, wool and linen. Tutus teamed with tuxedo jackets. Toulouse Lautrec meets Sid Vicious.
