In the space of three months, the once-was team at Fiasco managed to close up shop, entirely reinvent themselves, then reopen in the ritzier location of the King Street Arts Centre as the thoroughly modern concept shop, The Family Store.
The charm behind The Family Store is that they design their own clothes, providing the public with a range entitled Family Value, an assortment of super affordable basics, which don’t skimp on being super chic.
This summer The Family Store are heading to the movies for an arcade adventure crammed full of monster toothed mini skirts, gorgeous geometric printed garments, and the most outrageous space invader threads you’ll ever see! The ever vivacious Natalie Dean – one of the five creators behind The Family Store – took a moment to schmooze with OUTinPerth and give the lowdown on their downright delightful designs.  ÂÂ
Can you describe the design process behind this collection?
We wanted to make it really bright. We took our idea of having basic clothes and worked up the collection from there, but what makes our clothes so interesting is that we work as a team of designers. All of the crew who work at Family – which includes five core members and another two casual members – have an input into the design process. So from that you’ll have something super crazy, like the Invaders t-shirt, and then something super dress, like the Day Or Night dress. As a result, I think we have a huge variety in what we’re selling because of that involved design process.
Can’t that be a difficult process to manage?
It can be at times. As good as it is to have all that input, it can be hard to juggle. We find it’s essential to communicate properly at all times, so that everyone manages to get in their two cents.
What kind of shapes do you have in this seasons collection?
We went really high waisted with all the girls stuff and really fun, while with the boys we were quite playful, throwing in some lieder-hosen and bright bold prints on the t-shirts.
Stand out pieces for this summer?
For the girls it would have to be the tuxedo sequin dress. The detail on it is just gorgeous. For the boys? Our super lightweight two-tone short shorts are just perfect for summer, but the best eye grabbing pieces would have to be the Invader t-shirt and the 3-D polka dot top. Those pieces are literally gonna be walking out the door!
And walk they shall this summer. The Family Store – located at Shop 3 & 4/357 Murray Street, Perth – is become the hotspot to shop for all things: Family Values, Material Boy, Another Boy, The Cassette Society, Kokon to Zai and coming soon, Family Shoes. Contact them (08) 9321 8635 or go online to www.familyvalues.com.au to check out the new range.
