This Week, According To Rani...
From the Studio to the Stage...
There are few things I love more than a beautiful piece of clothing. Except, perhaps, a beautiful piece of clothing with an even better story behind it.
And this one involves two of our favourite things: St. Agni and Olivia Dean.
Recently, Vogue shared a rather lovely story about Australian label St. Agni creating a custom dress for Olivia Dean to wear on stage in New Zealand. Naturally, we were delighted.
As longtime admirers and stockists of St. Agni here at Alterior Motif, we've always appreciated the brand's approach to design. Considered silhouettes, beautiful fabrics and an ability to make even the simplest pieces feel special. But seeing that same design philosophy translated into a one-of-a-kind stage look was something else entirely.
The story gets even better.
According to founder Lara Fells, Olivia's music was the soundtrack to the development of St. Agni's Resort 2027 collection. So much so that she became something of a muse for the team.
Imagine spending months designing a collection while listening to your favourite artist, only to end up creating something for her to wear. Talk about a full-circle moment.
Working alongside Olivia's stylist, Simone Beyene, the St. Agni team created a crimson dress with delicate straps, a softly squared neckline and dramatic floral embellishments.
The result? A little bit romantic, a little bit theatrical and completely beautiful.
What we particularly love is how recognisably St. Agni the dress remains. Even with its striking colour and elaborate detailing, the silhouette is wonderfully refined. It's a reminder that simplicity and extravagance can coexist rather happily.
And beyond the dress itself, there's something so special about seeing an Australian label celebrated on an international stage.
At Alterior Motif, we're fortunate enough to work with brands whose creativity and craftsmanship we genuinely admire. St. Agni has long been one of them, and moments like these remind us why.
There's an enormous amount of imagination, care and hard work behind the pieces we hang on our racks. Sometimes it's easy to forget just how many hands and ideas are involved in bringing a garment to life.
So, a little appreciation for the wonderful team at St. Agni, for the beautiful work they continue to create, and of course, for Olivia Dean.