The Professor’s Daughter

On any given morning, Melbourne women rush around the city, juggling handbags and coffees, bustling to get to their respective workplaces. Each of these women are chameleons of fashion, changing their style with the trends, seasons and places they visit.

Melbourne-based fashion label The Professor’s Daughter is celebrating its second birthday this month with the release of its fourth collection. Inspired by cosmopolitan cities of the world; Paris, New York, Hong Kong and London, the collection takes its cues from the street art, art deco and repeated patterns found there and turns this influence into sleek, “Melbourne-centric” fashion.

Designer Mariska Thynne says one of her greatest influences is stylish city women and the workplace.

“Some of my best inspiration comes from that girl taking the tram to the office in the morning, struggling with her cape and tram ticket and I think, how could I make that work better for her,” says Mariska.

The label’s core design aesthetic stems from the silhouette of dresses from the 30s and 60s — think Greta Garbo or Mad Men — with more modern elements. Mariska says the women who buy her designs are looking for a polished and chic look that can be worn every day.

The Professor’s Daughter caters for women from a size six to size 20 and takes individual specifications from customers such as a shorter hemline or differing sizes on the top and bottom. Mariska now also takes commissions for one-off custom-made pieces.

The label will be showing eight outfits from the new collection at The Only Way is Up show at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week on September 4.

They can be found at one of its three boutique stockists – Robe on Smith Street, Fitzroy and at theprofessorsdaughter.com.

“THE ONLY WAY IS UP” MSFW CATWALK SHOW
City of Melbourne Bowls Club, Flagstaff Gardens
September 4, 6.00pm till 10.00pm