about the brand
Launched in Brisbane, Australia in 2020, a hop and a skip is a slow fashion brand creating vintage-inspired styles with a fresh, playful twist.
Encompassing the principles of slow fashion philosophy, a hop and a skip is all about creating with natural fibers, up-cycled materials and precious vintage finds. From fresh linen, mid-century style dresses; to re-working patchwork quilts into cozy winter jackets; mixing new with old materials is in our DNA.
You will discover a bricolage of looks that speak to the conscientious fashion lover’s value of minimising the environmental footprint whist still finding fun with daily dressing.
Offering playful designs that bring a spring to your step is at the heart of a hop and a skip.
Meet the maker
Hello, I’m Laura.
Always a creative at heart, I’ve dedicated myself to discovering my truest creative expression. The path to fashion was in no way linear, but with inspiration from my real-life muses and the commitment to personal growth, I finally landed exactly where I am supposed to be.
After completing a Psychology degree, I decided instead to lean on my passion: circus. I trained and performed for years before moving onto costume making in wardrobe departments across some of Australia’s elite performance companies, to eventually landing in the world of fashion.
Upon completing Fashion Design studies with a portfolio full of potential designs, and freshly developed dressmaking skills I decided to embrace the freedom and the thrill to do fashion my way and launch an independent label according to my values and my aesthetic sensibilities.
a hop and a skip is my truest creative expression and the best way I know to share My most authentic self with the world.
Who made my clothes?
Encompassing the complete design, pattern drafting, and manufacturing process; along with a dedication to the craft of good old-fashioned dressmaking means that every a hop and a skip piece is skilfully hand-made from start to finish in my sunny Brisbane studio. With the belief in quality over quantity, focus is on styles that transcend seasons and stand the test of time.
a hop and a skip offers a made-to-order service as standard. This means when you place an order, it is cut and sewn according to your measurements just for you. This is my preferred method of manufacturing as it eliminates over-producing and personally is more gratifying knowing each piece I work on is being prepared for a special someone.
Whilst I work primarily to a made-to-order model, a limited number of off-the-rack pieces are available ready-to-ship online and at pop-up events throughout the year.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last. ”
— Vivienne Westwood
muse
The a hop and a skip woman is fun-loving, conscientious and engaged in the world around her. She loves catching up with friends over coffee at the local weekend markets, exploring far-flung destinations and getting her art-fix at cultural festivals. Attuned to the simple pleasures in life, she surrounds herself with good friends, good food and good places.
Never a trend follower; instead she creates her own personal style by pairing pieces from independent makers with designer pieces and one-of-a-kind vintage finds. She is an ethical consumer, aware that her purchasing decisions can have either a constructive or a destructive impact on people and planet.
A lover of natural fibres for their comfort to wear at home and for travel. A proud outfit-repeater, op-shopper, supporter of local businesses in her community and favours having a well-edited collection of special wardrobe pieces which can be layered and styled according to the season and occasion.
