Meet Lucia Hanna and Cathie Burke, the co-founders of With Harper Lu, an ethical and sustainable Melbourne-made fashion brand with a focus on elevated ready-to-wear collections. Launched in 2019, With Harper Lu infuses modern staples with intoxicating colours and fabrics. Here is a behind the scenes look at a little bit about Lucia and Cathie, their journey in creating the brand and the milestones they’ve reached...
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Why did you start your brand?
We had always redesigned Vintage garments and felt there was an opportunity in the market to create pieces that we were passionate about. Beautiful prints and fabrics are at the core of our creative enthusiasm. This has evolved into not just beautiful bespoke prints but flattering staple pieces that work for all seasons. We create pieces we personally love to wear that are comfortable and flattering.
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What were you doing prior to With Harper Lu?
Lucia - I was studying at RMIT doing Business Management and working part-time.
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Cathie - I was working in the corporate world, however I had worked in fashion retail years ago and my mum was a seamstress. She taught me about garment construction and creation.
Cathie - I was working in the corporate world, however I had worked in fashion retail years ago and my mum was a seamstress. She taught me about garment construction and creation.
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Is there a meaning behind the name With Harper Lu?
Harper - was a name we had always both loved, Lu - is short for Lucia, and With - represented our community coming on the journey with us
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Biggest brand milestone
We always love to see customers every day posting photos and styling their pieces. Being invited into two editions of Marie Claire Australia was also super exciting. Moving into our own Office space as the brand has grown so quickly was a big milestone and now we are sourcing an even bigger space as we have grown so much over the last 12 months. Our first Collaboration Collection with By Poppy is coming up and that is also a big milestone for our brand.
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Typical day in your life
We never have a typical day. Basically we always meet with our extended team, most of whom work remotely, to set up the day or week. We always have administrative work to complete and there is always so much decision-making. That includes anything from order quantities, fabric usage, and working with all our Melbourne-based manufacturing teams. We also set aside quiet time for the creative side of our business. We have decided we need to set aside time for a midday walk outside. In three years, we still haven't managed to do this!
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Where does your brand inspiration come from?
We are inspired by everything. Obviously florals have been a bit part of our creative element, however, we plan to evolve into more abstract designs. We love the colors of nature ie. sunrise colors, sunset colors, the colors of the ocean etc. We are also inspired by pieces that we are trying to source ourselves to wear but can't find... So we make them!
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Who is your style icon?
Lucia - Elsa Hosk, Dua Lipa & Devon Lee Carlson
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Cathie - Elsa Hosk, Audrey Hepburn & Kate Moss
Cathie - Elsa Hosk, Audrey Hepburn & Kate Moss
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A quote you live by
Everything happens for a reason!
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Favourite piece you've released
Lucia - Either the new Riviera Slip Dress or our staple White Mini Skirt
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Cathie - The Black Lily Floral Maxi - however, the new colorway is amazing !!!
Cathie - The Black Lily Floral Maxi - however, the new colorway is amazing !!!
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Advice to someone starting their own business
Nothing happens overnight, be true to your own style and be original
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