When it comes to defining the Australian style, there’s no one size that fits all. With the likes of Dion Lee, Camilla & Marc, Christopher Esber and Zimmermann offering unique and sophisticated designs for a global audience, the country has long outgrown its reputation for being the go-to only for bathing suits and beachwear. The same can be said for Australian accessories labels. While heritage brands such as Oroton – which has recently undergone a revamp under creative director Sophie Holt – and shoemaker R.M. Williams have long been mainstays, there is a group of up-and-coming designers offering fresh, covetable accessories that manage to convey the laid-back Australian lifestyle while appealing to women all around the world. Rylan Studio If you’re in the market for a chic, understated handbag, then Rylan Studio – founded by Australian fashion influencer Brooke Testoni – might be just the ticket. Testoni launched the brand in 2017 because she couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for from other companies. “I have always loved classic, understated, beautiful handbags which aren’t logo dominated or too engineered. In 2016, it was quite hard to find bags that had all of these qualities. I always found myself liking vintage bags over new – it was then that I saw a gap in the market,” she says. The brand started with just two designs, the large satchel and the small bag, both of which are still staples. “These designs were inspired by bags my grandma carried – I just modernised them for the women of today. From there, I have ventured into more colour ways, leather textures and now the new mini satchel and shoulder bag,” says Testoni. “The Rylan woman is fashionable yet understated. She follows fashion but doesn’t necessarily have to wear items with obvious logos. She is professional, confident and always effortlessly put together. We find our customer base ranges from 20 to 45 years old,” says Testoni of her brand’s clientele. Rylan Studio has gained global traction in a relatively short amount of time, and is stocked in places such as Harvey Nichols in London in Britain and Galeries Lafayette Shanghai in China, as well as online at Farfetch and Moda Operandi . Testoni believes its global appeal is down to the timelessness of the designs. “I have tried to create a brand that exists beyond the hype of a short-term trend. I advocate the investment in classic and enduring pieces, which a lot of women from around the world are drawn to. My vision is to be able to pass my handbags down from generation to generation,” she says. By Far The past few seasons you could barely move before bumping into a stylish woman swinging one of By Far’s 90s-inspired Rachel baguette bags (named after Rachel Green from US TV show Friends ) or wearing a pair of its barely-there two-strap Tanya Sandals. Both styles are hits with celebrities, worn by the likes of Kendall Jenner, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Priyanka Chopra and more. While technically a European brand, By Far’s creative director, Denitsa Bumbarova, is based in Australia. Co-founded by Bumbarova and twin sisters Sabrina Bezuhanova and Valentina Gyosheva, By Far blends Bulgarian traditions with a vintage-made-cool twist. View this post on Instagram #kendalljenner and her RACHEL bag Getty Images A post shared by BY FAR (@byfar_official) on Apr 11, 2020 at 4:05am PDT Gyosheva says the label was popular from the first week it launched. “We were recognised by the accessories editor of British Vogue , Naomi Smart. I remember she commented that she’s in love with the whole collection. In the same month, we had three British Vogue features and we were recognised as its favourite new accessory brand. It’s very surreal to see all those phenomenal women truly loving their By Far pieces,” she says. “We felt like the industry needed accessories that are desirable, yet not overpowering, without sacrificing quality.” As for what’s next, Gyosheva promises something “really special” is in the works but that it’s too soon to say. “Expect something big and amazing from us,” she teases. Creating consciously: five down under jewellers worth a look Mara & Mine Australian shoe brand Mara & Mine gained cult status when model and actor Cara Delevingne was spotted wearing a pair of its skull-embroidered, handmade suede slippers back in 2013. Since then, the brand has been worn by a roll call of “it girls” such as actress Margot Robbie, model and actress Phoebe Tonkin and model Kendall Jenner. The brand has since expanded well beyond those first bestselling slip-on shoes. Tamie Ingham, co-founder of Mara & Mine alongside designer Jasmine Stefanovic, says the brand has stayed true to its cool yet practical beginnings throughout this expansion. “Mara & Mine has slowly evolved to broaden our offerings from flat footwear to kitten heels while still remaining true to our aesthetic of practical footwear – a fashionable statement that’s classic with a modern twist,” she says. Ingham says they will continue to add new categories and to rethink the way they package their products. “We will continue to broaden our offerings, keeping our customers up to date with current trends but with our core products that customers come to us for. We plan to offer customised and personalised slippers and mules. We are also looking to make the change to sustainable packaging,” she says. A highlight for the brand? Its “steady international growth”, Ingham says. St. Agni As we can’t actually really travel anywhere yet, if you fancy feeling those holiday vibes at home, one way to do so is to slip into a piece from Byron Bay label St. Agni. The brand has expanded into easy-to-wear separates in lovely, breathable fabrics, but it’s particularly known for its handmade shoes and accessories in woven leather. “The brand has naturally evolved since its inception five years ago. Beginning as an accessories brand, we have developed our footwear and apparel range. Once, our categories were kept separate but now our collections are all-encompassing – pairing footwear, accessories and clothing for a complete head-to-toe outfit,” says co-founder Lara Fells, who started the brand with her husband, Matt. Fells says one of the key developments for the brand is its journey towards environmental consciousness. “We have always invested in handmade, artisan pieces but as we grow we are continuing this journey with naturally sourced materials and environmental packaging,” she says. Fells says the woman they’re designing for like beautiful things and treasure them forever. “We design our pieces for the modern woman by reimagining vintage and timeless silhouettes. The St. Agni woman is a conscious consumer that prioritises quality over quantity and seeks out slow fashion and handmade products. At the core of our designs is minimalism. We redefine beauty in simplicity.”