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Caroline\u2019s design aesthetic is one of \u201ceffortless style\u201d and she describes her customer as a woman who is \u201csocially conscious, lives a quality lifestyle and is empowered by the success of those around her\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all so busy that we want to be able to pick something up and throw it on but throw it on with multiple items and if you can do that it\u2019s an instant wardrobe winner,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Caroline, who lives on the Surf Coast with her partner Ed Maxted and their adorable six-month-old daughter Clem, initially came to Australia on a one-year work visa but now happily calls this part of the world her home.<\/p>\n
Since moving here she has worked with iconic Aussie brands such as Witchery and Cotton On \u2013 experiences she says enriched her knowledge of the local customer and built confidence in the appeal of her own designs.<\/p>\n
Caroline also humbly lays claim to having designed Cotton On\u2019s bestselling knitwear piece, the \u201cArchie\u201d, which sold more than half a million units globally.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I learned at Cotton On \u2013 what the customer wanted and needed,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was where I really got to learn about the Australian market, what people really wanted and what they really wanted to wear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maxsted Clothing is stocked through The Iconic online, among others, and a recent pop-up store in Torquay proved a great success with Caroline relishing the opportunity to mingle with customers and take on board their feedback.<\/p>\n
Caroline says she has been heartened by how women have supported local brands such as her own, particularly since the pandemic.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople want to support local again. It\u2019s not that they didn\u2019t before but I think there is more urgency and understanding on why we are supporting local,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been so impressed that people are buying my merino wool collection and enjoying it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is really well priced \u2026 and the yarn comes from right here in Victoria which is wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n Caroline says her own personal favourite brands include Burberry, Vince, S\u00e9zane, Stella McCartney and Celine.<\/p>\n \u201cI just love any sort of design which feels like it has really been crafted together and has a certain heritage or a maturity to it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Of course, she hopes Maxted Clothing can enjoy longevity as a favourite with customers both close to her adopted home and further afield.<\/p>\n \u201cNext year the big goal for us is to have a New Zealand distributor, we are in talks and hopefully the Maxted brand will become well known across New Zealand in the near future,\u201d Caroline says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe other thing I\u2019m doing is a mini me collection for little ones which should be super cute too.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/Post2_89274-1-200x300.jpg\")