Sep 18, 2023

The Launch Of Spring '23

by Once Was

As the cold winds of winter finally gave way to the gentle caress of spring, we at OnceWas knew it was time for something special.

And so, we welcomed the season of renewal and rebirth in style with our Spring '23 Launch Event, a delightful luncheon held at The Terrace, nestled within Melbourne's iconic Botanical Gardens. It was a celebration of not just fashion but also of nature's awakening beauty, making it the perfect setting to unveil our latest collection, Mystic Mayan.

From flowing dresses that captured the essence of Mayan craftsmanship to sharply tailored pieces in earthy tones, our collection left everyone in awe. Our guests were transported to a world of intricate patterns, vivid colours, and timeless elegance.
Our Spring '23 collection, Mystic Mayan, was inspired by the fascinating ancient Central American civilization and the vibrant culture of the contemporary regions of southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Drawing inspiration from the bold prints and earthy tones that define this rich heritage, Mystic Mayan seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, offering a unique fashion experience that transcends time.

The event was hosted by award-winning television presenter and journalist, Emma Vosti, who lent her charisma and style as our host for the event. Her captivating presence set the stage for a memorable luncheon. But what truly made our event special was the gathering of our loyal celebrities and influential supporters.
Guests were treated to view all capsules from the Spring range followed by a delectable luncheon, highlighting the best of local cuisine. The delicious food and wine, combined with the picturesque setting, added an extra layer of delight to the event.

Our Spring '23 Launch Event was more than just a launch; it was a celebration of our commitment to inclusivity. We heard your requests loud and clear! We were absolutely thrilled to share that we are expanding our range to include selected styles in Size 6 (Aus 18/20). This expansion is a testament to our ongoing dedication to catering to a multitude body types and designing pieces that help make women feel comfortable, confident, unique & special. We believe that fashion should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and that well designed garments are able to flatter a variety of shapes. This is just one step on our journey towards making that a reality.
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Director & Head Designer Belinda Glynn noted "I love seeing my designs come to life on real women & it was a treat to see the different ways our guests styled their favourite looks to suit their body shape & hear what they loved about their pieces. I always consider our customer feedback in my design process & this informed our decision to add size 6's to our size offering. With a great reaction already, this will no doubt be first of many size variations we will be looking to offer."

As we bid farewell to the chill of winter and welcomed the warmth of spring, our Spring '23 Launch Event was a day to remember. Fashion, culture, and community, all set against the backdrop of Melbourne's breathtaking Botanical Gardens. With Mystic Mayan, we embark on a new journey, celebrating the beauty of tradition and the promise of a sustainable future in fashion.

Mystic Mayan is now available from our eboutique or stockists nationwide. Thank you to all who joined us in making this event truly magical. Here's to a vibrant and stylish spring season ahead! OW x

Left to right: Violeta Zuvela wearing the Granada Linen Viscose Blazer + Flores Linen Viscose Flared Pants, Adi Cass wearing the Harmony Linen Viscose Skirt & Flores Cotton Embroidered Shirt, Sarah Elyss wearing the Antigua Linen Viscose Dress, Neha Walia wearing the Castillo Viscose Midi Dress.

Left to right: Jane Scandizzo wearing the Aztec Cotton Silk Top & Tulum Tencel Press Stud Jogger, close-up detail of the Tulum Tencel Press Stud Jogger, Amanda Morely wearing the Granada Linen Viscose Blazer & Tulum Tencel Press Stud Jogger, Adi Cass wearing the Harmony Linen Viscose Skirt & Flores Cotton Embroidered Shirt.

Elly P wearing the Flores Cotton Silk Shirt & Jolie Cotton Silk Maxi Skirt, close-up of the Flores Cotton Embroidered Shirt & Antigua Cotton Silk Self-Check Maxi Skirt, Belinda Glynn wearing the Antigua Cotton Silk Self-Check Shirt & Antigua Cotton Silk Self-Check Maxi Skirt. Christina Coco wearing the Flores Cotton Embroidered Shirt & Antigua Cotton Silk Self-Check Maxi Skirt.

Left to right: Hannah McKimm wearing the Tulum Cotton Silk Shirt & Panama Linen Viscose Wide Leg Pant, close-up of the Panama Linen Viscose Maxi Dress, close-up of the Tulum Cotton Silk Shirt & Panama Linen Viscose Wide Leg Pant, Jen Juthamat wearing the Panama Linen Viscose Maxi Dress.

Left to right: Emma Vosti wearing the Panama Linen Viscose Tie Detail Blazer & Panama Linen Viscose Wide Leg Pant, Monique Peeler wearing the Antigua Linen Viscose Dress, Ruchi Page wearing the Coba Linen 3/4 Sleeve Double Split Midi Dress, Lisa Davenport wearing the Laguna Cotton Silk Shirt & Panama Linen Viscose Wide Leg Pant.

Left to right: Erica Jade wearing the Laguna Cotton Silk Shirt & Panama Linen Viscose Wide Leg Pant, Shathie Nkoni wearing the Panama Linen Viscose Tie Detail Blazer & Panama Linen Viscose Wide Leg Pant.

Left to right: Rachel Watts wearing the Granada Peplum Blazer & Grace Linen Pant in Jungle Tropico (coming soon) & Bianca O’Neill wearing the Panama Viscose Maxi in Fiesta Tropico (coming soon).