INTERVIEW with Natalie Hamblin Couture || Island Haus Runway 2026 Designer
SD: Hi, Natalie. For my readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself again?
NH: I’m Natalie Hamblin, founder and designer of Natalie Hamblin Couture. I’m a Brisbane-based couture designer with a passion for creating highly individual, sculptural garments that sit somewhere between fashion, art and storytelling.
My work is driven by the belief that clothing can be much more than something we simply wear. Each piece is designed to create an experience — to empower the wearer, spark conversation and take people on a journey. Sustainability is also at the heart of my practice, with discarded and repurposed materials often transformed into unexpected couture. Couture with purpose.
SD: What challenges did you face when you started your own label, and what advice would you give young aspiring designers?
NH: Starting an independent label comes with many challenges — from the financial and business side of fashion.
My biggest advice to emerging designers is to stay true to your vision. Don’t be afraid to be different. Fashion needs individuality, imagination and people who are prepared to challenge the conventional.
Learn the business side, surround yourself with good people and never stop experimenting. Most importantly, don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Your uniqueness is your greatest asset.
SD: Does art in all its forms play a major part in your life?
NH: Absolutely. Art is fundamental to how I see the world and therefore to how I design. I draw inspiration from everything — sculpture, music, theatre, film, architecture, nature and even discarded everyday objects.
I love the freedom of art because there are no rules. My garments often begin with an idea, emotion or story rather than a traditional fashion trend. I want each creation to feel like a piece of wearable art.
SD: How do you select the materials that are used in the clothes?
NH: The material often finds me before I find it. I’m fascinated by objects and materials that have been overlooked, discarded or considered to have no further purpose.
I work extensively with repurposed and unconventional materials, transforming waste into couture. I consider the texture, structure, movement and possibilities of a material, and then allow that to influence the design.
For me, sustainability isn’t about compromising creativity — it’s about challenging myself to create something extraordinary from what already exists.
SD: What are your plans for the future, and what can we expect in the coming years?
NH: I want to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable couture and developing Natalie Hamblin Couture into a label recognised for its bold creativity, craftsmanship and storytelling.
I’m particularly interested in creating more collaborations across fashion, art and sustainability, while continuing to showcase Australian design on larger platforms.
Ultimately, I want my work to leave a legacy — not only through the garments themselves, but through the conversations they create about creativity, consumption and the world we leave behind.
SD: Without giving too much detail away, what should we expect from your collection for Island Haus Runway?
NH: I don’t want to give too much away just yet! What I can say is that the collection will be unmistakably Natalie Hamblin Couture — bold, theatrical, feminine and glamorous, with an unexpected edge.
Expect sculptural silhouettes, unconventional materials and pieces designed to make an entrance. There will be storytelling woven throughout the collection, with sustainability continuing to play an important role.
My garments are designed to feel like an experience. I want the audience to look twice, ask questions and leave wondering how the pieces were created.
I’m incredibly excited to bring this collection to Island Haus Runway and reveal the story behind it on the runway.
Tickets are selling out fast. See Natalie Hamblin Couture on the runway and buy your tickets HERE
Island Haus Runway:
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Natalie Hamblin Couture:
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Photo Credits:
First Photo: Model Shantavia Davy; Photo taken by Azar Image
Second Photo: Model Awel Nhial; Photo taken by Azar Image
