Chelsey Wayte

Working with Perth Fashion Festival (PFF) to help promote local emerging designers, Chelsey Wayte has every Perth fashionistas’ dream job. As project manager of Hatch, a store that only stocks Western Australian designers, and an initiative by PFF and Carillon City, she is helping bring these young creatives to the attention of inner-city shoppers.

Opened in December last year in the Carillon City mall, the boutique has a minimal recycled aesthetic. Wayte worked with a group of third-year architecture students to undertake the fit-out. “We set it as a challenge to see what we could achieve on a minimal budget, given that PFF is not for profit and there wasn’t a lot of funding,” says Wayte. “It was a collaborative effort, and also fit with the local focus of the project.”

The labels in Hatch vary from commercial to the more daring, catering to a diverse clientele. They include Zhivago, One Fell Swoop, Catini, Zsadar, Bhalo, Sewellery, Generics, Martini + Coz, Alister Yiap, Steph Audino, The Butcher & The Crow and Tindale.

For Wayte, it’s an inspiration to work with creatives in a tough industry. “Being involved in both Hatch and PFF, it’s good to be able to do something for local designers beyond offering them a runway show, offering them some kind of financial leg up,” she says.

Hatch also showcases the work of local artists and, from May 9, there’ll be an exhibition of Cherish Marrington’s Dancer’s in a Barbarian WIlderness works.

Q&A
How would you describe WA style?
I do think Perth people are good at taking a risk, maybe because Perth is quite isolated. I think there’s a lot of focus on individualism. People are quite laid back so you have that lifestyle dressing. Flannel, Morrison and Empire Rose are good examples of that. There’s also another contingent of up and coming designers who are heavily influenced by European and Japanese designers. You can see a lot of structured pieces.
Which WA designers are you wearing right?
Tindale is one that I love to wear, and One Fell Swoop, The Butcher & the Crow. They’ll all Hatch labels, but that’s a coincidence!
How would you describe your own style?
I’m pretty minimal and contemporary. I do wear a lot of Western Australian and Australian labels. Pretty much everything in my wardrobe is Australian. Most people that know me will say I only ever wear black! I like simple clothes that I can wear from day to night.
What is the most extravagant item in your wardrobe?
A long grey leather trench coat with fur collar and cuffs from the 1940s. It belonged to my grandmother. It’s just beautiful. My most treasured pieces come from my grandmother.
What do you consider the greatest fashion faux pas?
I think when people show too much; it’s always best to leave something to the imagination. And too-tight clothing. If you’re wearing something tight on the bottom, wear something loose on top and vice versa. And taking any fad or trend too far, like head-to-toe 90s. And I hate scrunchies!
Your favourite Perth after-dark hang?
I really enjoy going to La Cholita for a bite to eat. Also, Clarences. Usually I go out in Mt Lawley because I live there.

Hatch
Shop 55 Carillon City, Hay St, Perth. T:9226 0209

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