Introducing... The Cassava

The Cassava dress is one of the standout new styles for the 'Harvest' collection. 

Our 'Rococco' rayon fabric is spliced with colours in the same rayon or with a printed silk cotton in a choice of colour. A light layering piece, it's transeasonal, so nice for the coming months but a style that you can wear now also.

What to wear with the Cassava ?

Have one of our dress styles from the 'Epidermal Layers', brilliant, simply slip the Cassava on over this. Try an Obsidian dress for example, as shown in the far right picture above. A Greta dress would be great too (see our slips & dresses section for more ideas). Those who prefer separates, put on your Eva tee with a pair of Sunshine 7/8 pants. Another option is the Eva dress. It will give you the look of the dress layer but have sleeves all in the one garment.

Sketch by Melinda FelderColour options ?

In keeping with this months 'Aubergine' story, the Cassava dress is featured in 'thistle' and spliced with soft tones of silver and a dark charcoal we call 'pitch'. Two silver versions have a choice of the stunning printed silk cotton panel in blue (middle) or wine (right). The blue version is complimented with our ink bamboo, while the wine will work for those liking the charcoal in our sustainable bamboo jersey. Of course black will look stunning, and we do have an all black Cassava dress available that we have not shown here (contact us for further info).

Caring for my Cassava ?

Another nice thing about this style is that they have all been prewashed for you in our harvested rainwater. Getting some big eco points here !

The major reason for doing this though is customers know what size it will be the first time you wash it. By prewashing it in cold water the style is at its smallest size already, and if you avoid steam and use a dry iron, it will maintain a consistent size.

Where to buy ?

Best Rant stockists to find the Cassava include Origen at South Melbourne VIC, Elevated in Darwin NT, Green Tangerine at Paddington QLD and later this month at Pink on White Walls in Graceville QLD. New stockists to check out are La Baba in Main Beach QLD, Bella Cee at West End QLD and Anita L at Kew East VIC.

Need any help ?

Use our contact form on the blog or website or give us a call. We are always happy to help.

- Jason

Rant studio update...

January is traditionally a busy time for us here at Rant.

As I type, Sarah is down in Melbourne doing showings, while Mel and I are working on production for the new Autumn collection that will be out at the start of February.

I picked up the first of the new collection from our sewers last week, including new stock for the most popular styles from our Epidermal Layers range, such as the Thea skirt.

It's now time to get all those styles checked, tagged and then divide the orders for our stockists.

The new collection is called 'Harvest', which may not come as a surprise to people who have seen the Rant Tumblr page in recent months. We started some raised garden beds soon after photographing the 'Harvest' collection and been posting some pics of the vegetables we have been harvesting from them (yes we like to immerse ourselves fully in each collection's theme !). All the pictures for this story are from our garden.

Heirloom silverbeet and 'Fairytale' eggplants

Epic harvest of chilli

We will post more detail on 'Harvest' here on our blog soon, with the new collection divided into three stories, one for each month from February to April.

The current collection page for the Rant website will get a makeover for 'Harvest' too. If you haven't already, then you will be the first to know when the new collection goes live by signing up to our monthly newsletter here...

Last (but certainly not least) we would like to round out the start to 2012 with a big thankyou to our customers. A few of you in particular have been putting in a good word for us at your favourite local boutiques, as we have been contacted by potential new stockists as a result. This is very much appreciated and a nice demonstration of people power. So keep the comments about Rant here on our blog and to your favourite boutiques going, as it certainly is having an effect.

- Jason

Introducing the Florence

For the devoted Rant customers, you may recognise the shape. The delightfully flattering 'Florence' is now part of our 'Epidermal Layers' and available online now.

Cut in both a top and tunic length, the 'Florence' has a wonderful flared shape that drapes out from under the bust to a semi circle and floats around the body. It really showcases the drape of our sustainable bamboo jersey and we have produced the two lengths in an array of colours. This includes our light blue 'sky' colour and deeper blue we call 'steel' that have been introduced for 'Blue Skies Ahead'.

It's a nice start to the new look of the 'Epidermal Layers' store, having been busy photographing and uploading over the last week.

The Florence is a great piece as it can be layered with other 'Epidermal Layers' to give a nice effect also.

Happy ranting - Jason

Hot in Stores this Week.... The Blue Skies story from Rant

As the name suggests, the Blue Skies story from Rant is all about fabulous floaty garments and features blue tones throughout.  The rolling summer collection signifies a sense of optimism ahead. 

The story brings together all of Rant’s tried and tested fabrics, such as bamboo jersey, double layer cotton and silk blends – all perfect summer-weather textiles. In particular, watch out for the specially dyed bamboo jersey in steel blue and sky blue – signature colours of the Blue Skies story. They also are made in selected styles in our 'Epidermal Layers' as well as the Radiant dress from the Rant collection.

We've also developed several styles in double layer cotton throughout the Blue Skies collection. Double layer cotton construction allows the garments to be light to wear without being transparent.

Alice in Wonderland:

Also in cotton is the Alice slip (left pic) and top. These styles have lovely back details with double ties so you can adjust the garment to fit your style and mood. Alice also has metal strap adjusters making it a style that can easily be customised to fit most body shapes.

Magical Days Ahead:

Soak up those gorgeous, floaty summer days in the Levitate dress. With considered construction, Levitate has a cotton double layer skirt paired with a cotton spandex top that is actually joined to the skirt. True to the Rant ethos of working double time, it can be worn over the bust as a dress or folded down on the hips as a skirt. (right pic)

Botany Pant Lives Again:

The last featured double cotton style is a trusted fav of Rant customers.....The Botany Pant. What makes Botany so special is the easy, elastic-waist, pull on pant that has a wider 3/4 leg length incorporating a hem panel with a split at the side. (shown here in black)

Check back for more blogs also this week to show the other styles in our latest range – the must have styles to make dressing easier & more comfortable!

A Rant About Bamboo

Rant has been using a great fabric that is made from Bamboo that we wanted people to know a bit more about.

We have our Bamboo jersey milled up right here in Australia (yes there are a few mills still left !) and the fibre is spun in a way that makes it low-pilling, so it performs extremely well and can be washed and worn over and over. This is really the big difference with other bamboo fabrics we have tested, with cheaper imported fabrics pilling after one wear.

Our Bamboo jersey has a lovely drape and soft feel, being extremely gentle on your skin by allowing it to naturally breathe. Bamboo has many great properties, considered one of the most sustainable crops because it grows rapidly and without pesticides, having natural antibacterial properties.