about me and my work

about me

The Sustainable Stylist is an holistic design practice based in Melbourne, specialising in personalised fashion and interior design solutions. We work across a mix of industry sectors and design disciplines, adapting creative thinking to varied budgets, with projects varying from refashioning wardrobes to fitting out eco conference centres — and everything in between.

kim kneipp

My name is Kim Kneipp. I’m a sustainable designer, personal stylist and workshop facilitator. l work in Melbourne, Australia and am known as the Frockerphiliac.

Reconstructing clothing and rearranging interiors appeals to me on aesthetic, environmental and ethical levels. I love the sense of adding new life to old, staid items; I revel in the trawl of op-shop, wardrobe and market stalls; I sleep better at night knowing I’m doing my small bit in reducing quality clothing and objects ending up as landfill and I love validating and rejuvenating old keepsakes and purchases.

Hailing from the tropical north of Australia, I studied fashion design in Sydney before embarking on a frock career in Melbourne, where amongst other things, I developed product for the major department chains; was a freelance designer for independent labels, and then collaborated with Melbourne’s iconic Fat stores to launch their first in-house label – Prince Billy. In 2004 I moved to Quebec, then Montreal, where I developed a series of clothing deconstruction workshops, working with art schools and mental health organisations.

Together with my 5-year old son, Felix, I am exploring how to live a simple and sustainable life – no TV, home-grown vegies, composting, recycling, up-cycling, buying from local markets, using little packaging…all that good stuff!

As a self-confessed op-shop and market junky, I am exploring the design challenge of looking stylish without relying on spending any money to get a retail fix or achieve a new look (which includes not being able to buy any pre-loved clothes!).

Oh, I’m also trying to not wear so much black.

jen brownscombe (extraordinaire)

Welcome to the team Jen – mug short and life story coming soon!

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Read about my sustainable style quest