Brands like KIVARI: eight Australian labels to shop at Luxury Shoes

KIVARI sits in a crowded and very good corner of fashion: Australian labels that make dresses for heat. If you like its linen maxis and lace separates, these are the eight labels Luxury Handbags stocks alongside it, with a note on where each one sits on price and mood. All of them are live on Luxury Handbags and all of them cut to Australian sizing, which reads one to one against UK sizing.

Zimmermann

The benchmark. Nicky and Simone Zimmermann started in Sydney in 1991 and built the global reference for printed, ruffled resort dressing. Zimmermann is the label KIVARI is most often compared with, and the honest difference is price: a Zimmermann linen dress costs roughly twice a KIVARI one. Shop the Zimmermann collection when the occasion justifies it.

Aje

Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest founded Aje in 2008. It is more sculptural than KIVARI, with big sleeves, cut-outs and a lot of linen, and it prices close to KIVARI on separates and a little above on dresses. The two share a customer almost exactly. Aje at Luxury Shoes .

Sir the Label

Sophie Coote and Nikki Campbell launched Sir in 2014, the same year as KIVARI, and the labels rhyme: pared-back linen, cotton and silk, natural shades, long lines. Sir is quieter and a touch more minimal, KIVARI more bohemian. Sir the Label at Luxury Shoes .

Alemais

Lesleigh Jermanus founded Alemais in 2020 and it is the maximalist of the group, hand-drawn prints and embroidery on linen and cotton. Go here when a KIVARI dress feels too plain. Alemais at Luxury Shoes .

Acler

Kathryn Forth and Julia Ritorto started Acler in Adelaide in 2015. It is the tailored one, with draped and structured dresses for events rather than the beach, and it prices above KIVARI. Acler at Luxury Shoes .

Rebecca Vallance

Rebecca Vallance is Sydney eveningwear, launched in 2011, and the label to reach for when the wedding is black tie rather than barefoot. Expect crepe, lace and sequins at a higher price than KIVARI. Rebecca Vallance at Luxury Shoes .

Rachel Gilbert

Another Sydney eveningwear house, embellished gowns and cocktail dresses. Rachel Gilbert is where a KIVARI customer goes for the one dressed-up night of the trip. Rachel Gilbert at Luxury Shoes .

Romance Was Born

Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales founded Romance Was Born in Sydney in 2005 and it is the art-school answer to all of the above, prints, sequins and collaboration pieces. Not a substitute for KIVARI, but the same wardrobe often holds both. Romance Was Born at Luxury Shoes .

Where KIVARI wins

On price for natural fibres, and on the families. Nobody else in this list sells a lace shirt, pant, halter and jumpsuit in one cloth at under $500 a piece. Start with the KIVARI brand page, read who is KIVARI if the label is new to you, and check the size guide before you order, because every label here shares the Australian ladder.