Q+A: GOOSEBUMPS CLOTHING | HANDMADE FLOWER GIRL DRESSES AUSTRALIA

HANDMADE BOHO FLOWER GIRL DRESSES AUSTRALIA

'As a child, I used old dresses, table clothes or even curtains to piece together on my Mothers' old Singer sewing machine on the dining table' Tracy - GOOSEBUMPS CLOTHING

When Tracy Verboom, founder of Goosebumps Clothing, began asking her Mum if she could cut up the dining room tablecloth so she could make outfits for her friend, she knew design was always going to be her calling in life. Now, with her own Maternity & Children's Wear label, Tracy enjoys combining her love for design with taking the stress out of finding beautiful and affordable Vintage inspired flower girl dresses.

Apart from designing my own clothes as a child & having fun with my Mother's fabrics, I started designing straight after school with a few fashion houses on the Gold Coast. Not long after that, I wanted to share my own flare and style so I ventured out on my own and created Kunnuk Kids together with my sister Manon when I was in my early 20's. This was funky colourful children's wear.

Young at heart, I yearned to be adventurous and decided to put hobby label on the back burner to travel the world. I packed up my fabrics and sewing machine and off I went like a gypsy! I loved exploring unique countries and villages, meeting the locals and seeing how they lived. For me, learning their culture, feeling inspired by all the colour and design around me was very fulfilling.

I met and married my beautiful husband overseas and we decided to return to Australia in 2005 & Goosebumps Clothing was created when our children came along. As a shy breastfeeder, I noticed a gap for stylish ladies maternity wear so I designed and still do, unique, discrete maternity and nursing wear. It was from getting goosebumps every time I thought about my new venture that the name of by design business was an easy choice! It wasn't long my Maternity collections taking off, laptop on kitchen bench and a dining table covered in fabrics & my sewing machine, I launched my vintage inspired children's wear.

At a very early age I used to dream of designs in my deepest sleep. I used to wake up early in the morning before school and sketch them before I forgot every little detail. By high school I had a collection of fun designs all in my special note book. I remember I used to get hold of, as I mentioned, anything my mum would allow me to cut up! My designs are very different now that I am older and there is a very unique niche that I totally adore, it has a Bohemian and vintage flare.

Goosebumps Clothing HQ takes away some of the stress of preparing for the big day by offering advice and a service that gives them assurance and confidence in my flower girl dress designs. We offer a variety of styles, colour and sizes to suit all shapes and sizes for their flower girls and junior bridesmaids. We also have matching accessories such as cardigans, clips, headbands and sashes to gorgeous pearl sandals to compliment any dress.

I love soft lace and the vintage look. So in combining these together, I design easy to wear clothes at affordable prices. The free spirit feeling is transposed into soft flowing dresses and matching accessories for the one stop shop. Every little girls loves to feel like a princess and we want them to feel special too on this important day.

I remember my daughter coming to me and asking if she could wear one of her “better dresses” that was given to her as a birthday gift. I sat there and thought, my gosh they grow so fast and she will only get a few more months out of that expensive dress.... my answer was YES. And so for my range I offer, as beautiful as they are they can be for all occasions, big events or just causal and not cost the earth. Every little girl loves to dress up and feel like a princess, and now they can, every day!

My favourite style is always changing but at this moment - the Ngaire Dress would be my fave. Layers of fabric detailed with a scalloped crocheted trim with a cute low back which is cool and perfect for our summer weddings. If your wedding is heading towards our cooler months we have the sweet Kate Cardi that matches perfectly with this dress.