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Gemdaddyslim
GEMDADDYSLIM is the label of Gemma Bartholomew, an emerging Australian designer whose practice sits at the intersection of storytelling, emotional connection, and material experimentation. With Italian-British heritage and a Fashion and Textile Design degree from UTS, Gemma explores themes of nostalgia, sisterhood, and attachment through richly textured, tactile garments. Her work is process-driven, intuitively crafted from dead-stock fabrics, leather, and natural dyes. Inspired by her Nonna’s legacy as a seamstress, Gemma blends traditional craftsmanship with unconventional methods, creating garments meant to be worn, cherished, and passed down like heirlooms. Gemma’s journey began with clothing as storytelling, shaped by a family of makers and collectors. Since showcasing at the first-ever MODA Designer runway in 2024 and winning the Fashion Photography Prize at the iD Dunedin Awards in 2025, her label has continued to evolve, expanding its exploration of memory, materiality, and sustainability in fashion.
Meet the Designer
Gemma’s journey began with clothing as storytelling, shaped by a family of makers and collectors. Since showcasing at the first-ever MODA Designer runway in 2024 and winning the Fashion Photography Prize at the iD Dunedin Awards in 2025, her label has continued to evolve, expanding its exploration of memory, materiality, and sustainability in fashion.
Handle with Care
A love letter to her sisters, the collection began with a single object: a worn velvet handbag, pleated and appliquéd, heavy with memory. From this, Gemma Bartholomew built a world of nostalgia and emotional charge, crafting garments from dead-stock leather and cotton velvet, alongside silk mesh and natural dyes. Stencilled lace, sculptural silhouettes, and intricate leather work echo the chaos, glamour, and intimacy of growing up together. Every piece is as much about emotion as material — turning fragments of memory into lived-in, lasting garments.
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