Here we are, the end of the year fast approaching once again.  Leaving aside the fact that the year has flown by at 1,000km an hour, let's focus on the good news: summer is here again. How blessed we are to be in such a beautiful part of the world to enjoy it.

It's the season of beach barbecues, garden parties, celebrations and end-of-year festivities.  At the time of year where we like to dress our best from the Melbourne Cup lunch to the Christmas party, the question on everyones lips is 'What the hell am I going to wear?'

We will be taking you behind the scenes, finding out whats happening on the streets, at the festivals, and talking to local shop owners about what's in style this summer.  Stay tuned for five weeks of inspiration and style. By the end of this feature you will have your outfit planned and depending who you are a glass of bubbles or green juice in your hand.

We would also love to hear from you about your take on this summer's style. Just email onlineeditor[at]echo.net.au with the subject line style, include a picture if you like and you may see your face on our trendy page.

Don't forget to enter our competition for your chance to win two pairs of designer silk shorts. Click here to find out more details.

Enjoy!

Carla Zipper

Zacalu Zoo

Darren Coyne

Remember the days when clothing and toys were made to last? Remember back when the fabrics you wore suited the climate that you lived in?

The partners behind Zacalu Zoo do.

Christine Sonder and Chantal Wieseler knew that if they were going to get into retail, they wanted to sell nothing but quality products.

With an online store, an outlet at Kingscliff, and now a new shop at Bangalow, their decision to invest in quality is paying off.

Zacalu Zoo specialises in clothing made from natural fabrics and toys made the old-fashioned way.

‘We’re into selling “slow” toys,’ Ms Sonder said.

‘The type of toys that children use their imaginations with.

‘Computers are wonderful and a great source of information but this is about children enjoying slow time.’

The shops sell things such a puzzles, wooden toys, and things that children can build themselves such as forts and pirate ships.

The clothing, for kids and ladies, is all made from natural products such as linen and cotton, which are suited to the north coast climate.

‘There’s no plastic in our shops. It’s all wooden toys, craft supplies and interesting bits and pieces that you don’t find in regular stores,’ Ms Sonder said.

Zacalu Zoo began trading in Murwillumbah four years ago but relocated to Kingscliff’s Marine Parade after just a year.

As the store’s popularity grew, Ms Wieseler and Ms Sonder decided to branch out to Bangalow.

‘Bangalow is such a gorgeous place and we had both lived in that area for years,’ Ms Sonder said.

‘We opened the new store there at the beginning of August and it’s going very well.

‘My son Brett Sonder and his partner Sharyn King have also joined the business and we all take turns working in the different stores.'

As well as the children’s clothes and toys, Zacalu Zoo also specialises in comfortable clothing for women, again made from only natural fabrics
‘We do our own Zacalu brand, which is designed by me with fabrics sourced from America, as well as other leading Australian brands,’ she said.

‘In the kids' range we’ve got top Australian brands that include Paperwings from Mullumbimby, Rock the Baby and Munster Kids.

‘For the babies we stock the Alex and Ant brand.’

The Kingscliff store is located at Shop 2, 96A Marine Parade, while the Bangalow store can be found at 1A, 36 Byron Street. To visit the online store go to www.zacaluzoo.com.au. See the Zacalu Zoo profile page here.

Anna Middleton Boutique

Darren Coyne

It’s a long way from the coffee plantations of Papua New Guinea to Byron Bay, but Anna Middleton has made the journey with style.

She started out travelling Europe in her early 20s but eventually found her ‘home’ in Byron Bay, with husband Jim, 34 years ago, after a stint in the wilds of PNG.

‘We drove around for 6 months trying to find a nice place to live and eventually found the oldest house in Byron bay at Hayters Hill … we’re still together and love this area,’ she told Echonetdaily.

After settling in the Bay, and with a life-long passion for fashion, it was inevitable she would eventually open a shop. And she, did, 26 years ago, which would make hers one of the longest established fashion outlets in the Bay.

Since then, the Anna Middleton brand has become synonymous with style, with her clothing sourced from top designers around the world.

‘What I try to do is have different things and I only buy one of anything in each size,’ she said.

‘For many years I have had so much fun sourcing high end labels and internationally revered designs from around the globe and lots of exciting Australian labels for lower budgets, enabling the store to cater to everyone.

For many years the boutique has been sourcing unique pieces from designers from Spain, Paris, Italy, Germany and New Zealand, along with lots of local Australian labels for lower budgets.

The shop also features bags, belts, jewellery and shoes to compliment any outfit.

Mrs Middleton said the shop was a popular place for tourists, with many coming back year after year to buy the latest fashions.

She also has a strong local trade, catering to more mature women.

‘I love clothes and I’ve never been one to hang around in daggy tracksuit pants.

‘Our customers also love our clothes, which is why they keep coming back.

‘We have a huge repeat trade and my shop is like destination shopping.

Mrs Middleton first opened in the Byron arcade, then moved to the industrial estate because she began manufacturing linen garments, but settled in her current location over a decade ago.

‘I’ve been 11 years where I am now. Everyone has heard of me through the Irish linen shirts that I used to manufacture and market in Australia and overseas she said.

The shop is located at 27 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, in a building which once housed a soda drink factory.

Customers can also visit her website at www.annamiddleton.com.au to view the fashion range.

Mrs Middleton said anyone who was unable to visit the store contact the store after visiting the website and their purchases would be sent out. See the Anna Middleton profile page for more photos.

Fairy Floss

Darren Coyne

Nothing pleases Alex and Revital Lev more than seeing their creations being worn by people having fun on a festival dance floor or walking around town.

After 15 years trading in the competitive Byron Bay market, the pair has firmly established themselves as trendsetters with their store, Fairy Floss.

The store itself is more than just a clothing shop. It is like a gallery, capturing the magical and creative qualities of Byron Bay, with its unique range of clothing and accessories displayed with a loving attention to detail.

‘Ours is one of the longest standing shops in the Bay,’ Alex said.

‘We have been creating unique, original designs and styles for many years now and we strive to deliver good quality. ‘

‘As an underground fashion, our aim is to create unique, tribal and durable collections every season. As opposed to mainstream fashion, Fairy Floss and Pixie King garments are created to last, both in style and in quality.

‘People come in and say, “Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that before”, which is how Byron itself used to be before the chain stores moved in.’

Alex designs the men’s range and his partner Revital, who is a professional fashion designer, does the women and kids, and finishes off the entire collection.

‘The fabrics are mostly stretchy cottons that will flatter any form. We also use leather, lace, frills, prints, studs, cuts and special washes to create that time worn look.

‘Our inspiration is Mother Nature, the Byron lifestyle, the festivals around Australia, conscious living, and life itself.

‘The last five or six years have been influenced by Steampunk. Six year ago nobody thought that Steampunk would get so big but we were already influenced by it.

‘But our latest Summer collection is influenced by Naturepunk, which is a fusion of natural elements like feathers, bones, leaves, together with the punk style of things, which is the ribs, the cuts, the studs and the unfinished edges.’

‘Punk is also about taking something familiar or old, and transforming it to a new creation, to something that is on the edge of what we want to express.’

Alex said apart from the boutique shop in Byron Bay, he and Revital enjoyed setting up their stall at festivals like Woodford, Blues Fest, Rainbow Serpent, EarthFreq … mostly electronic but some organic festivals too.

‘It’s a nice way to get in touch with our clientele … the people who are wearing what we produce.

‘We have an online presence too, www.fairyflossbyronbay.com, for those traveling or overseas punters that are hooked on our style.

‘We’ve had a great feedback and support from the locals over the years and seeing Fairy Floss become a Byronian icon makes us very proud and grateful.

‘Especially now as Byron undergoes yet another change in the cooperative direction, and independent boutiques like ours find it harder to survive.

‘Being long time locals ourselves we wish to thank all our supporters for their ongoing support and kindness.

‘You are making it all possible.’

The Fairy Floss Byron Bay store is located at 6/52 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481. To visit the website go to www.fairyflossbyronbay.com. See the Fairy Floss profile page for more photos.