Cambodia to Caboolture to the Catwalk

Content Magazine | September 2014

Julie Schrag began her label La’Or through her business ‘Collections of Cambodia’ as part of an ongoing support network restoring lives to young girls in Cambodia. After exporting Khmer silk to Australia for 5 years, Julie embarked on a project with traditional weaving centres and experimented with dye techniques. La’Or was born and successfully launched in 2011 at the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival, with successful shows since in Australia and at Cambodian Fashion Week.

In her younger years, Julie studied Architecture and Interior Design which was to shape her life for over 30 years within the building industry. This is where she developed a passion for design, structure and colour.

“So I suppose Fashion Design is an extension of that as I have no formal training in fashion. Fashion design was probably the furthest thing from my mind over past years. Fashion has been part of a change in life interests and reinvention during mature age. I am Australian born and have been a regular traveller to Cambodia for over 10 years,” said Julie of her connection to Cambodia.

Based in the Queensland suburb of Caboolture, Julie has a retail space in Cambodia and spends a great deal of her time there.

Made and sourced totally in Cambodia, La’Or represents ethical fashion with designs based on simplicity and elegance. La’Or encompasses daywear, cocktail, evening and bridal couture predominantly of Khmer silk with the use of beautiful lace to add texture and allure. La’Or fabrics include one-off silk pieces, hand-loomed and hand-dyed in Cambodia making garments unique.

La’Or will be showing at the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival for the third time on October 25, at Palmer Coolum Resort.

For more information of the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival click on the link here: www.internationalfashionweek.com.au

La’Or is available online in Australia at www.laorfashions.com