Double Rainbouu duo Mikey Nolan and Toby Jones liken their partnership in design to a marriage. “We do finish one another’s sentences. We bicker, but we get on pretty well and we know each other pretty well.”

In 2016 after a decade of working together, Nolan and Jones set out on a new venture – a fashion label based on simplicity with a bold sensibility. Directed at those sand-swept, salt water lovers of Australia, the design duo made a distinctive splash with their reimagining of the humble Hawaiian shirt. From this single piece to taking to the world stage – the brand showed at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia and Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence – Double Rainbouu has garnered a world-wide fanbase with it’s busy, psychedelic printed staple contrasting Australia’s slow-paced lifestyle.

While in previous years the Hawaiian shirt was less than desirable to the high fashion set, it has come to define the summer uniform. Drawing design cues from an ‘80s, Cali-inspired runway revisit, the holiday look has assimilated into everyday practicality and style. “It feels good. We were quite early with that design direction and I get a bit baffled that you still see Prada and major design houses sending printed collars down the runway now. I think there’s life in them for sure”, Nolan told GRAZIA.

Now, with its fanbase firmly planted in the sand, the Australian-based label is venturing into an extensive line of contemporary offerings. From more refined dresses to essential loungewear, the duo are looking to create “plainer” pieces. But don’t expect them to stray too far from their quintessential resort wear any time soon. 

To experience the label first-hand, Double Rainbouu will show its in-store pieces on the Australian stage when they take to the GRAZIA and ICON runway at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival 2019 on March 9. Get your tickets below. 

SEE GRAZIA + ICON’s RUNWAY SHOW:

WHAT: Runway 7 presented by GRAZIA + ICON (supported by Schwarzkopf at Priceline Pharmacy)

DESIGNERS: Ten Pieces, P.E. Nation, Client Liason, Double Rainbouu, Sister, Handsom and Limb styled by Peter Simon Phillips, visuals by Spencer not Spencer, music by Jonny Seymour.

WHERE: Showroom 1, Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

WHEN: 8:30-9:15pm, Saturday 9 March, 2019

BUY TICKETS: HERE

Show tickets include entry to the official Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival after party, presented by GRAZIA and ICON at Bond Nightclub, Saturday 9th March from 9.30pm.