Alannah Hill facts for kids

Alannah Louise Hill (born in 1962) is a well-known Australian fashion designer. She has been very successful both in Australia and around the world. Alannah started her fashion journey in 1980 at a shop called Indigo Boutique in Chapel Street, South Yarra. In 1997, she teamed up with a company called Factory X to create her own brand, named Alannah Hill. In 2013, after a disagreement, Alannah and Factory X went their separate ways. Factory X still runs the Alannah Hill stores, but Alannah is no longer involved. In 2014, she launched a new clothing brand called Louise Love.

About Alannah Hill

Alannah Hill was born in Franklin, Tasmania. She spent a lot of her childhood in a coastal town called Penguin. When she was 16, she moved to Melbourne, Victoria. She hoped to become an actress there. She had one small acting role in a movie called Dogs in Space in 1986.

Her Fashion Journey

While working as a waitress, Alannah was offered a job at Indigo Boutique. She worked there for fifteen years. It was at this boutique that she created her first designs under the Alannah Hill label. She opened her very first store in 1997. With help from Factory X, she eventually opened 42 Alannah Hill stores across Australia. Her clothes were also sold in large department stores like David Jones.

Her fashion collections were also sold in famous international stores. These included Browns and Selfridges in London, and Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman in New York. Alannah's designs were special because they had a girlish, fancy, and old-fashioned romantic style. She is known for her unique, doll-like appearance. She has said she is always seen with full make-up. Shop assistants in her stores were encouraged to look similar to her. They often wore rosy cheeks and red lipstick.

A fashion expert, Janice Green Burns, said that Alannah was truly unique. She changed women's fashion with her special ideas. Her style was feminine but also very balanced.

Changes in Her Business

On August 15, 2013, Alannah Hill announced she was leaving her fashion business. This happened after a disagreement with Factory X, the company that owned the brand. Factory X still runs the Alannah Hill stores. However, Alannah Hill no longer designs for them or has any say in the brand. At the time, Alannah said she wanted to continue working in the fashion world. In 2017, the Alannah Hill brand was removed from David Jones stores.

Alannah started a new fashion brand called Louise Love in 2014. She also planned to create perfumes and candles, in addition to clothing. Louise Love took a break after Alannah was diagnosed with a type of cancer in April 2015. This led to her needing surgery on her foot.

Her Life Outside Fashion

Alannah Hill has four brothers and sisters. She has a son named Edward with Karl Bartl. Karl is the founder of a menswear brand called Jack London. Alannah is in a relationship with a musician and producer named Hugo Race.

Alannah wrote a book about her life called Butterfly on a Pin. It was published in May 2018. She also published a collection of short stories in 2020.

She helps the Centenary Institute of Science and Medical Research in Sydney. She works as an Ambassador to help raise money for cancer research.