If you love to dress up, you’ll love The Folly

Business Writeup: The Folly, Yandina

Sunshine Coast Council has secured a design consultant to lead a project to help revive the region’s historic hub of Nambour.

During the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, architectural ‘follies’ gained popularity throughout England. They were also called eyecatchers. They were  erected to enhance a natural landscape.

Now Yandina has its own ‘folly’ at 4A Stevens Street, in the form of a pop-up shop. 

The labour of love for Stay Wild Collective’s Cindy Lidington is bursting with unique, fun and whimsical fashions that have been sourced from around the world.

“The Folly is my own interpretation of the original definition,” said Cindy.

“These are clothes for people who love clothes, who want to ‘play’ at dressing up in beautiful things and appreciate their quality and the love with which they were designed and made. It is a wonderful way to showcase these brands and it is pure fun.”

The clothing available at The Folly is not “everyday fashion” but has been made to wear every day.

“All the fabrics are gorgeous, cool to wear natural linens, silks and cottons,’ Cindy said. “They have been ethically sourced, and to me, they are the embodiment of the notion that you should never ‘keep your good for good’. Every day is a blessing and I love to see my customers get excited about getting dressed every day. These pieces are living works of art and I envisage my customers passing them down to their daughters.”

Brands such as Ewa I Walla from Sweden, Lesours from France, and Australian brand, Lazy Bones are well represented.

“These designers have cleverly made the old world modern, pretty and feminine,” said Cindy.

“Texan brand, Magnolia Pearl, is a real favourite of  mine. It is extremely theatrical, and every item is so soft, you can feel the love that has gone into each piece. Plus, all of our brands are inclusive, with gorgeous pieces available over size 14.”

“The people who shop with us are people who generally don’t love shopping, per se, but they love to ‘dress up’. We encourage people to come in and play. We don’t pressure anyone to buy anything and it is wonderful to see people enjoying the process of experimenting with clothing and walking away with well thought out purchases.

“I always try to choose what my customers will like, and I think that when you combine that with the integrity of these fabulous brands, you can’t go too far wrong.”

• The Folly is at 4A Stevens Street, Yandina.