When Alana Pallister and her sister Stevie launched I.Am.Gia from Australia in 2017, they didn’t so much enter the fashion world as exploded into it. What began as a charming streetwear label fueled by semi-cryptic branding, dystopian silhouettes, and an anti-establishment ethos, quickly transformed into a global phenomenon. Within six months, I.Am.Gia was going viral propelled by a growing, rotating cast of celebrity fans: Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner, Kaia Gerber, Selena Gomez, and Emily Ratajkowski, just to name a few. The apex came in 2018, when Ariana Grande at the height of her first cultural omnipresence, i.e. B.W. Before Wicked, wore the now-iconic “Aurora” bikini in her record-breaking “Thank U, Next” video. It was the kind of moment fashion designers dream of: the transformation of a garment into a permanent timestamp of pop history.
However, for Alana Pallister, I.Am.Gia was in many ways, a first act, undoubtedly loud, and undeniably of its time. Her new venture, CDP, which launched today, charts an altogether different course: a quieter, more intentional project born not out of zeitgeist, but out of personal loss, and the desire to create something enduring. I sat down with Pallister to discuss how the CDP is helping her heal, grow, and tell her story.
The name of the brand CDP is an abbreviation for Christine Dawn Pallister, her mother and mentor. “CDP was created in honor of my mum [Christine], who had just been diagnosed with Glioblastoma brain cancer. I spent many nights talking about life and work with her, and I wanted to create something to honor her legacy as a self-taught businesswoman and my greatest mentor,” said Pallister. While more subdued and serious vs I.Am.Gia, Pallister’s new brand CDP has more of a well-thought-out manner to its design aesthetic. With a closer look you can see that the garments have a certain polish and, most importantly, an ambition to last. The original sketches of CDP by Pallister trace back to 2017, yet surprisingly, they still constituted the foundation for this debut collection. “You could say CDP has a quality of being timeless in that regard,” she explains. “My idea is to assist women in every facet of their work lives, whether they’re going for their first office outfit or leading a company as a CEO.” There is a range of options from suiting that is cut with precision, to key wardrobe essentials that are both versatile and can effortlessly shift from the boardroom to the bar without missing a beat. “Our color palette leans toward more neutral tones, with baby blue as our hero color, which was my mother’s favorite,” Pallister shares. “One of my favorite pieces is our Celine tailored trench coat, and the logo-embossed tights. I’ve been wearing both consistently.”
CDP also taps into a growing fashion trend of ‘branding with a purpose’. For both – Gen Z and Millennials – an aesthetic appeal is not enough as they shift to brands that advocate for something that aligns with their values and beliefs. That is why CDP’s philanthropic mission is another cornerstone of the brand. “A key aspect of CDP is our commitment to partnering with non-profit organizations with similar values,” said Pallister. “We want to provide women with the best opportunities for success—not just through the clothing, but through real impact.”
CDP has a special blend of fashion and advocacy. One can see it in their campaign strategy. The styling of CDP’s debut collection is in the hands of Ras Bartram, fashion director of 032c magazine, the editorial vision is by Daniel Sachon, a British image maker and creative director, and leading the collection is a South African model Candice Swanepoel, “who in every way, is synonymous with the brand and what we represent in terms of modern womanhood.” The campaign personifies the modern woman who is always on the move, and “beyond being one of the most iconic supermodels, Candice also a CEO and a mother. Her ability to seamlessly manage multiple roles while consistently delivering is truly inspiring,” said Pallister.
While the Australian fashion industry is working hard to globalize and move past the stereotypes of resort wear and minimally tailored looks, Pallister new brand helps advance this national strategy, showing through CDP how Australian fashion has the potential and the talent to compete on the global stage with a potent blend of authenticity, emotional storytelling, and elevated fashion design.
“CDP isn’t just about what we wear; it’s about how we support each other,” says Pallister. “The journey we were on became tougher than I had prepared for,” shared Pallister, referencing her earlier attempt to launch the brand when her mother’s health took a turn and the demands of running I.Am.Gia felt overwhelming in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. She chose to put the launch on hold, in part, to tend to her mother and to bring her business back to a place of stability. But this is all in the past now. Following a time of recuperation, Pallister is ready to channel her vigor into this new label. “I have the confidence and the time now to give this label the love and the attention it deserves.” And we can’t wait to see where it goes next.