Australian fashion label, Summi Summi has always existed in feeling first. Before silhouettes, before seasonal direction, before commercial intent, there is mood. Colour. Emotion. A sense of nostalgia softened by ease. Since founding the brand, Ashleigh Vallis has built a world defined not by swiftly revolving style cycles, but by instinct – designing pieces that feel personal, expressive and deeply wearable.
“Summi Summi has always been about a feeling rather than a trend,” Vallis says. “Today, the brand’s signature style leans into dopamine dressing. And, designing pieces that inject a burst of happiness into your day and make you feel something the moment you put them on. While we acknowledge trends, we’re more interested in creating clothing that feels joyful, nostalgic and a little undone. There’s an inherent ease and wearability to each piece, balanced with thoughtful details and subtle femininity, so they feel lived-in from the very first wear and remain relevant well beyond a single season.”
That emotional clarity sits at the centre of La Vie, the brand’s AW26 collection. Shot across Paris, the imagery resists grandeur in favour of intimacy. Expect cafe tables scattered with cups and croissants, worn stone stairwells descending underground, weathered doors catching the afternoon light. It is a portrait of the city shaped by observation rather than spectacle.
“To me, ‘La vie’ is about slowing down and finding joy in the everyday – in what you wear, what you do, and how you show up for yourself,” Vallis reflects. “It’s about living intentionally and letting style be part of that pleasure.”
La Vie unfolds through fluid silhouettes, tactile fabrics and painterly prints that move easily with the body. Romance is present, but never precious. Sensuality appears in softness, in drape, in detail. Every piece feels designed for life as it is lived, not as it is styled.
“We design with both intention and wearability in mind,” Vallis explains. “Our pieces are romantic and expressive, but they’re also meant to be worn in real life – effortless, practical, and comfortable. The trick is thoughtful details, soft fabrics, and silhouettes that feel sensual without asking you to sacrifice ease.”
Print remains central to the Summi Summi language, functioning less as decoration and more as narrative. Each artwork is developed through painting and mixed media techniques, building depth and texture that feel tactile, layered and emotive.
“Prints for us are a language – a way to tell a story without words,” Vallis says. “Each print is created by our textile designer using painting and multimedia techniques, making every piece truly one-of-a-kind. They’re designed to evoke emotion, nostalgia, or a moment of joy, and to complement the mood of the collection. We approach print intentionally, layering colour, texture, and movement so that every piece feels expressive and alive. You’ll never see it repeated or copied (at least, not well).”
Three hero prints anchor the emotional tone of La Vie. Wonderland explodes in colour and movement, playful and surreal. “Wonderland is playful and expressive, meant to feel like stepping into a daydream.” Chocolate Petals softens into deeper, more intimate territory, its velvety florals unfolding across rich cocoa tones. “Chocolate Petals is intimate and indulgent, warm and tactile, unfolding slowly like an evening that lingers.” Bordeaux brings a grounded stillness, layered in wine reds, russet leaves and shadowed indigos. “Bordeaux is grounded and reflective, inspired by memory, autumn landscapes, and quiet moments of observation.”
Together, they create what Vallis describes as “a complete emotional wardrobe – different expressions of La Vie, all tied together by romance, artistry, and how they make the wearer feel.”
That emotional intelligence is mirrored in the Summi Summi woman herself. “The Summi Summi woman today is confident, playful, and unapologetically herself,” Vallis says. “She values ease and comfort but loves pieces that spark joy and self-expression. Over the years, she’s evolved alongside the brand – becoming bolder, more adventurous, and more intentional in her choices – just like Summi Summi has grown to create clothing that’s joyful, effortless, and full of feeling.”
Vallis’s own relationship with fashion has evolved in parallel. “Since founding Summi Summi, fashion has become less about trends and more about feeling – choosing pieces to suit my mood whether that’s comfort, happiness or for feeling sexy,” she says. “Creatively, it’s about storytelling through prints, fabrics, and details. My typical day look is effortless and relaxed – a breezy dress or tailored separates – and at night I like something romantic and playful, always easy to wear but full of personality.”
Her definition of modern femininity reflects that same emotional nuance. “To me, modern femininity is confidence without compromise – a mix of softness and strength, playfulness and purpose,” Vallis says. “It’s about embracing who you are, choosing what makes you feel good, and expressing yourself on your own terms. That philosophy shapes our designs: pieces that are romantic yet practical, expressive yet effortless, and always designed to make the wearer feel like herself – fully and joyfully.”
Time remains central to her creative process. “A collection is finished when it feels complete – every piece, print, and detail telling its story,” Vallis explains. “Taking our time matters; it ensures the clothes are thoughtful, joyful, and made to last, not just to chase the next trend.”
Ultimately, La Vie lingers not as an aesthetic, but as a feeling. “When someone steps into La Vie, I hope they carry a sense of nostalgia and presence long after the season ends,” Vallis says. “I want them to feel inspired by the little moments of life and connected to a collection that celebrates living thoughtfully, playfully, and fully.”
For Vallis, the intention remains simple. “I hope that women feel happy when they wear Summi. I want them to look at themselves in the mirror with a big smile on their face and hope they feel confident and their most authentic selves.”
