Karen's passion for turning humble scraps of fabric and thread into things of beauty was first awakened by her great aunt, who taught Karen to knit when she was three, and by Karen's mother, who nurtured her five year old daughter's budding talents as a sewer and designer.
The Berserk label was established in 1996. While her early range was largely street wear, the Berserk label has expanded and evolved along with Karen's own tastes, and continues to reflect its maker's love of natural fibres, vintage prints and flattering design for real women. Always reinventing and updating her collection, Karen's eclectic range draws inspiration from sources as diverse as seventies craft magazines, folk art and often the fabric itself.
Karen was a founding partner in the Melbourne's iconic 'The Cats Meow' boutique in Melbourne for 12 years before opening the flagship Berserk store in Ascot Vale in 2015.
Being close to the family home of three generations in Ascot Vale enabled Karen to run a business and to care for her parents. After both parents were gone, the decision was made to move on from Ascot Vale and Melbourne, to new beginnings in Geelong.
The current Berserk store is located in Pakington St, Geelong West. It houses a work room at the rear of the shop space where Karen sews most of her designs, and this new larger space enables Karen to be able to showcase a variety of clothing, accessories, gifts and home wares all ethically made by independent Australian makers.. We highly recommend a visit if you are ever in Geelong!
Fans of Karen's work from her Melbourne City days as well as the years Berserk was in Ascot Vale now have a place (us!) to get their Berserk fix, when they can't make it all the way down to Geelong..
Find the Berserk Range Here
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