Not long ago, I was approached by a student from 'The Australian Academy of Design' to write a few pieces for their graduate showcase's accompanying gazette - 'The Edit.'
It was a wonderful project to be a part of, and I was really impressed to see the gazette after it had gone to print. Above is the cover of the magazine, and below is my article discussing the graduating students' collections.
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WORDS BY SIGRID (SIGGI) MCCARTHY.
For Australian Academy
of Design’s 2012 graduate showcase, each student has designed a collection that
embodies him or her as a designer. The
collections culminate months of hard work, and showcase each designer’s vision,
talent and passion for the industry. They stem from the idea that fashion is
something that should inspire people, open minds, challenge ideals and evoke
emotion. Having
the freedom to design purely for creative pleasure, each designer has explored
different mediums and processes, working diligently to create a unique body of
work.
The students’ sources of inspiration are varied; each aiming
to produce an innovative collection that is relevant to today’s society, and that
says something about the world we live in. The question of gender and its role
within the garment industry is challenged, and many have sought inspiration
from times gone by, whilst also injecting a modern twist into their designs.
Whilst some of these designs are somewhat adventurous and
avant-garde, all garments have been designed to be both versatile and wearable
– each designer understanding that the modern man and woman needs clothing that
compliments their lifestyles. The collections highlight that clothing can in
fact be unconventional, but at the same time practical and ready-to-wear.
These 15 designers have used an array of techniques, colours,
fabric textures, silhouettes, lines, patterns, embellishments and prints in the
hope that their end products will appeal to a wide audience. That is the beauty
of graduate showcases – they act as platforms for designers to experiment and
grow, and give them the freedom to create without the pressure to please buyers.
With the Australian fashion industry facing a greater
shift towards fast fashion, these talented
young designers prove that good craftsmanship and innovative design is still
well and truly alive. It is an exciting time for up and coming fashion designers,
and this showcase aims to support and celebrate the future of our local fashion
industry.
