First Kiss Event 2014
There's a quote from 'A Walk To Remember' that goes -“It wasn't that long, and it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you see in movies these days, but it was wonderful in its own way, and all I can remember about the moment is that when our lips touched, I knew the memory would last forever.”
Melbourne, Australia fashion designer Danielle Fosberry hosted “First Kiss”. Danielle explained to me before the night about what was installed for all and had given me this quote on what the night was inspired by.
Showcasing 15 designers at Melbourne renowned nightclub Room 680.
It was such an extraordinary and magical event to finish off the year. Unlike any other fashion event I have ever attended. This event was innovative and a creative one that will definitely be a memorable one to myself and all that attended.
Upon arrival anticipation and excitement was all around. Once entered the venue lights were dim and I had noticed roses hanging down around the bar, delicately wrapped around fairy lights. As I glanced around the area
There were different sets designs and props around, ready for each local designer to showcase their collection. The club was transformed into a studio of art.
Melbourne’s renowned make up artist Jessica Bell was one of the make up artist for the event. Creating make up looks back to back. I was able to get a sneaky peak to see her backstage! Which was great to see her style and techniques in action.
The event showcased 15 different local designers. Ranging from students to graduates from various fashion schools in Melbourne. From short captivating performances and pop up installations that stimulated all senses through audio, visual and emotion.
Each designer had different unique pop-up show installations that expressed each designer’s concept. Every performance was so different and unique in everyway. Each collection was presented in a timely order. One would finish and another would start there was never a dull moment at this event.
I felt different emotions and mesmerized by the performance art pieces that were on display that night. All eyes were on each performance, as you were not able to take your eyes off the garments throughout the show.
As I wrapped up for the night, walking outside in the brisk night warm air. The event left an everlasting impact on me not only creativity inspired but memorable, as I reminisced about it during the night just like my first kiss…..
SHOWCASING DESIGNERS
Danielle Fosberry, Ruskin Black, Jacinta Raquel, Morgan Jia, Natasha I'Anson, Evaleen Motoska, Debbie Yann, Yang TC Casey Demko, Nathaly Munoz, Laura Brennan,Miranda Dickinson, Adriana Maiolo, Michelle Rand and Emma Zammit
I interview some of the designers that contributed in the event .Check them out, as they express their idea concepts and how they went about their collection.
DANIELLE FOSBERRY
How did you all come up with the idea and concept for this event?
We wanted to create a very fun, performative and interactive fashion event. As most of the ideas and concepts become lost when presented on a runway.
We wanted to give local talents around Melbourne the chance to collaborate on an event, as we feel that the possibilities are endless through collaborations, as everyone has such amazing ideas.
It's not everyday that you find an organization or venue that is willing to help support and promote local talents. Room680 has put their complete faith in everyone involved and has encouraged everyone to be as creative as they would like.
What year are you currently in at RMIT?
I have just completed my 3rd year of the RMIT's Bachelor of Design (Fashion) Honours and will be entering my final year as of March.
I have previously graduated from the RMIT Diploma of Advanced Fashion Design and Technology (as mentioned above) at the Brunswick campus, then transferred over to the Honours Degree.
With your collection, how long did it take you to create?
My collection consists of various pieces that I have created over my last 2 years of the RMIT City degree. Over the past few weeks, I then created various add-on garments to create entire looks.
Did you have a theme for the collection you presented at the event?
I personally did not have a theme in mind for my collection, as my style is constantly changing.
I guess you could say that this collection is quite tailored, structured and slightly dark. It seems to be the style of clothing I have been attracted to lately. However, most of my work tends to consist of leather and structured silhouettes. photo
What are your future goals and dreams for the fashion industry?
I would ideally love to intern overseas for a large international label, possibly then work for them for a couple of years and then eventually start my own label. Fingers crossed!
Advice for anyone who is currently studying fashion?
Studying fashion requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You're not 'just sewing' or 'just drawing pretty pictures' which is the opinions I often hear. If you love it and enjoy it, then hang in there as there will obviously be some tough moments, but it's definitely worthwhile.
Personally I have used uni as an advantage to experiment with my creativity, innovation and ideas. It's a period where I can be as crazy as I'd like, without worrying about hitting sales targets and a large consumer base, which is expected once you enter the industry
JACINTA RAQUEL
I am currently studying Bachelor of Fashion Design (Honours) at RMIT University, in the city campus. I have just completed my 3rd year and will be working on my final graduate collection next year in 2015.
What was your theme for your collection? How did you come up with the idea to use the materials you used and why?
My theme was all about the fascinating changes in nature- emphasizing the journey from caterpillar to chrysalis (cocoon) and finally to butterfly. Therefore; I wanted to use materials, textures and colours which embodied this poetic story of a shift in structure, form, colour and persona. To show the varying tones within nature’s creations- I hand-dyed the green fabric used in the first caterpillar dress which exposed pattern and added depth and dimension; bringing the ‘creature’ to life!
To mimic the texture of the caterpillar. I used a heat gun to create bubbled shibori on the green gown. The chrysalis garments signified the ethereal, delicate stage of the butterfly encased in the cocoon, vulnerability represented in the sheaths of tulle, delicate and transparent, sheer fabrics which encased the female form. Lastly, the butterfly garments were uplifting and vivaciously coloured - using patterns, structural forms and feathers to symbolize this new-found form that has just hatched and has been freed!
Another contributing factor to the materials used in my designs; was the ease of movement that I had to ensure I provided for the models and dancers, especially.
What was the process for creating your garments?
In my fashion practice, process to me is just as vital; if not more important than the final product. The process of design is magical when I let my imagination go wild and pages come alive.. When fabric is manipulated and a transformation of shape and form takes place...and when a thought finally comes into fruition! It is why I am a designer.
For this collection, I was under time pressure- having only about a week and a half to produce five out of the six garments I showcased. I began by trawling through my visual inspiration books filled with my research on metamorphosis. Sourcing the fabrics and trims sparks more inspiration as to what to create; and I begin to drape on the stand. I use quite an organic, spontaneous approach to design- surrendering to where the process takes me- often simultaneously working between draping on the stand to flat pattern-making and sketching. I used a mixture of hand-stitched finishes and details; as well as machine-made.
My design process/philosophy
‘A single thought: a seed of inspiration sown, lovingly nurtured from paper to fabric until it blossoms into a beautiful, honest reflection on life itself'
Explain your idea and inspiration to have your collection presented so theatrical?
I wanted to design a collection that will take the audience on a transformative journey of profound change; representing the transient beauty of nature through wearable art. A dreamlike concoction of vivid colours and inspired textures to let one’s imagination take flight…. representing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to butterfly in an out-of-the-ordinary way. It had an important narrative to tell and I wanted the audience to really connect and feel. Fashion has the capability to move people...if you let it!
I find awe and wonder in the simplest things in life; and wanted to produce a show that emphasises the often dismissed changes in the world that surrounds us- resulting in a more theatrical, exaggerated show. I have a background in the performing arts- and I thought that an event like ‘First Kiss’ would be the perfect opportunity to combine my two passions! I teamed my wearable art, conceptual garments with an evocative mix of contemporary and lyrical dance to portray mood. I believe that music and dance is incredibly expressive- the idea of movement can speak louder than words and can entrance one into a fantastical world! I wanted the garments themselves to have a personality- each portraying the three stages of metamorphosis: the quirky, elegant caterpillar, to the whimsical, delicate nature of the chrysalis….to the beautiful vibrancy of the newly freed butterfly. When the model or dancer put on the garment; my aim was for them to embody the character through how the garment made them feel.
And lastly what do you eventually want, to create your own label or work for a label
In the future, I endeavour to create my own fashion label. It's something that I have dreamed of since I was young. I am a very individual person and would love the freedom to establish my own unique mark in the local and international fashion industry. However, when I graduate I hope to travel overseas and work within the industry for other labels first to gain experience and skills that I hope to apply to my own label someday.
Follow my design journey on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacinta-Raquel-JR-Design/617266008292167
or www.jacintaraquel.com (website currently being updated- under construction)
CASEY DEMKO
You’ve graduated rmit with two courses under your belt and you specialise in wool construction!
Tell us what does that entail? And when and how did you know you wanted to specialise in that area?
I've graduated from two RMIT courses. The first I completed was the Associate Degree in Fashion Technology where I made the choice I become a knitwear major. I carried that through to my second course where I completed the Bachelor of Applied Science (Fashion Technology). At the beginning of the first course students we offered the choice to do main stream or the knitwear component after industry feedback to the university said there was a lack of skill in this area. I've always loved knitting, my grandmother taught me when I was young so I decided why not learn the industrial side of things. I am of the first ever to graduate from the knitwear major, I'm one of only 6. It's similar to the main stream course however it's more specialised and at certain times we had more classes and I feel, a heavier workload... But that's just personal opinion!
what inspired your collection? And during the event how did you come about your garden theme? It was so adorable I loved it!
Thank you! Last year I visited Monet's garden in France on a study tour with uni. I fell in love with the beauty and vibe of the place. while it was so visually rich there was this overwhelming feeling that I just can't describe, it was luscious, full of time and just gorgeous. I used this inspiration an earlier collection which was actually lingerie and then carried it through to the dresses you seen on the night. I also drew inspiration from traditional handcrafts such as crochet, beading and of course knitting. As I have a strong passion for handcrafts it is always present in all my collections.
I was fascinated by your story on your crochet daisy dress, what inspired you to do this
At the begging I was really suffering from a creative block, one day I was experimenting crochet flowers to create earrings, and I just thought if I could crochet a lot of then why not make a dress? And really that's how it come about, it sort of just hit me...
What pros and cons did you encounter while creating such a beautiful piece?
When I'm asked this it's easy to think of the cons, being an end of year piece for uni I found it quiet stressful. The dress is made from over 450 crochet flowers with a Swarovski crystal attached to the center of each and I had to work solely to tight dead lines as well as create the other pieces and of course all the rest that goes with completing an assessment. The pros are obviously the beauty of it. Hand made is always precious and while at times I did find it stressful it was worth it, I completed it... I made something timeless and gorgeous and that I'm extremely proud of.
During the night you explained to me how you added the metallic yarn within your dress, explain to everyone how you did this?
For this particular dress I created it on an industrial knitting machine which I worked closely with a knitwear technician to achieve. The metallic yarn is called lurex, which I used in a technique called plating. The dress was made using a whole garment machine- which means it literally came off the machine as a finished garment. So anyway, plating is achieved by running two end of lurex through the machine keeps on the inside of the fabric that is being knitted. We call this side the technical back. For the teapot motifs the stitches are reverse so that the backside comes through the front as so the silver picture of a teapot appears. It can be difficult to describe without using knitwear lingo, which won't make sense to people with no industrial knit knowledge.
What are your future plans?
I’ve just recently moved into a studio in the nicolous building on Swanston street. My plans are to work in industry to fund my dreams of running my label Casey Marie.
What advice do you have for future students in the industry?
My advice to students is to stay positive, keep true to yourself and focus on the bigger picture of getting yourself to where you want to be.
Special thanks to Danielle Fosberry
Jacinta Raquel Casey Marie Demko xxx
Photo Credit
Defiant Arts
Michael Woods Photography
Shaun Photography