Student Feature: Ashlyn Farenden

Ashlyn FarendenRMIT Student Ashlyn Farenden is currently in her fourth and final year of fashion design (honours). I met Ashlyn back when we both studied Fashion Textile Merchandising at Kangan, from there she went on to RMIT. Ashlyn has always been very determined to make her way in the industry, continuously passionate and motivated. I interviewed her to see where’s she at now! As well check out her video of her latest collection

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Tell us about your time at RMIT. What you’ve learnt and experienced during your studies?

I have enjoyed my time in the course so far and I am about to enter my fourth and final year (honours), which is going to be a lot of work. As well I will be applying to have my collection shown at Fashion Week.

From the course I have gained a few industry-based internships. Such as working for Myer and Nixi Killick. Feedback from these companies was that I was chosen due to my experience and study. They appreciated that I had completed the Fashion Textile Merchandising course (and it also gave me an advantage). The kangan course was more business based. But now i am developing a design background with the BA design (Fashion) at RMIT

You’ve just completed your latest collection. Tell us about your theme? Do you eventually want to create a brand?

In relation to designing a brand in the future. I feel that I see myself within a different place in the fashion industry. Although I love design and have really taken to it since starting the course I feel that a more business based career with design elements such as Product development or Buying would be more what I am aiming towards.

My most recent collection is Cerebral Camouflage. Was created around the idea of dual reality. The way in which we see ourselves is not the way others perceive us to be.

I created layered garments so that you could see each piece being worn. Resembling layers of her personality.

What inspired you to create this collection?

We were given a platform to work off by the designers Boudicca (UK-based) and the statements. I chose to research and look further into was 'Fragmented Souls' and 'Neo geographic'

 I then developed these two statements together instead of researching them individually and progressed to the 'cerebral camouflage' and 'dual reality' concept.

Does your personal style reflect on your designs?

My style when designing is different to how I am as a person. I personally enjoy black, white or grey and usually a simple tailored silhouette.

 However when I am designing (my most recent collection not included) I am usually very sport wear based. You can always see hints of sports wear in my collections, whether it is the fabric choice or the silhouette.I think that is because I enjoy casual dressing and how something can be put together effortlessly.

Your dream job in the fashion industry?

Something I am still deciding upon as I answer this question, but I think it would have to be something within buying or product development. I would ideally like to work for myself; I have a few ideas in the pipeline for that. But I think to gain experience and a handle on the industry I would begin working for someone else.

Your favourite internship since studying?

Favourite internship? I don’t think I could just pick one. Purely because they have all been different and given me different tools that I could apply to my work with and taught me different things along the way.

What fashion designers do you look up to?

Designers I look up to and work I admire would have to be people like Alexander McQueen. I saw his designs at the MET exhibition in New York - 2011, titled ‘Savage Beauty’.

 He definitely designs in a different way to the way in which I design; however I enjoy how he was always telling a story with each collection. He likes to narrate with his work, which is something I also do, especially when doing my folio.

Advice to future students?

It’s hard work but if you're dedicated and you really want it then at the end of the day it’s going to be worth it. It’s always nice to see all those endless nights and hard work pays off in such a visual way.

 Special thanks to Ashlyn xx Good luck with your final year! 

STUDENT FEATURE: DANIELLE FOSBERRY

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

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.

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)

Jacinta Raquel- JR Design

BRITTNEY ANN

Student Feature BRITTNEY ANN Meet current fashion design student Brittney Hunt. She currently attends Kangan Tafe Richmond campus.

I met Brittney at Stage Label MSFW event. Her collection Brittney Ann was showcased on the night. I had quickly interviewed Brittney backstage.We instantly connected apart from both having attended the same tafe but as well her beautiful and friendly personality.

Her inspiration and ideas were magnificent, as she explained that an aboriginal elder had taught her to grass weave.

Below Brittney explains more in depth about herself and the collection.

How long have you wanted a career in fashion?  My Whole life!

Before Kangan had you previously studied anything else?
 Before Kangan I completed my VCE along with completing a short course for retail.


You’re currently a student at Kangan Tafe in your third year of your advanced diploma of design, tell us more about your current experience with Kangan and what you have achieved since attending Kangan.

When I look back I have learnt so much and although the experience has been stressful it's also been very enjoyable. There is such amazing people at Kangan who have surrounded me having contributed to this beautiful experience. Most of the teachers at Kangan are fantastic. My favourite being Tunku who is my sewing and pattern making teacher. Kangan also organized a scholarship at a partnering school Yogyakarta state University for my class. This was an incredible experience.

When I met you was this your first fashion show? Was it your first collection on show to the public? 

No it was my third, I have also exhibited in two shows for MSFW by ARTZ.

How did you come up with the idea to use the materials you used?  and why? 

My collection is based around textures, as it's called 'Textured Androgyny'. So I based my decision on the tactile feeling of all the materials. All the velvets and the minky dot, not only did they feel soft but they also had a sense of warmth about the material, which I needed for this winter collection. I also tried to choose sustainable natural fabrics as much as I could in acceptation of the velvets. I made the pants out of sand washed silk because of light luxurious feel and the fall of the fabric. I was also always going to use my grass weave, not only because it has this harsh texture, which is intriguing, but because I wanted to showcase the aboriginal culture in my collection. It is truly Australian and I value you this as an Australian designer. We must look at our history and our roots before we move forward.


What gives you inspiration? 

Anything and everything can gives me inspiration. Specifically for this collection I was inspired by such designers as Lanvin and Alexander McQueen, their dark sense of fashion and mostly androgynous silhouettes are very intriguing to me. I mirrored this in the androgynous silhouettes of my garments and subtle over sexualizing cross darts over the bust. I felt in recent times that women show off every body part to 'catch' a mans attention. I wanted to bring back women dressing for themselves. I was obviously also inspired by the aboriginal culture as you can see by the grass weaving, and in my circular dotted knits that have not been released yet.

Have you completed any internships? 
 Sadly I haven't, because I have been so busy with work and school. It is a full time job but I am currently seeking one!


What are your goals would you like to be an independent brand or work for a brand? 

Honestly I would love to work for myself and develop my own brand and style of clothing, but I think I need to work for someone else's brand to develop my skills. School is very different from a company and I would enjoy learning more in a company/head office experience. Although I would love to be involved with anything having to do with fashion, no matter what it is as long as I am in the industry I know I will love it.


Advice for anyone who is currently studying fashion?

If you are not completely passionate about it, then I do advise not to go ahead with studying fashion. As it requires a lot of dedication and long hours. Although if you are passionate about fashion then go for it. Don’t let others tell you that you won’t succeed, push forward because it’s not up to others, it’s wholly placed on your shoulders where you want to be and how to achieve your dreams. Also don't let your teachers or peers opinion change your point of view of your collection, because to be a fashion designer it is to show your own opinion through clothing and this is what makes you an individual in the massive sea of designers out there.

Special thanks to Brittney xx