On Sunday night, Yen presented the Independent Runway, a L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival event which unites 10 of Australia’s most innovative designers. We spoke to Garth Cook, Jolet Ucchino, Francis Leon, Extinct and Something Else about their A/W collections.
Perth designer Garth Cook’s A/W collection The Outlook Hotel was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, and considering the film’s status as one of the greatest horror films ever made, audiences can expect a haunting presentation from the designer at Independent Runway.
“The collection has a dark, grungy feel,” Cook says, adding that the collection was particularly inspired by the character of Wendy Torrance (played by Shelly Duvall). “The fabrics are a mix of herringbone, checques, toile de joy, pinstripes and florals. I was trying to work a ’70s feel into the collection but then cutting it in a contemporary way. The main Shelly Duvall influence came from the way she layered her clothing in the film. It was just a load of layers in an almost lazy, I don’t care kind of attitude but it still looked amazing and well put together.”
Cook’s collection even goes so far as to mine the twisted psychology behind Wendy and Jack’s relationship for inspiration. “While dealing with her crazy husband, it seemed Wendy wanted to stand by her husband and try to convince herself all is well and normal,” Cook says. “I referenced this by cutting dresses and jackets with Trompe L’Oeil details. Instead of making a lapel or collar I created seams that referenced those shapes – to try and trick the eye and create the illusion.”
Rising up from these dark depths are highly wearable micro suede T-shirts, jersey florals and patchwork chequered dresses, alongside more avant garde pieces rendered in silk wool cheque and black Japanese silk wool with silk crepe details.
Head to www.lmff.com.au for tickets!
Top image by Romain Duquesne.