Works by Curtin University Fashion students are currently being showcased in Sydney’s The Strand Arcade as part of the 2013 Campaign for Wool Australia activities.
Curtin designers on show include current student Katherine Young and recent graduates Molly Stott, Hannah Steens, Timothy Watson and Lauren Sims.
Katherine Young explained that her piece, entitled Complex Complex, was inspired by the concept of psychology in fashion.
“My concept surrounds the complex of the mind and the idea of many personalities of differing intensity,” Ms Young explained.
“I really wanted the outfit to illustrate vulnerability and strength through the mixture of hard and soft fabrics and a play on positioning.
“Wool is such a beautiful material to work with. I use a lot of wool in my jackets because it drapes perfectly with a slight bounce that gives great volume.”
Recent Curtin Fashion graduate Molly Stott, said that her piece on display in Sydney was entitled Rubberlution.
“I like working with wool because it is so versatile and trans-seasonal,” Ms Stott explained.
“It can be a luxurious fabric used to create couture garments or it can be used to create every day, ready-to-wear garments.
“Even though I love wool, my preferred textile is silk as I like its light weight and transparency qualities.”
Lauren Sims explained that her piece in The Strand Arcade was inspired by her recent graduate collection, Micro.
“Through this particular experience and my exposure to wool, I am more aware of the benefits and unique properties of this material and intend to incorporate woollen fabrics into my future garments, collections and art works,” Ms Sims said.
Hannah Steens, also a recent Curtin graduate, said that her piece on display in Sydney was inspired by her 2012 collection, A Cloth of Contradiction.
“As a young designer, I’m inspired by the innovation and application potential of wool,” Ms Steens said.
“The silhouette and concept for this work was developed from inspiration from the wool cloth, tartan.
“The body was produced in accordance with traditional kilting techniques. The stunning drape ability of the wool is displayed through the hand stitched metallic pleats and strategically positioned red stripe.”
Anne Farren, Head of Fashion at Curtin University, explained that designing with wool has been a part of the Fashion program at Curtin since the course commenced in 2001.
“Wool is a fibre that has amazing technical properties, however over the years, that has been forgotten by efforts to create high tech man-made fibres. Wool also has a new suite of characteristics that are only now being uncovered,” Ms Farren said.
The students’ works will be on display in Sydney’s The Strand Arcade until 30 June 2013.
