Regional graduate round-up report: Australia

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Regional graduate round-up report: Australia

TULLIA JACK AND CAROLINA ALTHALLER, WGSN 08.01.10

WGSN globe-trotted down under to round up the brightest the Australian graduates. Proving
to be key breeding ground for talent, the overall simplistic approach to design focuses on
interesting finish and innovate texture.
The global trend for austerity during the recession was pushed aside, while structure, subversive
silhouettes and vibrant colours took centre stage. Experimental finishes gave surface texture new
meaning, delivering the exuberance of youth.
This strong cross section of 2009 graduate talent highlights the individualism born out of personal and
cultural identity and the raw ambition making the Southern Hemisphere a force to be reckoned with.

Alyssa Choat photography by Dean Podmore

Alyssa Choat describes her collection as an interruption of conventional perceptions of femininity, the
body and dress. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) graduate opened the fourth year catwalk
show, using both hair and fabric in her collection.
During her studies Choat completed an internship with Australian designer, Therese Rawsthorne. She
plans to pursue her MA in 2010.

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Regional graduate round-up report: Australia

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Jessica Robertson photography by Dean Podmore

Jessica Robertson's well-considered, philosophical approach is tinged with strong influences from slow
fashion. The University of Technology Sydney graduate incorporates the principles of local, transparent
and collaborative nito her work. To achieve this, she uses hand-crafting techniques, including
screenprinting and felting learnt from local artisans.

Laura Beaven photography by Dean Podmore

Laura Beaven's collection injected a modern masculinity into the class of 2009. She took traditional
menswear pieces and reinterpreted them to fit the changing nature of the way men dress. The UTS
graduate's use of relaxed silhouette and draping gave the collection an easy yet unconventional
wearability.

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Regional graduate round-up report: Australia

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Nadia Napreychikov photography by Kit Haselden

Avant garde RMIT designer, Nadia Naprevchikov presented four distinct looks. Working with elements of
dominatrix styling, Naprevchikov, chose themes of strapping, studding and corseting to represent her
Gaultier-inspired collection.

Rosalindynata Gunawan photography by Kit Haselden

Knitwear experimentalist, Rosalindynata Gunawan, plaited, knotted and looped luxurious amounts of
yarn in her collection. The fourth-year RMIT fashion designer used decadent volume and tactile surfaces,
taking knitwear to new frontiers, shaping a contemporary and curvaceous silhouette.

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Natalie Bortolotto photography by Kit Haselden

RMIT graduate Natalie Bortolotto sent out her multicoloured models draped in pompoms and handembellished denim. Classic seventies-style shorts and skirts formed the base for the flights-of-fancy
looped, crocheted and knitted rainbow tops. Bortolotto also made a foray into swimwear, showing strong
potential in a light-hearted take on the summer essential.

Amy Kahl photography by Kirstenreneetwigg@gmail.com

A warm palette of pink, cream and mauve married with soft flowing fabrics gave Queensland University
of Technology graduate, Amy Kahl's, graduating collection a definite feminine edge. Kahl flouted feathers
and fur, with fox pelts and ostridge feathers adorning the capsule collection.

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Regional graduate round-up report: Australia

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Lou Rogers photography by Kirstenreneetwigg@gmail.com

Tertiary yellows and greens mixed with graphic black and white prints to give Whitehouse Graduate, Lou
Rogers, a buy-in for front-row attention. Loose silhouettes, plumped out with ballooned skirts and
sleeves and swing jackets got approving nods from industry attendees.

Marianthi Filan photography by Patrik Nemes

Marianthi Filan from Melbourne School of Fashion presented a fun and frivolous capsule collection packed
full of Pop Art-inspired design. Simple shift dresses were printed with newspaper references and
humorous monster-face graphics were splashed over a fuchsia pink top.

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Regional graduate round-up report: Australia

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Ivett Simon photography by Patrik Nemes

Fellow Melbourne School of Fashion student, Ivett Simon, intricately pieced together denim inserts,
creating structured patchwork dresses, while displaying her pattern-cutting talent. Flexing her weaving
and knitting skills, Simon created ambitious overscaled knit structures, which encased soft chiffon
dresses.

Related Reports and links

Whitehouse Institute of Design
RMIT
University of Technology, Sydney
Queensland University of Technology - Australia
Melbourne School of Fashion
Regional graduate round-up report: Europe
Regional graduate round-up report: US
Regional graduate round-up report: Asia, Russia and Middle East

WGSN 2010

http://www.wgsn.com/members/generation-now/reports/gn2010jan08_090156

11/02/2010