Yes the very private, fashion royalty, Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere, is coming to Sydney to launch the house’s first ever fragrance. My most desired label, it holds a very special place for me. I married wearing Balenciaga at City Hall in NYC and was nearly brought to tears in a Paris nightclub when I thought I’d lost my Balenciaga jacket…I can easily admit to being a true fashion victim when anything Balenciaga is involved.
A question I hope to ask Nicolas whilst he’s here….
Was Tom Ford really in the nude when he interviewed you recently for Interview magazine? (click on link, a must read)
Lets hope I get to meet him and that he’s as much fun as his PA, Charlotte Proux, who’s already intown. We love you Charlotte!
I caught up with the always immaculately groomed and well-dressed designer Dion Lee. He did, however, admit his biggest fashion faux pas is (constantly) wearing track-pants in public. I congratulated him on winning the Woolmark young designer award, we discussed his calm and cool work ethic and I got some insider info on his collection for the up and coming RAFW.
Photo: Richard Bailey, courtesy of Vogue Australia
Romy: You won the Woolmark LMFF young designer award, congratulations. What happens now?
Dion: At the moment I am deeply immersed in my new collection, to be shown at RAFW. I have had so many other things going on, so it’s great to finally be able to devote all of my energy to designing. I can’t wait to start thinking about the trip to premier vision and working on a new collection with those amazing resources. However, so much to do before then.
R: Your shapes feel so sculptured and modern, your clothes are like pieces of art… Do you take inspiration from any particular artists?
D: Yeah, I do look at alot of artists to source the appropriate references for a collection. For AW2010 ‘how to be invisible’ the idea was to create this surrealist landscape, clothes fading into the body and disappearing, with transparency and stretch silks, weaving through structures. There was one (Salvador) Dali image of particular influence that I seemed to keep coming back too that beautifully illustrated skin melting off the body. The staircase sculpture we created for the shoot had elements of M.C Escher and Rachel Whitehead.
R: I shot a jacket for Vogue from your second collection ever (pictured above) , and I’ve dressed Sarah Murdoch in a few of your pieces. Who are you thinking of when designing for this summer collection at fashion week?
D: I think there are often multiple personalities in my collection. There are a variety of women whose styles influence me in different ways. With the collection I am working on at the moment, there is a lighter, easier sophistication and I thin a stronger sense of maturity.
Can’t be bothered with Ebay? Does the smell of the Salvos turn your stomach? Browse Claireinc.com for impeccable quality vintage YSL, Chanel and Givenchy to name a few. Join owner/buyer/stylist/photographer Belinda Humphries and I on the latest shoot for the site.
Clare: Why vintage Bel?
Bel: I saw a huge gap in the market for something trend-based, late-era designer collections in Australia. We focus on avant garde pieces with relevance and that promotes individual style and rejects tired retro stereotypes.
C: How should your pieces be styled and worn by your clients?
B: I think it’s important to find a balance and mix in with contemporary collections and great quality basics. Fashion is cyclical and it always looks best when old is blended in with new.
C: Who are your clients?
B: Ironically the majority of our clients are based overseas. We get quite a few high-profile fashion editors and celebs – M.I.A, Lily Allen, Irina Lazareanu to name a few.
C: Adelaide tip?
B: The Central Markets, Amalfi Restaurant and have you heard of The New Guard?
C: Certainly have!
I’m back in Adelaide, this week and first stop is The New Guard on Unley road. This modern boutique to which all things black, minimal and fabulous reside is owned by Erin Skipter and Anna Sergiou, two of my longtime friends. I drop in and Erin shows me what’s just arrived…
Clare: How’s the newguard.com.au going one year on from launch?
Erin: Our label mix this season is pretty spot on. We now sell Arnsdorf, Alexander Wang, Friedrich Gray, Acne, Opening Ceremony, Ksubi, Complex Geometries, Dion Lee and Erin Wasson RVCA is landing any day.
Isabel Marant Booties (phone order only) and studded bag, Alexander Wang top, Friedrich Gray leggings, thenewguard.com.au
C: So glad my Isabel Marant booties have arrived Eri, add these to my layby please! What else has come in and what are you loving?
E: I’m loving the distressed knits and sporty-luxe fleece by Alex Wang and I’m so impressed with Dion Lee again this winter. Have you seen this incredible dress? Can’t even describe the way it fits but look at the way the fabric’s sculpted – it’s literally a blazer/mini dress hybrid.
Photo of Alexander Wang
Erin’s Adelaide tip: Gouger Street for restaurants and McLaren Vale wineries for the best reds.
