The Event…
The Order of Melbourne hosts a series of discussion around current issues and ideas of major importance in fashion design thinking today. The focus is on inspiration, the social impact of fashion design, and what it means to create and wear clothing. Chaired by design practitioners and academics, and a filmmaker, the panel members will participate in an exciting and interactive discussion around diverse and engaging topics. The discussion will revolve around a concept or statement, and key questions will be posed to the panel members. The forums will be intelligent but accessible; inspiring and energising; revealing and participatory. It will about public engagement with a community of fashion design thinkers. Each session will run for one hour; and comprises forty minutes of discussion by panel members, and 20 minutes of questions from the audience. There will be one host and three panel members. Discussions commence 6.30 pm at The Order, Level 2, 401 Swanston St, Melbourne the 19th, 20th and 21st of March 2012.
The hosts…
Rebecca Gully is a fashion design practitioner and lecturer, teaching design, patternmaking and garment construction. Areas of research include mid-20th century popular culture and clothing, nostalgia, and wearing as performance. Rebecca has written and published on collecting and wearing vintage clothing, and contemporary fashion design pedagogy. She is an avid collector and hoarder of mid-20th century design especially clothing and textiles; sewing ephemera ; vintage patterns and lingerie and corsetry from the 40s and 50s...She has specialist skills in intimate apparel and swimwear design. Rebecca has a BA Fashion and an MA Fashion from RMIT University.
Peter Allan is an academic and designer. He is a full time lecturer within the Fashion program of the RMIT’s School of Architecture and Design. He was awarded a doctorate in June 2011. His PhD by project – ‘The Fabricated Man: Masculinities and Fashion’ - is ongoing and informs both his pedagogical and design practice
Christina Heristanidis was born to Greek immigrant parents and grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne. After graduating in fashion from RMIT University Christina worked in the rag trade as everything from sales assistant to fashion executive. In 1994 Christina graduated from her second degree in Media Arts in 1996, and then a graduate diploma in Film and Television at the VCA . 2001 saw Christina write, direct and co-produce her film “Dear Bert” which won The United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award for promotion of Multicultural Issues. Christina has written and directed three documentaries for Australian television . She is currently on the selection committee for short documentaries at The Melbourne International Film Festival and teaches in the Media Department of RMIT University.
The panels…
Monday 19th March, My Life in Fashion – inspiration and ways of working
Angie Réhe - a Melbourne-based designer and illustrator who has been working in the fashion industry since graduating from university in the late 80’s.After years of travelling the world and designing for some of Australia’s favourite fashion brands, she now mixes freelance design and illustration with lecturing in fashion illustration, reporting on Melbourne inspirations for international website WGSN, creating art for greeting cards and stationery, and keeping up with her illustrated blog www.patsyfox.com. She is a gun for hire, whose work can be found in print advertisements, fashion websites, brochures, invitations, design storyboard presentations, books, trend forecasting, greeting cards, and stationery. Mantra? I design-draw-write-photograph, therefore I am.
Pene Durston (Queen of Craft) describes herself as a textile designer, op-shop tragic, cynic, skillaholic, saver of abandoned machinery, and rag-picker.Her shop Cottage Industry is full of things she designs and makes from recycled fabrics and using traditional craft techniques to make products to wear and use around the home. Most of the stock is made in small quantities and the use of vintage fabrics means many production pieces are still unique.
Nyssa Marrow is the designer for the above. label. This year the label was chosen as a finalist for the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival National Designer Award. above. aims to produce classic, wearable shapes that have the foundations of a well cut pattern. The collections always centre around the basic wardrobe (shirt, shift dress, the suit, trench coat) but are re-imagined from a structural point of view. Nyssa believes clothing should never overshadow the person wearing it, rather should integrate into their lives and wardrobes seamlessly.
Tuesday 20th March, Contemporary Masculinity and Menswear
Richard Nylon is a Melbourne based milliner. He is a teacher of millinery , as well as having a thriving special event head wear business. Nylon is sought after as a speaker on fashion , and has love of dressing and an individual personal style.
Glen Rollason has a BA Honours from RMIT University and offers a design consultancy service to clients. Overall range planning incorporating fashion, key and basic proportional requirements to a general overview service is available. Glen Rollason has extensive experience in both men's and women's design and has won the New Australian Designer of the Year in 2000. Glen has been a consultant lecturer for RMIT in the BA Fashion department for six years and has helped in launching many new talents into the industry.
Emma Boseley is a fourth year BA Design (Fashion) student. She designs for self-expression and believes the individual is capable of creating their own unique image. Different practices, processes and techniques inspire her. The way she approaches fashion design, with attention to technique and detail, is similar to the way it was approached in the past, an idea which she believes many modern designers don't wish to value or care about. She loves to work three-dimensionally and ha a strong interest in menswear.
Wednesday 21st March, Curating Identity – notions of wearing and performance
Clare St Clare is a romantic retro futuristic performer, muse and fashion chameleon. St Clare was recently listed in The Age as one of Melbourne's fashion forward leaders. Her highly costumed appearances have been described as 'ridiculously glamorous' 'captivating' and mesmeric'. With a background in performance art, dance and a degree in Fashion (RMIT University) St Clare weaves art, dance and fashion history into her performances and still images. While her current incarnation is influenced by Golden Age Hollywood, St Clare has explored diverse looks inspired by other times including ancient Egyptian, Victorian, Pin-Up, Film Noir, 60's Pop Art through to Post Apocalyptic Futurist. St Clare has toured extensively as a singer with Mikelangelo. St.Clare views dress and adornment as a gateway to the imagination.
