Ginger and Smart
19-05-2009
The styling was slick with a sport luxe feel, showcasing their new accessories line, including day wear opaque visors and precariously high, metal rod stilettos, that had models teetering on the brinks, with one girl failing to hold back a stumble.
The classic Ginger and Smart look is a marriage of structured tailoring, softened with feminine elements. For this collection they have honed sophistication and a grown up look, interspersed with childlike optimacy and playful aspects. The collection is a fusion of the fluid nature of the silk fabric of the kite and sharper detailing, examining the hard and soft elements of the kite with most outfits having some semblance of structure, married with a softer silhouette.
Initial looks were uncomplicated with a focus on prints appearing in a monochrome palate. Oversized arrow stitch detailing was shown on side seams of tailored cigarette pants and big stitch prints appeared on dresses in white on black, mirroring the stitches of the kite. Structure was practised through the use of hard lines and angular kimono shaped dresses. Voluminous polished silks were gracefully draped and subtly controlled with intersecting black reigns emanating the frame and strings of the kite.
Later on monochrome subsided as an array of colours dominated, in diffused acid brights, bejewelled block hues of red, cerise and purple and kaleidoscopic prints in a 70's sun faded paint box palate. Silhouettes expanded, losing the form and controlled tailoring that was explored earlier. Dresses transpired from billowing column to kaftan, all ablaze with brightly coloured prints.
The Ginger and Smart signature leather appeared playfully in the form of a unitard and a waistcoat, coloured in purple with scalloped edges and teamed with rushed, nude chiffon, diaphanous leggings, giving a hard soft contrast. Black was reintroduced, paired with violet in some more directional looks including a gracefully draped playsuit. The most covetable look of the show was a silk acid bright maxi dress with a diffused watercolour print and gladiator style shoulder plates, adorned with rows of gold zippers.
Ginger and Smart embody the essence of the kite with practical clothes for real women, that are beautiful, graceful and transformational. Ginger and Smart have always been free thinkers, choosing their own direction and not being entirely influenced by the European catwalks, which dictate so much of what many Aussie designers create.
Sky Dancer Summer 09/10 is inspired by the paradoxical nature of the simple kite.
What are the key pieces in your collection? We have developed a beautiful glow in the dark thread and embroidered it on some sharp pieces that look amazing when the lights go down.
Sum up the look of your label in 4 words? Effortless, modern, fluid and sharp
How would you like to see your label progress in the future? We like to keep things interesting by introducing new products that we see as essential to the modern wardrobe. We have recently introduced shoes to the mix.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring fashion designers what would it be?
Have a clear creative vision for your label and stay true to it.
What was your first job in the industry?
My first job fresh out of Fashion College was at Zimmermann as Nicky's design assistant.
Who is your muse? We always have a woman in mind that is at once tough and feminine. It's the combination of hard and soft that makes her interesting.
What do you love about Australian fashion? I love that Australian designers chart their own course and have such a fresh perspective.
Who would you like to see wearing your clothes? We would like most women to be able to find a piece that somehow fills a gap for them and makes them feel modern and interesting.
If you weren't a fashion designer who would you be? An architect or somewhere in interiors
What is your biggest fashion related regret? No regrets its all part of the fashion wheel.
Where is your favourite place in the whole world? Paris and Palm Beach in Sydney where I live.







