Up and coming talents had better be warned, Debut at Fashion Exposed has quite a lineup of new and independent labels set to be unveiled. We’ve set 12 designers the task of taking inspiration from: Swedish simplicity; Mediterranean summers; ‘The Jetsons’; Roxy Music’s “For your pleasure” album; a reading of The Great Gatsby; Peter Pan; and all things natural, to create their collections and we can’t wait to see what they have in store.
We had a quick chat with Edwina Sinclair from the brand SOOT. about being a Debut designer at Fashion Exposed and who would she dress if she could.
What does it mean to you, to be a Debut Sydney 2011 Finalist?
I am humbled actually. When you look at the talent within the Australian emerging designer arena, to be chosen as a finalist is overwhelming yet exhilarating!
Tell us a little about your design background:
I am a fulltime 1st year student of QUT in Brisbane studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Fashion. I completed one year of a Bachelor of Creative Industries majoring in fashion last year and have now been accepted into the Fine Arts – Fashion program. I started my label at the beginning of 2010 and my 4th collection has just come out of production. I have 2 stores in Brisbane that stock my label as well as an online store.
Tell us about your new collection:
This Summer 2011 capsule collection is using the finest fabrics that I have used to date. The Italian stretch silk satin that has an ‘in your face’ print is I guess to a designer what truffles are to a chef! The collection includes edgy casual as well as daywear and an evening piece. As well as silk satin I have used silk cotton, stretch cotton sateen and printed jersey. The colour palette is dark navy and black with a lighter hue within the print.
What is your biggest achievement so far?
A highlight was having SOOT. on the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival in Brisbane in 2010 and having stockists approach me always makes me smile and think that the hard work is all worth it. AIso, I am about to open my own store in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Along with SOOT. I am stocking 2 other emerging designers (who are also 18 years old) and a jewellery label that another ‘teenager’ designs and hand makes.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
I would hope that SOOT. has more of a national presence but maintains it’s following as an edgy, youthful, ever-evolving label.
If you could dress anyone (celebrity, friend, girl on the street) who would it be?
Florence Welch of ‘Florence & the Machine’ is a musical genius who presents her music and her look with style. The passion she exudes is contagious and I would love to see her belting out one of her songs in a SOOT. garment.
