The Australian Wool Fashion Awards 2014

The Australian Wool awards were held in Tamworth, last Friday the 18th of July. I entered the awards two weeks earlier and was honoured to be a part of the dinner/runway show. What was even more amazing was coming first place in the Young Designer Category and being awarded the Supreme Award for 2014.

 

After extending my Bachelor of Arts (fashion) degree for an extra year, I feel I have been working on my graduate collection 'A Life in Wool' (from which these pieces come) for years. In fact, I began thinking about this collection at the start of 2012 when we were asked to research wool in fashion for one of our units.  I have put years of energy into ideas, research, planning, development and production for my graduate collection and considering that my ideas come from my background growing up on a sheep stud and visiting and working on different farms around the Wheat Belt, it's even more. Being apart of The Australian Wool Fashion Awards and having people appreciate the ideas, time and passion behind my work makes the blood, sweat and tears all with it. The support is incredibly humbling and is a huge motivation to continue with the hard work. 

 

There will be more photos and articles to come!

Backstage photo thanks to Australian Wool Fashion Awards of collection

Runway image photo thanks to AWFA  

 Runway image quick snap I took as the models strutted my stuff

After presentation snap of me with the models.

Photo thanks to Lachlan Gray

 

Judge Akira Isogawa Presenting the award.

Photo thanks to AWFA

 Photo thanks to AWFA

Wool Shawl for Elder's Supreme Clip of Sale

 



I was asked to design and create a wool item for friend Libby Stickland to accompany her outfit for the Elder's Supreme Clip of Sale presentation dinner.

 

The reversible light blue and cream shawl from wool suiting worn by Libby was featured in the Farm Weekly and the Countryman at the start of July, shown below.

 

 

The item two of many way it can be worn on the body.

The item laid flat showing the construction, reversibility and details

 

 

Innovo: Conventions Undone

 INNOVO Conventions Undone. An exhibition of Fashion and Textiles. June 10 - 15 at Nyisztor Studio, Melville, Western Australia.

The premise for the development of 'Innovo: Conventions Undone' is to showcase fashion as more than garment and challenge preconceived illusions through an investigation into the source of innovation; to examine the unique stimulus fuelling the design process which is brought to life through garment.

We aim to do this by presenting conceptually driven fashion forms that capture the viewer with not only material and technique, but an imperative need to understand the inspiration behind each design. This exhibition will focus on the presentation of works that explore the relationship between form, body and concept ultimately encouraging a deeper dialogue between viewer and installation.

 

Photos by Cordelia Gibbs

See more at the fashion catalyst and the INNOVO Facebook page

Beyond the Bale feature

Beyond the Bale issue 58, March 2014. Check out the online version HERE

A Life in Wool Graduate Collection in the PRESS

Australian Wool History Inspiration in The Countryman, Nov 2013

'Wool Spin in Cutting Edge Fashion' 

by Jenny Bartlett in The Farmweekly, Dec 2013

Check out the online article HERE

'Wool Inspiration Secures Fashion Show Win' 

by Jessica Hayes in The Farmweekly, Dec 2014 

Check out the online article HERE

New Designer Celebrates Farming Life

By Sally Hinks, Dec 2014

 I'm looking forward to more to come with an article by Beyond the Bale coming soon!
Cordy xx

A Life in Wool; Graduate Collection

The air is full of dust, suffocating heat glaring from the land and the structures build within. The dogs bark and the men shout along with the regular buzz of engine and clatter of sheep. The space is dotted with wool, a pungent smell of lanoline and ammonia sweep the floors. The workers are a flight of activity, movements repetitive and precise, amidst the disarray of tin, machine, pipe and wood.

Sheer Wool Imprint Skirt, Weatherboard Jacquard Knit Dress,
 rusted and darted Short  Stockman's Jacket. 
Accessorised with Shearing Comb neckpiece

Weatherboard Jacquard Knit Skirt, Sheer Wool Imprint Singlet, 
Sheer Wool Stain Singlet. Accessorised with Leather and Cog 
shearing hardware neckpiece.

Men's Square Wool Shorts and Lace Knit Singlet. 
Accessorised with Leather Magnet Belt and Leather 
Held Shearing Cutter Neckpiece.

Women's Square Wool Shorts with rust inserts, Lace Knit Jumper 

and Cotton/Silk Rusted Singlet (under). Accessorised with Spring Neckpiece

Men's Wool Worker Pants, Weatherboard Jacquard Knit Singlet 

and Darted Cotton Shirt. Accessorised with Felt Wool Worker Pouch 

and Leather Belt.

Women's Wool Worker Pants with Wax Treatment Panels, 

Cream Rib knit Cami (under), Brown Sheer Cotton Singlet 

and Darted Wool Shirt with Wax Treatment. 

Long Rusted Wool Stockman's Jacket and Lace Knit Dress.