Eight Adelaide emerging designers are among the chief drawcards for one of the most anticipated events of the 2010 Adelaide Fashion Festival: the Chambord SA Designers Fashion Showcase.

At the event, to be held in the Norwood Concert Hall on Saturday 13 November, these talented designers will go head to head for the 2010 SA Emerging Designer Award. With a range of design styles and approaches, it’s sure to be a very interesting show.

The Collective caught up with each of them to find out more about their motivations, inspirations and thoughts on the creative process.

YVONNE BAULDERSTONE
Label: YVONNE FAYE

I got into fashion after… I was given my first sewing machine when I was six and was fortunate enough to inherit vintage fabrics. Fashion design is something I have always done – for as long as I can remember I have been making my own clothes and experimenting with fabric.

Ideas for garments can come from… all forms of the creative arts – anything from a visual art exhibition to the ballet, or even just opening your eyes to the things around you.

Creating a collection is… hard work; it involves a lot of planning. However, it is a very exciting process as the range begins to take on a life of its own.

My biggest tip for new designers is… to do everything – master all the basics including patternmaking and garment construction. Wear your own designs – it is the only way to know if they work and most importantly have fun with the creative process.

You can find my designs… at my shop currently at 547 Port Rd, West Croydon, however the store will be moving in the new year to Linden Park.

IVANA MILOSEVIC AND KATERINA VRYNIOS
Label: IVANA & KATERINA

We got into fashion because… we both grew up dreaming of being designers and being around the fashion industry… after both studying fashion design, we both left early to pursue our dream to take the swimwear world to another level.

Ideas for garments can come from… world travel… colours… life around us… art and feminine glamour.

Creating a collection is… so absolutely rewarding. We both can barely contain our excitement once we choose our theme for the season, then watch it grow from sketches to samples, to being on the racks of stores and in magazines.

My biggest tip for new designers would be… perseverance is vital for anyone wanting to see their dream come to life.

You can find my designs… in Urban Girl Clothing, Somewhere in Paris, Chasing Nel, Jade Foxx Empire, Celcius, Azalia Boutique, Swarve Boutique, Sooki, WildChild Style Lab, Fashion Deli, Scarlet Fashion, Two black swans and Goldilocks Boutique, plus online stores: La Vera Boutique, Sueno Style, One little piece and Rhythm Poetic (many more to come this summer).

HAYLEY OSBORNE
Label: HAYLEY KATE

I got into fashion because… I had always lived and breathed it, and love making my own clothes. Now I am lucky enough to make clothes for other people.

Ideas for garments can come from… everywhere and anywhere – the world is my inspiration.

Creating a collection is… fresh and exciting, as well as scary. I think you just have to run with your gut feeling; backing yourself and having faith in yourself is very important.

My biggest tip for new designers would be… hard work prevails. If you put in you will get out. Motivation drives success.

You can find my designs… Globalize (SA and VIC), Swarve Boutique, Artisan Boutique, Kelsabell Fashions, LaVera Boutique, A Little Left Of Centre

GRETA RUMSBY
Label: GRETA KATE

I got into fashion… from a young age when I used to dictate to my mother what I did and did not want to wear. Clothes that I did not want to wear often found themselves thrown over the balcony!!! I guess my love of creative things grew with my grandmother – we were always making things. After school I studied Fashion Design at Queensland University of Technology for 1 year, then completed the Fashion Design course at TAFE SA. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

Ideas for garments can come from… completely random things, people, buildings, flowers, but once I have the fabric in my hands, the ideas start to flow from there.

Creating a collection is… a lot of hard work, a lot of fun and a lot of satisfaction! Completely worth it!

My biggest tip for new designers would be… follow your passion. Don’t be scared from the nay-sayers!

You can find my designs… on my Facebook page, but keep an eye out for my upcoming website. I also provide a viewing service where customers are able to try on a sample range at my studio and order from there.

ALICE RAWLINSON
Label: DIVINE MADNESS

I got into fashion because… after experiencing a childhood full of eclectic style and theatrical personalities, fashion felt like the most natural way for me to express my creativity.

About my inspirations… I like to use contradicting ideas in my designs. I’m predominantly inspired by colour, and recently I’ve been drawing inspiration from supernatural life forms, dance costumes and sportswear.

Creating a collection is… the materialisation of my ideas and imagination.

My biggest tip for new designers would be… Hard work pays off.

You can find my designs at… Work Shop Boutique.

My website at the moment is just my Divine Madness page on Facebook. Otherwise my email divinemadnessfashion@gmail.com is the best way for people to contact me.

JAIMIE SORTINO

I got into fashion because… I wanted a way to express myself through art. Clothes and texture have always been strong passions of mine – putting the two together forms such a magical thing. Now my goal through fashion is to bring a sense of art and theatrics to Australian fashion.

Ideas for garments can come from… the most unusual places! my mind is always thinking creatively. I’m always thinking and looking at my surroundings, thinking how I can translate that into art. But I grab a lot of ideas from music, art and avant garde culture.

Creating a collection is… something that flows naturally – I like to just play with fabric and textures and go from there. Normally from that I get a sense of what a collection will be. Then I’ll carry the themes throughout the other garments.

My biggest tip for new designers would be… always be honest to yourself; believe every decision you make; if you feel it, go for it; don’t let other people influence your design, ethics and passions.

You can find my designs… by contacting me through my Facebook page or on Twitter.

LUCY TUCKER
Label: SAINTE LUCIE

I got into fashion because… for as long as I can remember I have been drawing figures and clothing. Fashion and design have been my passion/obsession for my entire life!

Ideas for garments can come from… anything and everything: music, films, architecture, travel…

Creating a collection is… a challenging, but ultimately a creatively fulfilling process.

My biggest tip for new designers would be… work hard for your dreams – if you are passionate about what you do, then you’ll never ‘work’ a day in your life.

You can find my designs… in-store in February – local stockists will include Clubhouse Lane Boutique and Azalia Boutique.

JULIE WHITE

I got into fashion because… growing up, I got bored of shopping for trend after trend and began making my own clothing. Thankfully the industry has changed a lot since then – ideas of fashion and clothing are more open than ever before and I love being part of that.

Ideas for garments can come from… anything and anywhere. I’m always carrying around pens and notebooks wherever I go in case an idea flashes before me. Music helps too.

Creating a collection is… like putting together a little movie. When brainstorming a new concept I try to not let too many rules come into play while drawing and researching. This is one of my favorite parts of designing. After that involves a lot of decision making and working hard!

My biggest tip for new designers would be… to be in it because you love what you do. You have to be prepared to adapt along the way, but don’t let anything stop you.

You can find my designs… in Work Shop boutique. You can also find the label in select boutiques in Adelaide and interstate.

TAFE SA consistently produces an exciting crop of fashion graduates, and one of the highlights of this year’s festival will be the 2010 TAFE SA Fashion Graduate Parade.

For those of you who missed out on tickets to this sold-out event, the Collective caught up with some of the graduates who are set to make their mark on Adelaide’s fashion landscape.

ASHLEE DAWSON

Describe your collection in 3 words:

Run. Scream. Jump.

Biggest design inspiration:

Definitely sportswear, I’ve always been interested in sportswear. When I was growing up my brother and sister pretty much played every sport in the hills there was to play, but because of my pigeon toes and all-over double joints, I was always too uncoordinated to run, jump or catch a ball – I barely managed walking! I didn’t really care much about the sporting aspect but I loved the uniforms. Armour&heart features elements of sportswear but isn’t just crop tops and yoga pants, it’s full of statement pieces for when you want to be noticed or you can wear them every Saturday morning, if you were desperate for a sports uniform just like me.

Plans for Adelaide, Australia and/or beyond?

I plan on selling at the Gilles St markets next year; I think the markets are an amazing outlet for a designer to get started and get their name out there. I also want to go back to Hong Kong and China in July; they have amazing fabrics and trims over there in styles Adelaide wouldn’t dream of, and prices too embarrassing to say. Ultimately, I would love for armour&heart to be sold at boutiques nationally. I never planned on continuing with armour&heart but I’ve put so much blood, sweat and tears into her this year I want to let her grow to her full potential. Next year will be the real test but I believe her commercial viability is strong, I just need an equally as strong business plan and the drive to put in the hard yard again next year.

Also, meet Bowie!

Biggest challenge?

Time management and commitment. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you love it, your brain and eyes just stop working after a whole day of pattern making and machining, especially if what you’re making isn’t working out properly.

Best music to sew to?

Thieves Like Us by New Order. Just like Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink! Tusk by Fleetwood Mac is also a favourite, but really, what Fleetwood Mac song isn’t good? Oh and definitely Children of the Revolution by T-Rex. I think I was born in the wrong generation.

Why fashion?

Fashion can’t be ignored; it is a true medium of art. It is constantly influenced and it is always influencing. The technical side of it has always amazed me. It is more mathematical and science-based than people think – pattern making blows my mind. No joke. My interest in actually creating fashion though started when my dad bought me a Janome for Christmas when I was 12; I think my sister told him to buy it because she wanted one! It turned out for the better though because I started sewing then and look where I am now… while she’s an accountant. I still use it at home; I’ll probably be using it over the next week, sewing madly into the night to finish off the last few pieces in my collection.

Visit Ashlee’s website

HANNAH BUCHANAN

Describe your collection in 3 words:

Futuristic. Outrageous. Shocking.

Biggest design inspiration:

My graduate collection, titled Intergalactica, was inspired by satellite images from space, architecture and the plates of armadillos. I’m inspired by designers who continually push boundaries and have original, extraordinary designs. Viktor and Rolf are amazing at this; each collection is bigger and better than the previous, and they always surprise. They give me something to strive for. When I’m designing I always look back and question if my ideas are different and unusual. For my graduate collection, I scrapped anything that seemed too wearable or feminine.

Why fashion?

I can’t imagine myself doing anything but fashion. It excites me. I think I’m lucky to be in a field that doesn’t feel like work and I can look forward to it every day. To me fashion is like a fairytale. That’s the only way I can describe the overwhelming feeling when I see a designer’s collection that is so outrageous and fascinating, it doesn’t seem real.

What was your highlight of the course?

Apart from producing my graduate collection, being the South Australian winner of the 2009 Jeans for Genes Do It With Denim competition and representing the State at a national level. Going to Hong Kong this year through TAFE SA was another highlight. Along with the fashion, fabrics and trims available and factory visits, I got to fulfil my lifelong dream of going to Disneyland!

Best music to sew to?

We are constantly having music wars in our workshop – it’s a good day when Triple J wins! The XX is always calming when I’m frantically sewing to meet deadlines.

Visit Hannah’s website

ASHLEIGH DISSINGER

Your collection in a few words?

Unpredictable, Fun, Classy Aztec

Biggest design inspiration:

Australian career: Collette Dinnigan; creative: Alexander McQueen.

Biggest challenge?

Mistakes, long hours and the reality of the industry… You have to love what you do.

Plans for Adelaide, Australia and/or beyond?

I am excited to see which new doors open. I will always continue building my label and will work to see it grow locally and even nationally. However the opportunity to work for a reputable name would also be an honour. There is always more to learn.

Why fashion?

I was amazed with the fashion world from a young age… I’ve always been creative more than anything and so the two fell hand in hand. Since my decision I have never considered anything else and I don’t think I will ever look back.

Visit Ashleigh’s website

CARLY HEINRICH

Describe your collection in 3 words:

Raffish, raucous, ridiculous

Biggest design inspiration:

Early 90s hip hop, Sudanese tribal prints, Ethiopian neck rings, Ghettotech, Cazal sunglasses, music, parties, madness.

Plans for Adelaide, Australia and/or beyond?

A well developed knowledge of particular eras of fashion and popular culture and a infinite desire to uncover more could prove useful to get involved in costume direction, for both the theatre and film. Costume design would be incredible too, working with artists and musicians to create mad, one-off pieces inspired by their craft to add a little panache to their performances.

Biggest challenge?

Convincing people that ‘different’ does not mean ’sub-par’. That innovation does not cost money. That inspiration is infinite.

Best music to sew to?

Bad Brains make me wanna do my homework. Really fast. Buraka Som Sistema make me realise there is no such thing as too hectic. Creedence Clearwater Revival make me think I’m in the Deep South, not knee deep in chain link at 4am.

Find out more about TAFE SA Fashion

Image credits:

Ashlee Dawson
Photography: Phebe Rendulic
Model: Jane from Finesse

Hannah Buchanan
Photography: Benjamin McLaren
Model: Lucy from Finesse

Ashleigh Dissinger
Photography: Briana Orr
Model: Annabel from Finesse

Carly Heinrich
Photography: Benjamin McLaren
Model: Paige from Finesse

All hair and make-up: TAFE SA hairdressing & make-up artist students
All photographers are Adelaide College of the Arts photography students