Kacey Devlin’s inception

ABSORB — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:46:22 +0000

Here we’re finally showing some of the beautiful images we did for new Aussie designer Kacey Devlin late last year. Having just graduated from the fashion course at UTS, Kacey is set to launch her own label – a very modern, utilitarian collection of mix-and-match pieces able to layer up and make them your own. We had great fun shooting this, photographer Maja Baska captured Samantha from Priscillas in a series of action shots – what we didn’t know beforehand was that Samantha was ballet-trained, and so each leap was perfectly poised with beautiful hands and feet! She was truly amazing.

Also the fashion film was made by Costa Vakas, to encapsulate the collection – using smoke effects and a turntable. Note to self: check for fire alarms before using smoke!

Kacey is set to show her range in March as a finalist in the 8^th annual iD International Emerging Designer Awards in Dunedin, New Zealand. So keep an eye out, she is one to watch!

Sportsgirl Supports Emerging Designers

ABSORB — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:16:31 +0000

Sportsgirl have announced their new designer collaboration: two capsule collections to be released in selected stores by budding fashion graduates Ana Diaz and Jessica O’Connor. ‘The Graduates’ collections are comprised of a 10-piece range based around the designs of their graduate ranges from 2011. Brisbane designer Ana Diaz’s label Diaz takes a retro angle with 70′s influenced shapes and colours inspired by Giallo cinema from Italy. Jessica O’Connor’s label Outpost focuses on knitwear, playing with traditional knitting techniques and inspired by far away places.

The Graduates collection will be available in store from 2nd March or online from 27th February.

While you’re at it, you can also check out the photo shoot and fashion film we made last year featuring Jessica’s garments.

Congrats girls! And I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty more to come from these new Australian designers.

On Aime

ABSORB — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:25:29 +0000

Things to admire right now: Maurie & Eve AW 2012, classics reprinted in colour, model Hannah Perera by Jason Schembri, Chanel Spring 2012 campaign, and chrysocolla.

Hello Josh

ABSORB — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:56:59 +0000

A couple of pics of the disarmingly charming Josh Stanford from Chic, photographed by Rodney Ye and styled by Chiara Bianchino.

Fresh.

ABSORB — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:35:51 +0000

The 2011 UTS graduate fashion parade took place last December – a yearly showcase of shining new talent ready to be unleashed onto the world. This is where young fashion designers debut their thesis collections to an audience of industry guests and peers, and a place where the potential stars of Australian fashion are emerging. This year we were most impressed with the ideas being presented, not to mention the quality of production of the garments – many collections would be right at home nestled alongside established designers and take the notion of “student fashion” to a whole new level. Here is our pick of a few names to watch.

Natalia Grzybowski

Amazing digital prints in sculptural shapes made Natalia’s collection a definite standout. Not only was there a beautiful artistry to her interpretation of florals, mirrored and perfectly placed on the garments, but the clean lines of each piece mixed with 3D details gave them a great balance. She finished with a diaphanous sheer gown that was lovely in its softness as a foil to the rest of the collection. In other news, Natalia was just named the recipient of the Australians in New York Fashion Fund scholarship – a most amazing opportunity to intern in New York this year!

Kacey Devlin

Kacey Devlin is set to launch her debut collection ‘Inceptionism’, jumping from studies straight into starting her label. She’s a bit of a dynamo! Based around a draped, layered silhouette with pieces that transform according to the wearer’s interpretation, her aesthetic is thoroughly modern and picks up on an androgynous silhouette. Check back for more on Kacey, as Absorb produced her lookbook and campaign video, which we will be sharing soon!

Matt Dolan

Girly, architectural and a little unsettling is the collection by Matt Dolan, taking reference from fundamentalist religion and bringing out its dark side. Using latex and printing on it, which sounds near impossible, resulted in latex skirts and our favourite – latex trousers! Some very nifty technique was showcased, like here the jumper has 3D looking shapes formed underneath the fabric with bonded foam. Also stay tuned for lookbook and video for Matt Dolan by Absorb.

Danielle Kremer

We love colour! And Danielle Kremer’s collection was a lovely ode to vibrant hue. A very summer-bright collection with pops of fluro and some great graphic style prints. She also used hardware and woven rope overgarments taken from rock climbing attire, and managed a really nice balance between sportswear detail and a quite feminine, contemporary collection. Danielle also won the 2011 NSW Business Chamber Textiles, Clothing and Footwear award, giving her $10,000 to help start her complementary accessories range ‘LIFT’.

We’re envisioning very promising future careers from these graduates: definitely names to keep note of as Australian fashion keeps growing year by year. If students are graduating with this calibre of talent and skill, we are surely in for some fresh new fashion legacies.

Merry Christmas from Absorb

ABSORB — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:21:56 +0000

Our christmas angel from a recent shoot for Rachel Zuch. By Maja Baska.

We can’t believe how quickly this year passed by, lots of projects, new collaborations and a few competition wins as well! It has been busy and challenging and fun, and we hope to make next year even better. But for now, time for a little recharge before heading back into it all in January. Thankyou to everyone who was involved in Absorb: the makers and collaborators, the tech support behind the scenes, and the readers and watchers who have given their interest and attention. It means so much to have that positive feedback and to be encouraged to keep doing it! So happy and safe holidays and check back in 2012 for some great new stuff: A few things we’ve filmed this year to be released early next year, as well as some big fashion films we’re planning that will be screening at a few select places throughout the year… We’re also in the process of upgrading the website!

Happy 2011! Bring on 2012….

Chiara x

Sneak Peak: Rumspringa

ABSORB — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:31:09 +0000

Here’s a little taste of our last film for 2011 which is currently in production. Be sure to check back in the new year for the finished product! We’re very excited about this one.

Tough Pastels

ABSORB — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:05:53 +0000

New shoot by Anna Pogossova featuring model Jennifer from Chic. Get a winter vibe happening with a preview at some new-season pieces – we’re all for a bit of man-style action in dreamy pale colours.

Pol Design silk tshirt.

Left: Pol Design blazer. Right: Victoria & Woods blazer, Cylk shirt and pants.

Left: Victoria & Woods shirt. Right: Steele top, Pol Design pants, model’s own boots.

Victoria & Woods blazer, Cylk shirt.

Pol Design blazer and silk tshirt.

CREDITS:

Photographer: Anna Pogossova

Stylist: Chiara Bianchino

Makeup + Hair: Stephanie Gangi

Model: Jennifer @ Chic

Fashion: Cylk, Pol Design, Steele, Victoria & Woods.

Friday Foot Fetish: Friend of Mine

ABSORB — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:00:24 +0000

Ankle boots have been big for a few seasons now, and with our Aussie climate heading into summer, the short boot still works without you feeling like you’re sweating your legs off. We are Obsessed with the boots coming from label Friend Of Mine, with their metallic detailings and just the right amount of chunkiness. Their Claw Boot is a definite favourite. And that dusty blue hue is the sort of colour you end up not being able to live without. Add a little bit of a summer tan and something floaty and you’re set.

Sneak Peak: Through the Trees They Came

ABSORB — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:26:40 +0000

We had an amazing day filming our next fashion film with designer Matt Dolan. Filmmaker Michael Tyson and I had three girls from Chadwicks floating through the pine trees and looking very pretty and haunting! Here are some video stills to have a peek at. The finished video will appear a little later, along with photos by Bowen Arico and Kit Baker.. get excited!