With 100 graduate collections from Australia’s leading fashion design schools and an impressive industry judging panel, this year’s Emerging Designer campaign was yet again a sparkling showcase of talent.
The first group of 5 emerging designers have been selected by Toni Maticevski – the man behind one of Austalia’s most recognised and exquisite designer labels.
After studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), and successfully running his eponymous label for 18 years, Toni is the perfect person to kick off the Flaunter Emerging judging week.
“It was hard to choose only 5 so I put in a few honourable mentions…. Please congratulate the designers from me for completing and fulfilling their work. It’s great to see such variety and some innovation.”
RACHAEL O’BRIEN – UTS
“I really found Rachael’s palette and fabrication really beautiful and modern and the most unique of the lot. It felt personal and really desirable. The fabric development looked extraordinary and its silhouettes and shapes are really something that feels like where things are moving towards.”
YAEL FRISCHLING – UTS
“With Yael, I again found her shapes and treatments of simple banding really beautiful and cool. The palette was very sophisticated and the finish looked (from pictures) very refined and focused. It has a bit of a Celine feel but at the same time, it feels confident and wearable. The art pieces are great and I love seeing a young designer push that and managing to balance commercial and the artistic. It’s really important.”
EMMA TOTHILL – QUT
“Emma’s fabrication and treatment caught my eye. It feels luxurious and supple and beautifully handled and looks well finished. The treatments and silhouettes are feminine and elegant in a really refreshing modern way. The play on fabric as contrast really appeals to my aesthetic and personal tastes and the texture is kind here.”
ALISSAR HAMMOUD – UTS
“From all the entries I saw, this felt the most well considered in terms of brand and image and presentation. It felt cohesive and conceptual and at the same time I could see the wearability of pieces and the construction and cutting imagination. The fabrication and colours are refined and beautifully balanced and the look and models are spot on. A beautiful confident collection.”
NIGEL VOGLER – WHITEHOUSE
“It was a surprise to me to put Nigel forward but there was something very endearing about the collection and pieces. They are charming and clever – things I could see myself and others wear confidently. With the slightest hand, they are simple and desirable. The styling is strong and the image fresh and easy.”
TONI’S HONOURABLE MENTIONS
SABRINA ZHOU – WHITEHOUSE
“Sabrina’s silhouettes are striking and beautiful. I loved this look with its monastic (slightly Craig Green vibe) but it feels confident and has a great depth.”
KASSANDRA GIOTOPOULOS MOORE – UTS
“I loved the femininity of Kassandra’s portfolio. There was such charm and character and emotion. The clothes in some shots were hard to read in their finish and make but the images were romantic and had a lovely sensibility.”
MELANEY EMERY – WHITEHOUSE
“I think what I loved about Melaney’s works was the feeling more than anything. The vision is clear, I just think the exclusion needs a bit more focus. The feeling is the strongest thing for me here and I wanted to note it.”
