Design duo powerhouse Ginger & Smart has dominated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney. Their SS15 collection, Latitude, gives a powerful yet gentle shift in perspective to an awakening of the unique and fragile beauty around us. Right now there is an emerging awareness of the force of nature and how we feature in it. In response, Ginger & Smart’s collection delivers and authentic perspective of where we are, how we feel and how we want to dress.
The result is a collection that presents a sense of space, a deeper understanding of the concept of Latitude, the possibilities of where we are, and who we are, and draws on a wonderfully creative design interpretation of what is both beautiful and relevant now.
In this collection, the structure and flow of raw landscapes create a strong core for the archetypal Ginger & Smart push and pull tensions. There are geographical parallels everywhere, between dangerous rock formations that withdraw to reveal powder-soft sands, peculiar and delicate leaves and flowers that thrive in subtly threatening spaces, all given Latitude to flourish, spread and run wild.
It’s this play on conflict that defines Ginger & Smart’s design tenet, contrasting strength and fragility, masculinity and femininity, like setting gentlemanly hardware against the softest fabrications. In this collection, rose gold veers from whimsical banksia leaves smattered over dress shoulders to robust straps on bags and shoes.
The predominant silhouette is slightly undone; a bit easy, a bit loose, with gently asymmetrical drop-waists to keep the profile grounded. Unexpected slits appear in fluid pants, dresses, on shoulders and hems. These generous cuts giving movement from a measured balance of structure and fluidity mean fabrication is key.
Combining tradition and technology, Ginger & Smart have redefined also lace. The introduction of the rawness of our strange flora to this beloved fabric speaks of romance and ritual by creating truly authentic Southern Hemisphere faces of the desert rose, wattle and delicate seed pods. The lace is in effect a fabric fossil of nature. Constructed silk plumes wave and breathe alongside silks printed with bursts of passionate wild spider orchids, ghost gums and rolling sand dunes; and it’s all anchored with the discipline of touch accessories, like the Crusader Bootie with its sand dune rubber tread.
Which was your favourite Ginger & Smart look? Tell us in the comments below…