Dear Diane and Shaded Viewers,
The year has begun and I’ve been thinking about what I’m looking forward to. Amongst the World Expo in Milan, the Bjork exhibition in New York and the release of her new album, and of course ASVOFF 8, there are a few designers that I think are worth looking out for.
In the coming days I’ll be doing a short series on five designers who’ve been designing professionally for 5 years or less, and whom I think will do some interesting things this year…
First up is DESERT DESIGNS
It all began in a jail in the 1980s, when two art teachers saw the unique talent of one Aboriginal Australian and desert man, Jimmy Pike. They worked together developing Pike’s designs on textiles and continued this when he was released from prison, and until his passing in 2002. Last year, one of the original teachers, Steve Culley launched Desert Designs with young designers, Jedda-Daisy Culley and Caroline Sundt-Wels, who combine the rich archive of Jimmy Pike’s work with a post-digital aesthetic that places indigenous art and the arid desert landscape of Australia at its heart. In a very short time, they’ve created one of the most unique and culturally significant fashion labels in Australia today.
Desert Designs will be presenting during Australian Fashion Week, April 12-16.
All images courtesy of Desert Designs – http://desertdesigns.com.au/
Happy Friday,
Sophie Joy
