Stepping Out - Raffles College of Design
Assia Benmedjdoub speaks to a current and former fashion design student from the Raffles College of Design and Commerce about their inspirations.
It's easy to assume someone like Bradley Butler, a fashion student who cites Dries Van Noten as an inspiration and yet aims for a post-graduate career at Bonds, is at a creative crossroads. Afterall, one label is known for its ethnic prints and fabrications, the other for its thrifty jocks and socks.
But Butler doesn't see it that way.
"I did work experience at Bonds and had the time of my life. Once I can get financial backing and an understanding of the fashion industry, I hope to start my own label catering for men and women's cocktail/streetwear."
Butler is the sole bearer of the 2007 Provost Scholarship, meaning he's not only capable of pulling off a cocktail/streetwear hybrid but he'll have the technical credentials to do so. Although he's in the second semester of a Bachelor of Design in Fashion, Butler's already proving to be a serious contender - a winning designer showcase earned him an invitation to the Alba Fan Club parade at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.
"I was invited to go from a competition I entered and I'd done many dressings for various shows around Sydney," he says. "The most exciting experience so far would have to be going to the RAFW after party and meeting the Ksubi boys. I draw a lot of inspiration from them."
Other inspirations include Anne Demeulemeester and Issey Miyake; designers he credits for his love of androgynous drapery and wearable art.
"My long term goals would be to have my own label, but the realisation is that it will take a very long time to get recognised," he says. "You need to have financial support and everything has to be planned very well."
Although, he laughs, he already has a store layout in mind.
Hae-Jin Kwon is a designer of few words - the quietly spoken fashion graduate prefers her work spoke for itself.
"My biggest challenge is adjusting to the way of working in Australia and my English as it is my second language," she says. "My improvement in both areas since starting work is very rewarding and exciting."
Kwon, who graduated with an advanced diploma of Textiles and Footwear in 2006, had the fortunate position of finding employment six months after leaving Raffles. Her experience paid off because the womenswear designer now boasts a respected position with New Twist - the company which produces a label for television personality Marcia Hines.
"It was hard to adjust at first because I had no designing experience," she says of her early days. "But I did find it very exciting to step into the industry and learn new things I could only gain from working."
Kwon's debut collection under the Marcia Hines label, which is available online and priced between $79 and $229, included separates, jersey dresses and eveningwear in a palette of dark, neutral and metallic hues.
Kwon says she's happy with her current position and would one day like to own and operate her own respected design label. She has just one word of advice for those following suit:
"You have to have perseverance in what you do. You might not find the area in the industry for you at first but the good thing I found was that anything you do will become handy and useful for you down the line."
By Assia Benmedjdoub