Urban Tropics Autumn/Winter 2013
Synopsis
Samantha McLean
Urban Tropics is
an exploration of my two very different homes, Tauranga and Wellington. Through
the juxtaposition of elements extracted and inspired by each environment, a
very unique collection was born. Wellington is very much a man-made, angular
concrete jungle; this is expressed throughout the collection through the use of
geometric pattern and print, along with angular sharp lines. Tauranga on the other hand is more of a
tropical environment, surrounded by nature and flowing organic lines. I have
used the very vibrant colour palette and the occasional more soft, draped
garment to represent Tauranga.
This collection is not designed for the faint hearted. It contains a lively mix of tropical colours, contrasted with strong angular lines and geometric patterns.
Urban Tropics has a very strong sense of confidence and a high-spirited atmosphere accompanies the bold garments.
This collection certainly packs a punch and will add a unique twist to any Winter Wardrobe.
The goal for this collection if I had the resources to
do so would be do produce all garments and do so with around 3 colour
variations of each dress, tee shirt, ruched pant and possible trouser, so that
the collection is versatile and can be mixed and matched to ensure something to
suit a wider range of people with different styles and tastes. Although I still
want to keep it more exclusive than the mass market so would only aim to stock
one of each size in every colour combination.
The selected
mid/diffusion market influenced many design decisions that were made in regard
to the finishings, fabric choices and appropriate complexity of the garments.
Firstly fabrics of a mid range quality were needed in this collection as the
garments needed to be constructed at a reasonable price in-order to keep to the
mid market price range and keep accessibility to a large customer base. I
selected fabrics that would wear well, felt and looked of a nice quality and
ones that would not stretch and distort after just one wear as you may see
happening extensively in the mass market.
Garments were kept rather simple, but a level of complexity was still present in order to keep an exclusive feel to the collection.
The methods of topstitching, tailored flys, cuffs, waist darts, angular hemlines, unique necklines and a vibrant colour palette… are all important to give the collection unique and interesting features that set it apart from other collections and ‘the norm’, while still keeping the function and accessibility of the pieces.
The Wellington stores I see my collection sitting along-side price range wise, are the likes of Witchery, Area 51 and Country Road. I want to ensure that the garments are accessible to as bigger audience as possible, and that’s why I’ve chosen the Mid Market as-appose to the High End market with stores such as Zambesi and Karen Walker.
Garments were kept rather simple, but a level of complexity was still present in order to keep an exclusive feel to the collection.
The methods of topstitching, tailored flys, cuffs, waist darts, angular hemlines, unique necklines and a vibrant colour palette… are all important to give the collection unique and interesting features that set it apart from other collections and ‘the norm’, while still keeping the function and accessibility of the pieces.
The Wellington stores I see my collection sitting along-side price range wise, are the likes of Witchery, Area 51 and Country Road. I want to ensure that the garments are accessible to as bigger audience as possible, and that’s why I’ve chosen the Mid Market as-appose to the High End market with stores such as Zambesi and Karen Walker.
