Gosh time goes past so quickly, its been a month since I last blogged!
What a blur....where has another four weeks gone? I think I am still dreaming!
The Australian Indigenous Fashion Week program is over! I cant believe how fast it has gone!
It was amazing to be able to say my goodbyes to everyone again in Sydney - my little fashion
family! I am really going to miss them! We have really been able to connect
before we finished the last workshop.
2013 AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS FASHION WEEK DESIGN PROGRAM - GROUP SHOT
WORKSHOP 9 -
BRAND PRESENTER
Alison Page
What an amazing, inspirational indigenous woman! WOW - she blew my mind!
Alison Page is descendant of the Walbanga and Wadi Wadi people of the Yuin nation.
She is an award-winning Designer and Executive Officer of the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance and theNational Aboriginal Design Agency.
Since 1997, Ms Page has worked with various urban and rural Aboriginal communities in the delivery of culturally appropriate architectural and design services in association with Merrima Design. Exploring links between cultural identity, art and design, her work spans architecture, interiors, jewellery and public art. In 1999, Merrima Design received an award from the International Federation of Interior Architects for making a “contribution to the design environment with an emphasis on social awareness and responsibility”.
In 2008 Alison received an Australian Jewellery Design Award for her contemporary Aboriginal jewellery, diamond dreaming, created in collaboration with Mondial Neuman Jewellers in Sydney.
For eight years Alison was a regular panellist of the ABC program The New Inventors. Alison is a board member of Ninti One Ltd and the CRC for Remote Economic Participation and in 2011 was appointed by the Prime Minister to the Expert Panel for the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous People.
http://www.saltwaterfreshwater.com.au/about-us/people/
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS INSTITUTE - Financials
Oh Gary - you are a business legend!
Every time - you open my mind! Again everyone had the
most confused looks during the whole session, but to gain relevant financial advice is priceless.
All the information and new business networks for Indigenous small businesses is insane.
NEW MENTOR
Kelly Elkin -
Kelly Elkins is a designer, writer and ethical fashion advocate. Since graduating with a BFA in fashion
in 2006, she packed her suitcase and embarked on a trip across the world. While overseas
she was involved in many parts of the fashion industry. Designing for local and international
labels her work has been featured in various publications such as French magazine WAD,
Fashion Forecast UK, Time Out London and Marie Claire. During this time she has
also assisted, consulted and organized fashion events for ethical organizations.
After a diverse range of experiences overseas, Kelly returned to her sunny
homeland in Australia to launch her organic sleepwear label A.L.A.S
Not one to be idle, her desire to promote the independent designers she found in her travels
she started her own blog called Transparent Seams, which features interviews from
ethical designers from around the world. Her blog has led her towards
freelancing for Peppermint Magazine and now Ecouterre! http://alasthelabel.com/
Now I have two mentors - One in Los Angeles and one in Sydney! I am one very lucky woman to have
been given the opportunity to work with the both!
MEDIA TRAINING
Media Training with Cecelia Haddad & Judy Goldman. Such an eye opener!
This was so hard - I didnt realise just how hard it would be! Now to practicing in the mirror!
P.S Cecelia Haddad represents some major Australian celebrities in conflict situations.
(cough cough Lara Bingle cough cough) LOL
It was bloody lucky we had that media training that day , as that night I get phone call to advise that
media recording in the morning prior to the workshop at 9am.
MEDIA INTERVIEW - AIFW 2014 SPONSORSHIP
BEHIND THE SCENE - MEDIA
BEHIND THE SCENE - SAMANTHA HARRIS AND TJ COWLISHAW
BEHIND THE SCENE - EVA WANGANEEN & SAMANTHA HARRIS
WORKSHOP 10
ART DIRECTION
Luca Tettoni from SLEEP Projects - Brand Company. I heart LUCA!
I now want total new re-branding and re-vamp of my brand design!
I am so excited to work with them in the future! http://www.sleep-projects.com/
ART OF STYLING
With the one and only miss Zoe Champion!
What an amazing day of styling! I had the most amazing time - the best workshop we had!
Follow Me Fox is the brainchild of Zoe Champion, Creative Consultant and Style Director.
Former Actor, dancer, PR go to girl, this industry heavy weight is a force to be reckoned with!
She has lived in London and worked with Stella Mc Cartney (accompanied her
to Paris & London Fashion Week) Charlotte Tilbury and Lee Stafford. After ten years away she has returned to sunny QLD shores to guide and develop and style. http://followmefox.com/
WORKSHOP 11
BRAND PRESENTER
Hori Thompson (New Zealand Fashion Designer)
He was really deadly! REAL and RAW. Love the presentation and the message behind his
new collection. Its controversial and in your face - but it makes people talk!
Expression through Fashion! (this is going to be my new saying!)
The idea behind "HORI" is a blending of not only of Mãori culture but also a snowboarding
and surfing culture and style. like our nations Haka "HORI" dares to be different and
to challenge people’s views. (Even when it may not seem so politically correct to do so)
http://hori.bigcartel.com/
FARBIC AGENTS
TESSUTI MAX
Max Luksich - WHAT A SALESMAN - I want EVERYTHING!
PATTERN MAKING
EDWINA LYE
OHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my god!! She is INSANE! But I cant afford her!
She has worked for Red and Ruby, Ksubi, Josh Goot, Wayne Cooper and Pigs In Space.
At the end of workshop 11, we all said our goodbyes to the fashion family and made our way
back to the hotel. The realisation that this will be the last workshop, hit some people hard.
I know I am going to miss this part of the journey, but here is to new beginnings and opportunities!
Now the real work begins - I have a three week deadline until the big show!
2014 AIFW Presentation to some of the high profile industry professionals - the fashion elite!
Panel members will consist of:
Sophie Nixon - Senior Designer (WILLOW/ Sass n Bide)
Akira Isogawa
Josh Goot
Billie White house - CEO White house Institute of Design
On the 25 & 26 October 2013 - each designer will be given a 20 minutes time slot
to present their collection concepts and draft budget to the panel.
Our selection criteria we all are working on at the moment.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Designer Statement
- Vision Statement
- Eight complete Looks (including Hair, Make-up, Shoes and Accessories)
- Colour & Fabrication Palette
- Swatches of Trims, Prints and Embellishments
- Range Plan
- Runway Plan
- Production Plan (November 2013 to February 2014)
- Draft Budget
Hard at work, no rest for the wicked but all the worth it -What an opportunity
I have been given! I know that some people would kill to have!
I want to show ATP why they chose me to be part of this journey, show myself how far I have
come... To show my family, my community and my people that you can achieve anything
you put your mind to, as long as your work hard, remain passionate and NEVER give up!
Until next time...keep dreaming, keep believing and never give up on your dreams!
TJ xoxox
.jpg)
