In The Birdcage

EARTHLY DELIGHTS 2010

An investigation into post World War II fashion and the return to nature. The collection draws from the Belle Epoque ideal of long skirts, tiny waists and beautiful fabrics, traditional concepts of femininity, and the notion of ‘flower women.

This combined heightened technical knowledge from a combination of vintage couture techniques learnt from studding at London College of Fashion and an internship at Alexander McQueen women’s wear. The result, hip-emphasizing skirts, lace-edged slips, and petticoats that are hybridized into modern variations. Reworking classic wasp-waisted silhouette to a strong modern aesthetic. The garments range from padded-hip coats, elegant evening gowns, strong-shouldered tops and skirts. All presented in a stunning palette of yellow, raspberry and lavender contrasted against black and white.

Artist Tane Andrews and costumier Kira Goodey formed Australian fashion label – OF CABBAGES & KINGS – back in 2005,  and have enjoyed huge success with their collections.  Drawn together by a mutual respect for fine design, architectural history and insect entomology,  Andrews + Goodey sculpted their influences into wearable inimitable pieces which are at once both vulgar and eerily beautiful.   The duo’s foray into jewellery design carried immediate success, and saw the launch of three critically acclaimed collections. Their refined and delicate interpretations of shudder-inducing insects and anatomical parts earned them exposure in Vogue Living Australia, Oyster Magazine and a host of independent publications, and awards were not far behind.  OC&K were selected as finalists for SOYA (Quantas spirit of youth awards) in 2007 and formed part of the final 18 designers chosen for Design Now!, a national competition showcasing Australia’s most promising design talent.

It seemed natural that OC&K would take their distinct design aesthetic to fashion design, and 2008 witnessed the inaugural OC&K fashion collection.  Twisting the same macabre subject matter the duo had become known for into wearable fabric pushed the label to a higher level both creatively and publicly.  Their first collection was snapped up by Perth fashion Mecca Dilettante and the duo soon took their talents to London for an internship with fashion heavy weight, the late + great Mr Alexander McQueen.

From London they weaved their magic into the Australian spring/summer collection, to be shown at 2009 Style Aid and Perth Fashion Festival.   The duo soon caught the eye of Canadian electro band Dandi Wind, who demanded a series of costumes for film clips and an upcoming tour.  Clad in OC&K garments, Dandi Wind writhed her way through Asia and into cross-continental living rooms, and in an instant OC&K went global.   The culminating point came in Dandi Wind’s appearance, resplendent in OC&K, at the American music festival South by South West, in 2008.

The success in 2009 has continued unchecked, with OC&K’s current winter collection debuting at London Alternative Fashion Week to an overwhelming response.  Poised for international recognition the ambitious young designers from WA have London Fashion Week 2010 in their sights as part of the New Generation category and are determined to make the international fashion industry sit up and take stock of the talent Australia has to offer.

OF CABBAGES & KINGS

Tags: 2009 Style Aid, Alexander McQueen, Australian Fashion Designers, collections, Dandi Wind, Design Now!, Dilettante, jewellery design, Kira Goodey, London Alternative Fashion Week, London Fashion Week 2010, New Generation, OC&K, OF CABBAGES & KINGS, Oyster Magazine, Perth Fashion Festival, South by South West festival, SOYA (Quantas spirit of youth awards), Tane Andrews, Vogue Living Australia