Currently browsing Gary Bigeni
Runway of this collection via For-Tomorrow: here.
Photography by Samuel Willett for F-T
Gary Bigeni wore Song for the Mute head to toe on the day of the show as seen in the last image.
For-Tomorrow photography by Samuel Willett.
This interview has been conducted via the PR Agent (MCMPR) of Gary Bigeni. Please refer to this post for his full collection.
Gary Bigeni: Coming of Age
Gary Bigeni’s eponymous label has become the contemporary Australian brand for fluid basics, form-fitting drapery, modern knitwear and more recently luxurious soft leathers. This year Bigeni turns 30, and in lieu of this coming of age, he’s produced his most self-reflective collection to date, and one that truly pulls him into the limelight as an international talent.
For autumn/winter 2011, Bigeni extends from the traditional colour palette, drawing inspiration from contemporary American painter Jacob Lawrence for a truly insightful offering.
We spent five minutes with Bigeni as he presented his latest collection in the MCMPR showroom.
What is it that you identify with in Jacob Lawrence’s work and how does it reflect in your collection?
I identify with the use of colour in his work. He creates colours within shape and shape within a picture. This is how I’d like to look at my work progressing forward.
This collection feels even more personal than the others. Do you feel you’ve gone deeper into yourself via exploration of Lawrence’s work?
This collection feels more reflective of my own personal style and as a result sees an exploration of colour in everyday life. Colour is part of life and can reflect someone’s feelings and reactions. Like myself, I want my customers to not be afraid of colour. We’re only human.
What’s different in this collection from past?
I have further developed my use of leather, inserting it as panels into cashmere tailoring to create a colour-blocking effect. I also added heavier knits to the collection for the first time providing different texture options.
How should it be worn?
I like women to look at my collection and be able to relate to it. I want the wearer to create her own look with my pieces that suits her everyday life.
Your own personal style is quite different to the collections you produce for women – how do you separate the two?
I love how they are different; I feel life doesn’t have to be about matching things. It can be a funny puzzle that only I know how it goes together.
There’s a lot of detail in specific pieces this season. What should your customers really look out for this time?
My customers should look out for the stunning midnight blue one seam silk crepe dress, caramel cashmere dinner jacket with a leather panel across the back, and a sublime lime green collarless leather jacket. Also my signature draping pieces in the jersey are timeless investments, they are clean, chic and can go with anything.
