I know a lot of people (myself included) are beginning the new year with a more considered approach to wardrobe building. For me, it will be strictly second hand, seeking versatile, experimental pieces I'll get mileage out of. Buying better, buying less.
Also, I'm not sure why (older, lazier?), but lately I have been unconsciously constructing a little regular-rotation capsule that I'm gravitating towards again and again when I dress myself.
With this in mind, I dedicated the first collection of 2024 to ESSENTIALS. Easy-wearing, reliable vintage staples. Go-to wardrobe building blocks that require minimal thought.
Here I styled some favourite pieces from this collection to illustrate their versatility and essential-ness.
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You don't have to have it all worked out before you go, but I like to ensure everything I'm packing can be worn with everything else. This will give you many combinations / options even if you're packing very light. If there is one red top that matches only one pair of pants, it shouldn't come with. Everyone must get along.
Two light skirts? I don't think so. Three black dresses? Choose one!
Ask yourself, "Is this item doing the same thing as this other item?" and then pack the superior version.
Limited choice stimulates creativity. It's fun to pack experimental pieces like skirts that can be worn as dresses, dresses that wear well over pants, silk scarves that can be worn as tops / bandanas / belts.
Lush, breathable, lightweight. You can fit 3 silk pieces to one cotton tee. The crinkles? My friend Leisa taught me to hang pieces near the shower to steam them and you can also lightly spritz silk with water and it will dry without creases.
100% travel necessity that I've taken overseas on my last 10 trips and worn constantly. They unlock so many tops and are extremely comfy.
Accessories may seem fiddly but they don't take up much room and they can add a new spin to a repeated look. The same dress can be refreshed with a new scarf / little belt / necklace. I often like to grab trinkets along the way to help with this aspect.
Last year for me it was a reversible silk wrap dress, black on one side, sage on the other. It was minimal but always made me feel put together and I could wear it to the beach or dinner.
This old chestnut. Pack and leave 30% behind. I struggle with this myself. But there are always at least 5 things in my suitcase I never wear, the trick is selecting the weaklings. The more you leave behind = the more space for new finds. Imagine the heartbreak of going to a Spanish flea market and not being able to get anything cause your suitcase is overfull already? Channel this.
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Meet the artist behind the Art Silk collection, Leisa Wake.
Dressed entirely in Art Garments, linked image credits follow the interview.
Tell me a bit about your 9 to 5
And what was the road that led you to creating these pieces for Grace?
As a wearer of Art Garments and friend of Grace’s for the best part of the last decade, I’ve followed the evolution of her brand into the Art Garments you see today. Lovers of the shop will know that many of the singular vintage items Grace sources are like art pieces in themselves.
Grace came to me with a desire to introduce her own line of wearable art ~ art garments if you will.
So we set out together to transform the humble silk scarf into a multi-functional square and runner that would encourage the art of dressing. We both share a love of collecting inanimate objects and setting tables (more on that to come in 2021!), so this became the perfect subject for the collection.
What is your design process like?
A concept is important to anchor my decisions and weave a narrative throughout my work. I then gather physical subject matter to paint from, and trawl photos for colour inspiration. I usually can’t rest until I’ve experimented with lots of elements and compositions, and since indecisiveness is one of my greatest downfalls I can find my design process quite tormenting!
Sometimes I’m satisfied with the arrangement I’ve done by hand, or else I’ll digitally fiddle. Digitally printing my artworks allows me freedom to experiment, and know that all the detail and softness and intensity will be come to life on fabric.
Overall, my design process can be either elating or anxiety inducing. Learning when to push through or come back with fresh eyes is always a hard line to find.
It became a companion to each of the Still Life scarves, picking up on colours within each artwork. The colour balance was tricky. I had to hit the perfect lack of contrast so that you get a dreamy haze over your eyes where the two colours melt together, but inject enough contrast so that there is a tension that makes the colours pop.
Luen is a DJ and an amazing gardener.
You can listen to her mixes on soundcloud and follow her gardening tips via instagram @luenfreefree
Shot in all Art Garments vintage.
Look 1: Prada hat, paper jacket, Cavalli jeans, python heels
Look 2: Y2K dress
Look 3: Cow print dress & boots
Look 4: Prada hat, Gaultier top
May, 2019, Sydney.
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