Saffron O'Neill
Biography:
Saffron is an emerging fashion design graduate, situated in NSW’s South Coast. Her background consists of visual arts, having studied this subject for 2 years. She uses this knowledge of the arts in her designs, marrying together the two worlds. She has an eye for sustainability, with a love of up-cycling denim, and experiments with self-made textures - this can be seen in past projects such as ‘Fray’ and her most recent, ‘Regal Rebellion’. Whilst studying at Whitehouse Institute of Design, she has honed her skills in pattern making, construction, illustration and digital design, and is looking forward to furthering her industry-based knowledge.
Design Statement:
‘Regal Rebellion’ is a fashion design collection that marries the grandeur of the Elizabethan era with the contemporary aesthetics of deconstruction, embroidery, and workwear fabrics. The inspiration for this collection comes from the Elizabethan era, a time of elaborate garments, luxurious fabrics, and a rigid social hierarchy. By deconstructing the traditional silhouettes and reimagining them with a modern twist, the collection is challenging past conventions. Embroidery is used in the collection, mainly inspired by portraits of the 1600 and 1700s, and of women in power through the ages. By using embroidery the collection is adding a touch of regality, craftsmanship, and texture. Traditional workwear fabrics, such as pinstripe and denim are incorporated to add an unexpected edge to the collection. These fabrics, typically associated with functionality and practicality, are transformed into statement pieces. This juxtaposition of opulence and deconstruction, traditional embroidery and workwear fabrics, creates a collection that is both visually captivating and conceptually thought-provoking.
