It’s been a while since I’ve done an article on a designer. I absolutely love fashion journalism so I thought I would get back into it. I had previously done reviews on well-established designers such as Jason Wu and Marc Jacobs. These designers have enough opinions and analysis’ floating around the internet. So I thought I would instead target low key and upcoming designers; whether they are local Australian designers or newly established international brands. I find that new brands are their most adventurous at the beginning: experimenting with obscure silhouettes, fabric combinations and interesting textures. I will give brief overviews of the collection and/or designer, and list my three favourite elements of the collection. If there are any designers you’d like me to critique, please tell me on my contact page. I want to cater to what my readers like (for those of you who do read my blog!)
The designer I’d like to profile today is Christina Exie – the winner of the fourth season of Project Runway. These types of televised competitions rarely produce successful winners that have long and prosperous careers, but Christina’s Bass SS13/14 Collection, which made its way down the Mercedes Benz runway in Sydney this year, proved that her talents have far outstretched the TV series. Christina Exie will definitely be one to look out for not only in Australia, but on an international scale.
Bass is sci-fi chic; being matrix inspired. Christina’s profile quotes that “Christina Exie garment boasts the highest quality fabric, technique and construction” which is true with her use of plastic neon netting, leather and mesh fabrics to construct silhouettes which ranged from outrageous peplum silhouettes to sleek, squared, floor length lines.
My favourite three elements:
1. From Trash to Treasure
Some of Christina’s pieces could have started out as a garbage bag, but flexing her fashion muscles, she was able to mould them into amazing pieces that could be transported off the runway
2. Detachable Peplum
Detachable peplum belt are one of my favourite tangents of the peplum trend. I already have two basic peplum belts. But Christina has transcended the traditional peplum to create an asymmetrical masterpiece that would make any plain outfit come to life. The diversity between the softer look of the sheer fabrics and the boldness of the stiff metallic make it ideal for every woman’s style.
3. Geometry
Christina actually states that her collection was inspired by the visibility of sound – hence the title ‘Bass’ – studying the movement of particles that shows them scatter in various geometric patterns. The geometry in her collection is not only apparent in the outlines of her pieces but on the garments themselves. The monochrome pants show off her creativity to go beyond the black stripe down the side: the combinations of circular, triangular and square shapes create interesting designs that are unlike any other. Also the ‘Digital’ vests and coats show a great contrast with circular netting combined with the squared, mandarin collar and overall outline of the garment.
To view the entire Bass collection and Christina’s previous collections visit her page here.
