DAY ZERO - Sunday April 26, 2009 at 7pm
FRIEDRICH GRAY
UTS Atrium Building
Trans Season 2
TRANSGRESSION
FRIEDRICH GRAY
UTS Atrium Building
Trans Season 2
TRANSGRESSION
The continuum of the Friedrich Gray character is here.
Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray presented his Trans Season 2 collection on the eve of Australian Fashion Week. The off schedule show was opened by nineties model Emma Balfour (currently on the cover of i-D magazine) at the University of Sydney's Atrium building, where media, buyers, industry and guests of the designer filled out the space and the rafters to welcome Pollitt's 8th collection appropriately titled 'Transgression.'
trans×gres×sion [trans-gresh-uh n] - An art form that aims to overstep the boundaries of convention. Exploring the limits of subversion, eroticism and counterculture, redefining the rules in the process.
Inspirations for the collection were drawn from the David Lynch Film ‘Dune’. In particular, Lynch’s unique artistic ability to use each frame to create emotionally charged scenes through the use of negative space, shadow lighting and the absence and presence of the body. The architecture of Zaha Hadid, designer of the Phaeno Centre in Germany, influenced Pollitt to push the boundaries of modern design with a focus on visual line geometry.
'Transgression' resumes the androgynous narrative of the Friedrich Gray brand, using long silhouettes and mixing luxurious fabrics with washed and treated leathers. This season envisions a move away from the conventional constructs of traditional seasonal palettes. Colour is instead injected into the collection through the inclusion of saturated film colours and prints – green, yellow, orange, blue and red. Washed green leather and dusty whites dramatically set off the dark pieces. The twist on the recognisable minimalist colour palette and a strong focus on the touch and feel of the super soft fabrics and textures create a line that is distinctly Friedrich Gray. Draped and clean elegant feminine lines see a stronger push towards women's wear this season while the Men are still well catered for with the dark aesthetic Friedrich Gray has become known for.
Luxurious leather jackets and the new season’s print (a collaboration between Pollitt and contemporary artist Scrapwall), which literally documents their conversations over previous seasons onto fabric. Think Positive Designer Prints in Sydney digitally printed onto Australian Merino Wool (using technology that is unique to Friedrich Gray in Australia) and also seen on silk georgette. These patterns are featured prominently throughout the body of the collection as design inserts and engineered placements to compliment the cut and drape of the garment.
A Limited Edition digital print dress called “House Atreides” offers a limited run of only 20. This dress was worn by prominent, iconic model Emma Balfour. Friedrich Gray also teamed with MOMO Design for the pivotal point of the show with their sleek modern helmet designs (see attached image). The show gave attendees a glimpse into the futuristic journey to Geidi Prime, as the protagonist Friedrich Gray. From the beginnings atop the mountain into the darkness of wild swamps, towards the light of the morning and into the futuristic vision of the world we live in.
SHOW CREDITS: Producer - Rachel Tuffery, Hair Director - Jon Pulitano for GHD, Make Up Director - Natasha Severino for Make-Up Store, Skin Care – Declaré Switzerland, Nails – Creative Nail Design, Women’s Shoes – Peep Toe and Zu customised by Friedrich Gray, Men’s Shoes – Marsu Homme, Helmets – Momo Design, Production - PRONTO Productions, Music Direction - Jono Ma and Adam Drage, PR - Little Hero, Sponsorship - Leticia Dare and Little Hero
SPONSORS: Declaré Switzerland, MOMO Design, GHD, Westfield, ROCK Energy Drinks, Think Positive Designer Prints, The Make Up Store, Creative Nail Design, IKU Whole Food, ABSOLUT Vodka, Emma & Tom’s, Smiggle, Marsu Homme, Peep Toe Shoes, Zu
