By Ian Neubauer

Students at Raffles College of Design and Commerce held a fashion show in Sydney this week inspired by and in reflection of the current state of economic insecurity and fear.

Held at contemporary art centre Carriageworks on Tuesday (December 9), ‘The Armourists’ featured 90 catwalk pieces created by 30 students. It included soft tailoring and evening wear inspired by medieval influences, the Dark Ages and notions of protection, with make up sponsored by Lancôme Paris.

An armoury inspired creation by Raffles
fashion student Solomon Harrislight
(Photgraph courtesy of Alessandro Viscontini)

Raffles College program director – fashion, Robert de Giovanni, said students were enthusiastic about creating garments in response to such a topical issue.

“It’s important for our graduates to realise that fashion does not operate in an isolated world. Fashions change to adapt to social, cultural, technological and political influences,” he said.

“We prepare our students for working in the fashion industry by encouraging them to engage with various aspects of the wider world, and to reflect those ideas and encounters in their designs and creations.

“This ultimately exposes them to the practical side of the fashion industry, where the garments they create can make a statement about the world and connect with people, their beliefs and their lifestyles,” he said.

The event was the culmination of the academic year for Raffles students majoring in fashion design. It also featured final-year work from Tafe students from across NSW, international students residing in the state and the work of recent interns of high-profile Australian fashion designers Akira Isogawa and Kit Willow.