Designer DETAIL - Marnie Skillings
Whimsical girlie dresses, introducing Marnie Skillings current collection.
Marnie Skillings stepped into the Australian fashion radar eight years ago at Australian Fashion Week 2000 as part of a ready-to-wear group show with three other graduates of East Sydney Technical College. Since then, she has steadily grown from a unique young talent to watch, into one of Australia's most respected designers with a style that is all her own.
Completely modern but definitely vintage in feel at the same time, her quirks and eccentricities are what Skillings fans have grown to love. Lady like and never flashy, the Skillings look is utterly edgy and in fashion, but is a something your Grandmother might approve of.
The Marnie Girl loves a pop of colour, and along side the endless stream of whimsical girlie dresses featuring ruffles, patchwork, lace paneling and crochet, don't be surprised to see a boyish man-style v-neck knit or oversized man-style blazer worn in a perfectly casual way.
Her collections to date have been inspired by a diverse range of sometimes obscure subjects including the pattern on a broken china cup found buried in the dirt and the jubilant shades of the Mexican "Day of The Dead" festival. The label is also known for its use of natural fabrics - be that soft, washed silks, Italian merino wools, or hand-loomed lace made in France.
Original prints always feature in a Skillings collection. Florals are ever present, however alternative prints have appeared over the seasons including a fleeting moment with skulls in Winter 07, and this seasons print for Winter 08; a delightful imaginary landscape reminiscent of a fin de siecle Degas ballerina painting.
Skillings understanding of colour, print and texture has enabled her to clearly execute her unique talent for what she has called in the past her 'Puzzle' dresses. Combining segments of unexpectedly complimentary fabrics including multiple prints such as florals and polka dots, brocade, lace borders and crochet Skillings stitches them together into girlie, feminine and fun frocks that are completely playful but subtly graphic at the same time.
The current collection, Hand of Fete, Skillings offering for AW08 is typically romantic yet fresh and edgy at the same time. Inspired by the spirit of the circus she has approached the collection with a fresh focus on simplicity and a new take on classic shapes.
The ballerina print 'Encrusted dress', a relaxed shift dress, worn above the knee with cap sleeve is a delight - the simple shape lets the fabric speak for itself and with a scattering of tiny sequins across it's shoulders it is a highlight.
April 07 saw Skillings realise a long held creative dream when she opened her first flagship boutique in Sydney's Woollahra and is stocked in prestigious boutiques throughout Australia and internationally in Indonesia, Italy, Canada, the UK and the US.
Skillings has a strong following of celebrity fans including Mischa Barton and Kylie Minogue. In 2006 she was named Pantene Young Woman of the Year in the Fashion category.
Marnie Skillings Boutique:
123 Edgecliff Road,
Woollahra NSW 2025,
(02) 9369 1791
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