Designer DETAIL - Thurley
Thurley set to rule the runway.
Helen O’Connor, the founder and creative force behind fashion label ‘Thurley’ continues to excite the international fashion scene with her latest collection.
Having debut in the Winter 06 at L’Oreal Fashion Festival to rave reviews from retailers, celebrities and the press, Thurley continues to attract the attention of the woman who loves to feel elegant, timeless, and beautiful in their clothing.
In the beginning.
Helen O’Connor’s love of all things fashion started at a young age, starting her on the path to the designer she is today.
”My earliest influence was my grandmother who was a professional seamstress, she taught me to sew about about age 8 and from there my passion really began to evolve. Another major influence was my love of fabrics, particularly delicate handcrafted European textiles. I used to buy very small pieces of it, as that was all I could afford, and craft my designs around the fabric,” Helen says.
After completing an advertising and then a fashion degree at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Helen was granted a scholarship to further her fashion studies at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. The creative energy of New York and years of local experience working with iconic Melbourne fashion brand Scanlan & Theodore inspired Helen to launch Thurley.
Reaping the rewards
The Thurley label started 2008 with a bang, with Helen being the only Melbourne label to be nominated for L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Designer Award Presented by Woolmark.
“One of the highlights of my career would have to be being a finalist in the Woolmark design Award this year, the level of work from other finalist is so amazing that its truly an honor to be amongst them,” Helen says.
“Also, I’m really excited about Thurley being picked up by international store Harvey Nichols, E-tailer Net-A-Porter and David Jones, it is such an amazing privilege to a part of these companies product mix.”
Fashion Festival Fun
Next on the agenda for Thurley is the Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, kicking off on the 3rd of March. This is Helen 3rd outing at this prestigious festival, having debuted her label on the runways at the event in 06.
“LMFF is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the range directly to the customer. As it showcases the current range in stores we have to cherry pick the highlight pieces from the winter range to best represent Thurley. This can be very tricky as I am emotionally attached to every style, however it is edited down to 15 outfits which will be seen on the runway,” says Helen.
”The Thurley show will display our traditional feminine classic dresses made from French laces and trims. There will be highlights of strong beading juxtaposed with sharp 60's silhouettes. The more feminine looks are contrasted by sleek tailored jackets and pants in Italian wools. There is also an element of layering in the collection for the cold Melbourne winter with textured wool knit coats, trimmed with vintage leather belts.”
A neutral colour palette makes a bold contrast against jet black, while winter white, smoky greys, and charcoals create a sleek, urban look. Highlights of violet and fire red add strength and visual impact to the look. The finest French and Austrian Lace has been expertly cut into garments, adding a luxurious touch to the collection. Sharply defined nickel and gunmetal beading has been applied to hemlines for a sophisticated textural edge.
This season, the label has also added longer line knits to the collection for a more formal look, again cinched at the waist with leather belts for versatile layering and warmth during the cooler months.
“My Favorite two pieces from the Winter collection are the Rib trim Jacket and the Baroque dress. The Rib trim jacket is tailored from the finest ivory and black Italian tweed and I have inserted panels of rib trim in the arms and side seams for added comforts and form fit. I have also trimmed it with a multi stitched black leather belt which chinches in the waist,” Helen says. “The Baroque dress was designed around the Italian lace panel at the front of the dress. It has been draped at the back and pleated at the front to skim over the body in a butter soft silk.”
Exciting times ahead
Helen has big plans for Thurley, starting with more international expansion.
“I am definitely aiming to continue expanding the brand internationally. We currently have stockist in USA, Asia and London however I would love to see the label reach amazing countries that are renowned for their style like France, Italy and increasingly so Russia. I would also love to hold a catwalk show for Thurley in London or New York, it would be a dream to introduce my label into an international forum,” Helen finishes.
Thurley is represented nationally and internationally in over 80 of the worlds premium retailers including national department store DAVID JONES, International boutiques such as London’s Austique, Coco Ribbon and luxury fashion e-tailer Net-A-Porter; Elizabeth Charles - New York as well as Kelly’s Closet, Le Train Bleu and P.45 in the USA; CK Tank Singapore and Malaysia, Lucy’s House in Jakarta. For more information, visit www.thurley.com.au.
FEATURES
