This is one young label to keep an eye on. Australian designer Dion Lee started his eponymous label in 2008. Soon after, at London Fashion Week, Lee made headlines by teaming up with Kanye West on a line of shoes presented with his Fall/Winter 2012 line. (A big breakthrough!) The very next year, Lee was one of the finalists for the Woolmark Prize.
His clothes are equal parts sophisticated and edgy – think sexy cut outs, mesh inserts and tailored silhouettes – even when he’s playing with strong monotones. Lee’s creations have even been spotted on the red carpet too, on Cara Delevingne and Diane Kruger. So we were thrilled to hear that his S/S ’16 collection, shown at New York Fashion Week, will be coming to India courtesy Kitsch and the web portal Rocknshop.com.
In fact, the co-founder of Kitsch, Priya Sachdev, caught up with Dion Lee right after his show. We listened in:
Priya Sachdev: What was the inspiration behind this line?
Dion Lee: “The collection started with the idea of warmth and texture, and wanting to create a line of clothes along similar lines. A lot of textiles that were developed were really about creating a sense of openness, things that kind of move away from the body, kind of allow air and light to move through the garment. We developed a lot of varying textiles. There is a combination of heavy technical jerseys and bonded jerseys, and some silks.”
PS: What did you find yourself experimenting with this season?
DL: “I think the woven textile is something that is quite unique to this collection, and I think [overall the line is] a study in movement and also experiments with volumes. I think it is those two things that kind of brought newness to this collection. Like the fluted hems that play with volumes but, in a way are kind of engineered. It is sculptural but in a soft way.”
PS: Could you pick three looks from the show that were your personal favourites?
DL: “I think I really love the woven black and white dress. That is really strong. And I think there’s quite a few of the tailored looks – in the really washed out, nude colours – that I really love as well.”
Kitsch, 5th & 6th Floor, Savanna Court, Guru Nanak Marg, Turner Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai. Tel: 022 3244 5293. D-17, Defence Colony, New Delhi. Tel: 011-46098212 Rocknshop.com
