Garth Cook Interview

I first heard of Garth and his work in 2010 when he was a guest at Zara Bysons Fashion Friday at the Globe Restaurant, I did my research and I got the chance to find out more about Garth back in the day when he worked for Marios Schwab and Husem El Odeh for three months as an intern in 2007 and recently worked at Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou and Antipodium. This was only for a day each when he was in London last. “As I wanted to have a sneak peak into some studios and how they worked.” Since then times have changed and Garth is creating a name for himself his designs are darkly delicious with just enough colour to keep me wanting more.

Last May Garth Cook showcased his S/S12 collection ‘Noveau Clone” at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week... That simply was not enough, it also featured at Last Septembers Perth Fashion Festival and quite easily one of my favourite collections and runway shows of the week! The sneaky cuts, and the graphic print was incredible. Actually GarthCook’s Noveau Clone collection is heavily printed in my mind and I am lucky enough to have one of the pieces in my wardrobe!

Then just this March Garth presented his A/W12 collection ‘The Outlook Hotel” at Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festivals Independent Runway which was hosted by Yen, again the collection was outstanding but so different to his previous collection, inspired by the horror movie ‘The Shining” which featured a number of dark grungy looks... And now if just a few short weeks time Garth Cook will be showcasing his Spring Summer Collection of 2013 at Perth’s first ever Savoir Faire Perth Fashion Week. I emailed him in time for a quick little interview.

When did you start designing & what influenced you to become more focused on your own label rather than working in other fashion houses?

I have always had an interest in fashion but was actually a fine jewellery designer for many years. Before I relocated to London I interned with a few W.A labels and then started to work with Marios Schwab who worked in collaboration with Husam El Ohdeh with jewellery. It was a great combination given my background. It was not until I had completed this internship that I had actually started to really learn about the trade. Once I finished up with Schwab I started designing a small capsule collection that was shown in Styleaid in 2009 and won me the absolute emerging designer award.

What have you been up to since your September summer collection runway show at Perth’s Fashion Festival, you moved back to London but you are back again, a little more permanent or are you just here for your shows?

 I am back for good! I relocated temporarily as my partner was working in the UK at the time and we were uncertain when he would be able to return. Luckily we figured out a way to move home.

Seasons change as do your collections, the aesthetic to each collection is quite different from the last. Do you find as each time comes to create a new collection you are inspired to what is around you?

The past few seasons have had really different inspirations but the aesthetic is still the same. It has been a really long process trying to figure out exactly what my aesthetic is and in this new collection I have drawn on past pattern cutting but have made the shape far more feminine and free. So many of my garments before have been so body conscious  where this range still relate to the body really well but is an easier wear. This collection is actually about me as a designer not from a direct inspiration. The collection is about reflection along with things that I love including floral photography, orchids, art deco. Nouveau and 1920 to 1950.

All your designs use such beautiful fabrics, draping and cuts, what inspires you to use a variety of fabrics in your designs?

I think it is really important to have a diverse fabric selection. In previous seasons I have offered a lot of choice but have never been able to sample each fabric. This collection I reduced the size of the styles and then produced each style in the fabric on offer which has worked really well. This season had a nice selection of evening and day fabrics. The digital prints that I have designed come in a silk/cotton blend for everyday wear and then silk georgette for evening.

What were your influences for this collection & What can we expect from your 2013 Spring Summer runway show at Perth Fashion Week?

Contemporary cutting with modern textiles that feels a little vintage... Haha sounds odd but it has that feel I also have some strong silhouettes in the show especially in the silk lace or Lurex garments.

Luckily for us the show is just a few hours away! I should really be getting ready but here I am slumped over my laptop! Can't get to the show? Enjoy the sneak peeks of the collection throughout the post! More after the show...

Skinny Boy...

Caught up with Bon briefly yesterday afternoon for a late lunch! And to pick up what seats I could grab for this year’s Perth Fashion Week at the Perth Convention Centre! I’ll be heading to just a couple of shows this weekend starting off with Garth Cook later on today. Always feel like batman whenever I wear this One Teaspoon top...

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Im Wearing: Literally every silver chain in my jewellery box, and skull related piece! (Including my new Karen Walker ring from the gorgeous Adrienne)

One Teaspoon Mystics Cape, Sass & Bide Skinny Boy Jeans, Betts Boots & Market frames.

It's a rare occasion to see me in pants... These are the only jeans I currently own at this point in time and I wouldnt even call them denim. Sass & Bide call them Skinny Boys and they are the ultimate vice! Keep your eyes peeled for a chit chat with Garth & more from the shows here too!

Also check out Bonnie on Fridays Kid for even more delightful posts

Reflect

Saw this details post on the Love Aesthetics blog... The first photo is from Ivanias latest post, the shoes if you can believe it are from Topshop and they are now on there way to my place to join the army of black shoes in my wardrobe!

Friday Morning

So yesterday I caught up with Bonnie for breakfast and blog posts! Yup I really enjoy my treat of nutella on sourdough and TWO lattes (the glasses are tiny) at the Cheeky Sparrow once a week with Bon... This week has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride but I'm rested up and ready for next week. Went back down to our regular alleyway and for once there were no bins because we came on Friday! Yes! got to wear in my new boots too.

 

 

Im Wearing: Neon Hart vest, Acne Darling dress, Wittner Boots, Backstage skeletal bracelet, Lovisa cuffs & bracelets...

The most beautiful weather right now, slight chill in the morning but not enough that requires a jacket or jumper for that matter. This vest is perfect, I've been on the hunt for a real leather vest of a simlar style but I've had no luck this PU vest by Neon Hart keeps me happy! Yup I've worn the dress before but I love it and I think this time it looks completely different. Such a versatile number!  

Psssst how completely ridiculous is this skeleton like bracelet... I nearly choked when I saw this little number online not to mention a number of other lustful accessories!

Sydel.

Just picked up these cute little boots from Wittner yesterday I needed something a little different to boring flats for work and my other boots have seen better days, But I will wear them until they fall off my feet. In the meantime I have been meaning to invest in some other type of flat shoe so these are perfect I love the different texture.

White Hot

My ACNE dress is easily my most favourite items in my wardrobe... the cut of the dress is amazing, this is what I love about ACNE clean lines, beautiful cuts and some pretty incredible draping, I'm always keeping my eyes open for new pieces to drop in Online stores and in the few Perth stores that offer ACNE and naturally I keep my eyes open for anything of the new ACNE collection. The collection is white hot, completely white all over. If only I wasn’t such a grub I wish I could keep and all white ensembles... all white!

It's a feast for the eyes, if you however are not a grub I seriously encourage you to indulge in one of their beautiful pieces!

However I would't mind a pair of the shorts or that gorgeous skirt in picture number 8 or even the skirt from number 9... Yes I could go on.

Quilted Leather Roses...

If I could own all these pieces... Life would be incredible! Yup these three items of quilted leather would make me ridiculously giddy. These three pieces are from Josh Goots Winter collection, I love that roses feature in both of his most recent collections the way he uses floral is different to the other floral prints we have been seeing from other designers. If only I had three grand lying around... However if you happen to have the dosh you can find them at Green With Envy... And thats exactly how I will be feeling if you buy any of these beautiful leather pieces.

Mr Goot.

Although we are heading into Winter I cannot wait until summer... Once again I always seem to find myself chasing the collections which are months away from being available, not that really matters I hardly doubt my bank account would appreciate it if I caught all these deliriously amazing collections.

However after falling head over heels in love with Goot’s winter collection that was presented at this year’s LMFF it’s only been a few weeks and now this beautiful array of orchids, lilies, roses and neoprene has been released as Josh Goot’s  Spring/Summer collection 12-13.

Goot’s trademark in my eyes would easily be his beautiful variety of prints. Season in and season out each printed piece has been a work of art and I would happily have all of them hung in my wardrobe.  However this print is a little different to his previous prints, the all jump out on the crisp white backgrounds! Neoprene makes a feature again in this collection and I welcome it I love this fabric and the way these designs are cut is perfect, sharp lines and just a few asymmetrical hems here and there. Give me more Goot!

 Loving all of it! The citrus yellow is beautiful and then the rose print just above? Just divine! If you want to check out more of the collection head to Russh, Instyle or Pedestrian TV

And check out Josh Goots previous collections here

Viva La Vida!

What a damn talented blogger! Check out this AMAZING lookbook from Purse n Boots... Quite easily one of the most awesome little lookbooks I have seen in a while! I love siesta day of the dead themed lookbooks!