AVE. Summer 2011/2012 Collection

I had a little chat with Australian designer  Sarah Taylor about her label AVE. and her Summer 2011/2011 collection. I adore the soft colours and the simplicity of each piece mixed in with the hardness of the hand dyed digital prints. I have written previously about my love for kimonos and capes and I love   the silhouette, print and detail of the Kimono in this collection. 

If you could only use 7 words, how would you describe AVE.?

Fresh, understated, soft, tailored, fashion forward, sophisticated. 

Where did you get your inspiration for this collection and what fabrics have you used?

Summer 2011/2012 was inspired by menswear detailing; suit shirts, tuxedo shirts and cumberbunds, with a contrast of classic womenswear with modern lines and using unpredictable print as a hard/soft element. All fabrics are custom dyed and digitally printed locally in Sydney using silk/cotton voile, silk organza, cotton/linen and Italian leather with accents of superfine cotton/model and spandex/model.

How did you get into fashion and were you into fashion as a child?

I have always been passionate about fashion and clothes. From when I was little I always noticed people that I thought dressed well, my favourite teacher was always the one who dressed the best, who was the most stylish and very elegant. 

From as long as I can remember, all I wanted to do was design clothes and dress people. I was lucky enough to have one very supporting teacher in my late senior years who informed me about East Sydney Tech, Sydney. I felt that if I couldn't get in there, I wasn't good enough to be a designer. First year out of high school I was accepted and completed their toughest course. Throughout the 4 year course I did internships with numerous Sydney designers that were really beneficial. 

The past 4 years I have worked for a few Sydney based labels, most recently Zimmermann as well as a year in New York styling for Antoine Verglas.

Who are your top 3 designers you follow and why?

Alexander McQueen - dare I say more... Proenza Schouler - so modern, so cleaver and Rodarte - beautiful textures and visionary with their prints and silhouettes. 

Where can people find your wonderful designs?

AVE. online pre-sale opens the end of August - avenueave.com 

Retail stores in Sydney - Estate of Mind, 277 Crown St Surry Hills, Sydney

                                       - Alfies Store 348 Darling St Balmain, Sydney