Fashion - Honours

Luxe Amélioré

trophy Awarded

"Luxe Amélioré" (Improved Luxury), is a monochrome 2021 Graduate Collection inspired by the post Covid-19 cultural climate, which is predicted to see a tension between opulent and versatile consumption in contemporary fashion. This concept was inspired by the opulence and frivolousness of 18th Century French Court Dress, mixed with removable and transformable elements, such as sleeves and skirts, to increase garment versatility.

Bethany Partridge

Luxe Amélioré – Improved Luxury

Opulence & Versatility

To create a collection that explores this tension between functionality and opulence, I have drawn my inspiration from 18th century French history, in particular French royal history and their extravagance of dress, as well as trying to capture elements of the minimalistic and effortlessly chic modern Parisian women.

Post-lockdown psychology will likely see consumers “longing for opulence suppressed by strict austerity”

– Dior
Paris textile print

Textile Design

Having lived and worked in France, I often draw on French history and culture as inspiration. For my graduate collection, I created a Paris Streets print on cotton poplin and satin (see right).

Look Book

Luxe Amélioré is a 7 Look Autumn/Winter collection, consisting of everyday wear and evening wear.

Photographer – @visualsbyjaz
Models – Tania Chiesa, Krycelle Lance, Georgia Lynas & Merrilee Gunther

Illustrated Collection - 17 garments, 7 looks

Asymmectric

The asymmetrical theme you see throughout my collection is another way I use visuals to highlight the dissonance between elements. While accessories such as the tulle belt and skirt are added to create versatile opulence. The lines on tulle are a play on the original Paris print in a different medium and size.

Visual Denotations

One aspect that you may observe throughout my collection is the use of straight lines mixed with relaxed curves. These have been used intentionally to create visual denotations of restraint/restriction versus freedom and indulgence.

versatility

While opulent fashion will be a key driver as restrictions ease, during lockdown many consumers became attuned to their unsustainable consumption habits. As a result, fashion designer Alice McCall believes that consumers will start “investing in keepsake pieces” (Singer, 2020, para.9) which are “versatile for both workwear wardrobes and social occasional dressing” (Singer, 2020, para.9).

Student Film

Filmed by – Eric Tessmann, Mark Newman & Bethany Partridge
Edited by – Eric Tessmann
Original Music – Nicolas Tam

Bethany Partridge

Bethany is an emerging Australian Fashion and Textile Designer whose designs combine sophisticated and classic feminine silhouettes. She possesses strong trend forecasting, research and analysis skills, which heavily influencer the direction of her designs. She has attained a Bachelor of Design (Fashion)(Honours) at Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) at the University of Queensland. Her skills include technical drawings, specification packs, sewing, pattern making and garment fit knowledge. She also has two years industry experience as a Buying and Product Development Assistant for a local womenswear brand.