Reflecting upon my own homesickness throughout the many lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic was how this collection began. Like many, I turned to escapism as a method of coping with rapid unpredictable changes.

 

Homecoming is a celebration of the native bushland that surrounds my childhood home, a place that has brought me peace for many years. Representing this through women’s evening wear was an easy choice as the process of wearing a gown is a form of escapism itself. I wanted to create a sentiment in the wearer that these garments are as precious as the plants they represent so choosing garment types that represent special occassions was a natural fit. 

 

Working primarily with silks I focused on using heliographic (sun) printing throughout this collection so I could use foliage directly from the River Red Gum and Black Wattle trees to create unique ghost prints. Using the trees themselves develops an intimate connection between plant and design. 

 

Drawing inspiration from the nature I am surrounded by, has allowed me to create garments that may bring some attention to the elegant resilience of these trees, which are now mostly lost to farmland around the Shepparton region.

 

This collection, which brings me a great sense of peace, I hope will bring environmental awareness, tranquillity, and comfort to others as we all persist in this pandemic together.