Recollection

Posted on 26 March, 2015

The stunning beauty of Australian native parrots, with their rich, bright colours and unique markings, have always been near and dear to Philippa Soutberg. And parrots are the inspiration behind the fashion designer’s new collection, to be launched on the red-carpet at FASHFEST 2015.

“I have a photo of when I was little, of parrots flying all around me,” says 22-year-old Philippa, who owns and operates the label ‘Recollection’.

“The photo was taken in Queensland on one of our family trips. I’ve always loved looking at it and am so conscious how birds enrich our lives here in Australia, including in the bush capital where I was born and raised.”

Philippa was reminded of the photo after she stumbled across an art exhibition in July 2014 by long-lost high school friend, 22-year-old Jayenna (Jay) Dall, an emerging artist who creates pattern drawings and fantasy landscapes with pen, paint and digital effects.

“The use of colour, pattern and layering at the ‘Acromatic—Art by Jay Dall‘ exhibition, held at the Canberra Institute of Technology, caught my eye,” says Philippa.

“Jay’s passion is in making art that creates a vivid, harmonious state of mind in the viewer. I could instantly see how her style of art and designs would work well with the theme of my new collection so I approached her about a collaboration. It was instant excitement on both sides.”

The next step was for Philippa to write a brief to give Jay as a kick-start to a print design which would feature in Recollection’s 2015 spring/summer collection.

“Crimson rosellas, king parrots, galas and other native parrots were all included in the brief, but in the end, Jay chose the rainbow lorikeet,” says Philippa.

“She drew a single image of a lorikeet and then manipulated it three ways through Photoshop to create three detailed, intimate patterns. They were perfect and I couldn’t settle on one, so selected two. The fabric was then produced and the design of garments began.”

The name of the collection is ‘Budyan’, which the Ngunnawal Elders Council in the ACT has confirmed is the most appropriate translation for the word ‘bird’.

The principle for the 2015 collection stays true to the thinking behind Recollection, but will push the independent label to the next level.

Recollection offers quality, innovative and Australian-inspired fashion with imagery and prints designed to remind the wearer of home. This is Philippa’s second year showcasing her work at FASHFEST.

Philippa’s fashion is inspired by her personal experiences of travelling through Australia’s natural and rural landscape. The fashion designer wants to connect with consumers who share a similar appreciation of this country’s natural environment and of clothing that reminds them of travelling when home and of home when travelling.

Recollection aims to inspire wearers to renew their appreciation of the beauty of Australia’s natural flauna and flora, even when living in urban environments and surrounded by cityscapes.

Philippa’s collections are practical yet sophisticated by design. This is fashion that doesn’t follow the latest trends. Rather, Recollection is about timeless pieces that are enjoyable to wear over many years.

Garments are made for Australian women aged between 25 and 45 years of age, who are educated, interested in their surroundings and have a fine appreciation of art and fashion.

Philippa’s 2015 collection will differ in fabric choice, with lighter, flowy fabrics a feature. All garments are designed and manufactured in Canberra.

Philippa, who completed her Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design) at Canberra Institute of Technology (2013), will have her collection available at Day 5, to be hosted by FASHFEST on Sunday 17 May. At Day 5, customers have a chance to talk to the designer direct about garments and get measured up to have a piece made if stock isn’t on hand.

So get ready and glammed up because FASHFEST is just seven weeks away!

The essentials
What: Fashfest
When: 13 to 16 May 2015
Where: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Tickets: Available now
Web: www.fashfest.com.au