Carley Rose Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Interview

Raffles International Showcase at MBFWA

Raffles College of Design and Commerce is once again leading the charge with their cultivation of the best up-and-coming Australian design talent, showcasing seven designer's Resort '19 collections, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, for another year.

The Raffles International Showcase has been part of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia calendar since 2012 and is regarded as one of the most anticipated designer shows of MBFWA. Over the past six years, Raffles have showcased over 50 graduate's design collections, including both local and international talent. Constantly looking to push the boundaries of fashion and design, Raffles is pleased to be presenting at MBFWA once again.

The Raffles International Showcase at MBFWA 2018 will continue its precedence of disruption and innovation, presenting industry leaders with the best emerging Australian design talent.

Comprised of collections from seven Raffles graduate students, the International Showcase will present exciting design aesthetics alongside interesting uses of technology and design techniques. The collections will display read-to-wear pieces, accessible across all markets, including womenswear, contemporary menswear, couture design, and street wear.

Ultimately the International Showcase will look to reinforce Raffles' reputation as a premier fashion and commerce educator within Australia, allowing students access to the best education and talent within the fashion industry.

"The chosen designers have an incredibly bright future ahead of them and the standard of work is a testament to the talent and dedication of Raffles students nationally and internationally. We believe that the Raffles International Showcase really demonstrates our fashion-forward thinking and exposes our students to industry leaders" said Nicholas Comino, Program Director for Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing at Raffles College of Design and Commerce.

"We hope to give them the best possible support to create and present their individual brands throughout this process, so that the International Showcase can act as a real head start on their exciting fashion futures" comments Nicholas.

Continuing its reputation for excellence, Raffles will once again be collaborating with the best in the business at the International Showcase; Redken as the official hair partner and Utowa as the official makeup partner. Additionally, the seven designers will be receiving highly valuable business mentoring from the esteemed Lorraine Lock at The Design Residency, a partnership which has continued between Raffles and The Design Residency for the past three years.

The Raffles International Showcase will take place on Day 4 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia – 3pm, Wednesday 16th May at Gallery 1 in Carriageworks, Eveleigh

Raffles' designers and collections showing at MBFWA include:
Carley Bishop – Carley Rose The Label
Ginan Tabbouch –

GTAB

Ingrid Husodo – INGRID HUSODO
Ken Quoc Khang Nguyen and Tiana Ha Phuong Thao Van – VALUSTA
Leah Williams – Leah Williams
Mary Thanh-Ngan Quach and Alexandra Uyen Nguyen – A.M.
Vivian Tung - VIVIANTUNG

INSTAGRAM: @RafflesSydney
TWITTER: @RafflesSydney
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ RafflesSydney
WEBSITE: www.raffles.edu.au

Interview with Carley Rose

Carley Rose, the highly-skilled designer behind the self-titled brand Carley Rose The Label and from the NSW Central Coast, is only young but has already established herself as one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents within the Australian fashion industry!

Carley Rose The Label is an Australian womenswear brand that is centred on ethical production and sustainable sourcing. Carley will be showing her Resort '19 collection on Day 4 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2018 in the Raffles International Showcase.

Having previously graduated from Raffles College of Design and Commerce with a Bachelor of Design majoring in Fashion and having already shown in the Raffles International Showcase 2017, Carley is now a full-time fashion designer and represents some of the best emerging Australian design talent!

Bright colours, natural fabrications and artisan craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Carley Rose The Label, embodying the mantra of 'fashion with a conscience'. Carley is passionate about fashion and nature and very aware of the impact that this industry has on the planet. The challenge is for the two to co-exist and her goal is to create designs that appeal to both fashion lovers and ethically aware consumers alike.

Carley's designs are made in Australia from ethically sourced and low impact fabrications, including reclaimed textiles. She works closely with a small group of makers, artisanal beaders and knitters in Australia and India, to create each and every piece.

Through her involvement in the Raffles International Showcase, Carley hopes to inspire the fashion industry to think ethically and sustainably throughout their creative process.

"I'm excited to be showing at MBFWA for the second time in the Raffles International Showcase. I learnt so much from my first experience and I feel ready to present my brand to a wider audience. I'm so passionate about taking a more ethical and sustainable approach to fashion, without needing to sacrificing beauty and style. By harnessing sustainable recourses, and with the help of some talented artisans, we've put together something really special for this year's show. This collection explores the concept of Australia's mining history, and the positive and negative impacts the mining industry has had on our country" comments Carley on her upcoming presentation in the Raffles International Showcase 2018.

www.carleyrosethelabel.com


Question: What encouraged you to study at Raffles College of Design and Commerce?

Carley Rose: The fashion design course offered at Raffles College included all the subjects that I wanted to cover, such as fashion illustration and business studies as well as all the design basics. I was also excited about the different opportunities they offered, including showcasing my work at China Graduate Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.


Question: Where do you find inspiration when creating your designs?

Carley Rose: I am passionate about researching different ethics and sustainability issues to find a problem that I can connect with and explore further. Once I have selected the theme of my garments - the colours, textures and details are always inspired by nature.


Question: How does it feel to be showcasing your collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia?

Carley Rose: This will be my second time showcasing at the Raffles International Showcase at MBFWA and I'm beyond thrilled as it is a great opportunity for me to share my designs. I have put a lot of time and thought in to how I want my label to be presented. I have put a large amount of thought and detail into the Semi Precious collection to be showcased at fashion week and I can't wait for everyone to see it.


Question: Can you tell us about the collection you'll be showcasing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia?

Carley Rose: My 2019 Resort collection, Semi Precious, is inspired by Australia's rich mining history, including the positive and negative aspects of it. The colours and embroideries are inspired by different precious minerals and stones like opals, amethysts, emeralds and gold. I like to use natural fabrications where possible as it is a kinder choice for our planet. The collection features beaded couture gowns and beautiful silk separates with a romantic and luxurious vibe.

Question: Can you share with us the details of your label?

Carley Rose: Carley Rose The Label is a women's brand for evening and day wear, focussed on sustainable sourcing and ethical production. My designs are comfortable, feminine and luxurious with a bit of a bohemian vibe. Flowing silhouettes, beading and lots of colour are signatures of my designs.


Question: Can you share your earliest design memory, with us?

Carley Rose: I remember when I was around the age of 7, I was wrapping an old piece of peach coloured fabric around myself in several different ways. I was knotting it in different places and parading my 'dress' around my front yard, hoping that someone would walk by my house and notice my incredible attention to detail and trendiness. I probably still have that piece of fabric somewhere because I don't think I've thrown away a piece of fabric in my life!


Interview by Brooke Hunter

Images by: www.harethtayem.com