Design

Leiden Podcast – Episode 9: Ethical Fashion with Charne from Maak

Emma Batchelor Leave a Comment

  This is Leiden Podcast a fortnightly podcast discussing all our favourite things: fashion, beauty, health and fitness. But we don’t stop there, we also interview amazing people, talk about relationships, books, pop culture, money and sex. In our eighth episode, and second back for 2018, Leiden editor Emma Batchelor chats with fashion designer Charne Esterhuizen of MAAK, a clothing label that centres on future fashion. Leiden Podcast and it’s catchy jingle are produced by the greatest guy around Roshan Fernandez. Our artwork features an illustration of the ‘Leiden girl’ by Johanna Dziadkiewicz.

Designer Profile – Black Correlation

Emma Batchelor Leave a Comment

  In a room full of people wearing all black, I would still stand out.   In our first designer profile back for 2018 we caught up with Tanaka from Black Correlation, a contemporary label blending minimalism with individuality: less but better. Launching with a killer pair of unisex loafers and a practical tote, this new label encourages the pursuit of personal style through quiet luxury. We couldn’t wait to find out more.   Leiden: Tell us about your ethos. Black Correlation: Uniqueness drives me. I never like to wear what everyone else is wearing. This way of thinking is… Continue Reading →

Colour Field

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                    Credits Concept/Art Direction: Caleb Williams and Sanjana Alex Photographer: Caleb Williams / www.calebwilliams.com.au / Instagram @caleb3200 Model: Sanjana Alex Designer: Sanjana Alex / Instagram @sanjanaalexdesigns   Sanjana has designed a ‘one off couture concept dress’ inspired by recent scientific research on the PTE enzyme, an enzyme which could play a key role in the break down and purification of toxic chemicals. Sanjana told us: ” …I manipulated techniques such as beading, embroidery, dyeing and pattern-making to represent each stage of finding the PTE protein’s structure. It begins at the very bottom of the… Continue Reading →

A Masterclass in Decoding Colour with Lucy Feagins

Maria Wallace Leave a Comment

  In the bustling thoroughfare of the new Life By Design precinct of the Monaro Mall upstairs in the Canberra Centre — surrounded by everything home and design — we were treated to a masterclass on decoding colour. Lucy Feagins, editor and founder of The Design Files, Australia’s most popular design blog, generously shared her thoughts on this complex subject — helping us to understand some simple concepts. (Would you believe The Design Files was around before Instagram, and will turn ten in January 2018?!) Lucy’s views on lifestyle and wellness include being purposeful, considered and thoughtful; surrounding yourself with… Continue Reading →

Design with Dana Tomic Hughes

Emma Batchelor Leave a Comment

  Design is everywhere. From the houses that we live in to the roads that we drive on to the cars that we drive on them in. With design pervading every aspect of our lives it’s no wonder that an annual festival celebrating design and designers is Canberra’s fastest growing festival. Someone who deeply appreciates design in all its glory is Dana Tomic Hughes a self-diagnosed design tragic and founder and editor of online design publication Yellowtrace. And that’s not all: she is an interior designer, design curator adviser and keynote speaker to boot.  We asked interior designer, friend of… Continue Reading →

Designer Profile – The Prodigal Daughter

Johanna Dziadkiewicz Leave a Comment

  If you love colour, pattern and flair in your wardrobe then The Prodigal Daughter is a brand you need to know about. The designs from former human rights lawyer Phoebe Mwanza are exactly the vibrant ray of sunshine to wake you up from the chill of winter; and it was on one of those cold blustery days that I sat down with the lady herself to talk about her brand. Born in Zambia, and growing up in Zimbabwe, Phoebe was always drawing and making things as a child. She found that she was often dressed a little differently (and… Continue Reading →

Does FASHFEST Still Pass the FASH-test?

Emma Batchelor 3 Comments

  Note from the Author: When researching and writing this article I have found myself on a journey clouded by passionate opinions, varied perceptions and anonymous disclosures. I have questioned the ethics of speaking up versus staying quiet and what the role of a publication such as this is and should be within the Canberra fashion community. In publishing this story Leiden hopes to spark a conversation about fashion, design and creativity and what we all, from the people who sew each garment through to those sitting in the stands admiring them, want that to be celebrated in our home… Continue Reading →

FASHFEST Runway Report – Show 6

Team Leiden 7 Comments

    The closing night of FASHFEST rolled around too soon. We walked the red carpet, ate some doughnuts and took our seats, ready for the final shows.   Karen Lee     Canberra based designer Karen Lee’s eponymous label specialises in slow fashion for the every day woman. Her work is designed for comfort, to transcend trends and to be worn again and again. This year’s FASHFEST collection was no exception as the designer sent out an array of versatile dresses, pinafores, trousers and shirts. Nothing was figure hugging; clothing was designed to skim over the body’s curves. Hemlines… Continue Reading →