I’m gearing up to start my new collection. It’s all whizzing around my head, but I’ve had complicated feelings about it. I first designed a lot of this next collection in 2021. I had the sketches, the fabrics and some samples. Then my world changed when my Mum got sick. I dropped everything and left Melbourne during a lockdown not knowing what was happening and when I’d be back. I took sketches and fabric samples with me, it was a reflex to hold onto a little bit of my life in Melbourne. Of course when we found out my Mum was dying my life became about being with her every second I could. And one afternoon in the hospice we talked about my designs. I showed her my drawings and she felt the fabrics. It is heart wrenching to know it would be the last work of mine she would see but so precious. I’ve struggled to delve into the collection since then, not wanting to change anything even when I thought of a better idea, because these were the designs she had seen. But I think what I’m trying to learn is I am able to honour her in my life however I choose, not necessarily how others would expect or through direct inspiration but through treating my life, (and work more specifically) gently, with creativity and authenticity.
With this in mind I’ve been fabric and supply shopping and felt my love for the collection rev back up again, ideas paraded through my head. Tiny little details fussed over when I’m trying to fall asleep, butterflies picturing the photoshoot. I’ve decided to throw myself into it for at least a month. I’ll be taking made to order off the website second week of March to give myself space and time to create. I can’t wait!
