Next gen designers: Talia Jimenez
The future of fashion.
The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is underway and this year’s lineup of graduate designers looks very promising.
These designers are the crème de la crème of the country’s top tertiary institutions, all brought together as part of the National Graduate Showcase.
Presented by AMP Capital and supported by Fashion Journal, the National Graduate Showcase will take place at the Royal Exhibition Building on March 19. You can pick up a ticket here.
Ahead of Sunday’s showcase, we thought you’d like to get to know the designers for yourself. Say hello to Talia Jimenez from University of Technology Sydney.
Tell us a bit about your collection.
Marina explores coastal marine life and human interaction with that environment. My collection is entirely screen-printed on heavy canvas, denim and PVC, [with] the shapes speaking to heavy-duty, utilitarian work wear.
What inspires you?
My collection was inspired by the fish markets in Pyrmont, Sydney. I was interested in exploring the staged and artificial ‘mise en scene’ of the fish markets – slimy fishheads, overfilling buckets of prawns and mud crabs tied up with string – as opposed to a typical portrayal of Australian nature.
Did you have a specific wearer in mind when designing this collection?
Men who aren’t afraid of print or colour!
Can you explain your design process?
My design process always starts with primary research. I spent a lot of time at the fish markets taking photos and drawing all of the seafood. I then scan my illustrations and digitally manipulate them to create my repeat prints. These prints are then exposed onto silk screens, which allows me to experiment with scale, colour and fabrication in the print room. My design process is very textile-driven, my prints often inform the shapes of my garments.
What materials do you work with and why?
Anything I can print on! My favourite fabrics to work with are denim and heavy cotton drill because they hold print paste really well.
What draws you to use marine themes in your collection?
I’m drawn to the gooey, slimy and slightly disturbing aspect of seafood once the sea creatures have been taken out of their natural environment.
What’s the hero piece of your collection?
The prawn overalls.
What do you listen to when you create?
I was listening to the Glass Animals How To Be a Human Being vinyl on repeat when I was sewing my final pieces.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If it scares you, go for it. Don’t ever play it safe.
What’s in store for 2017?
I’m currently working as a design assistant for Bonds in the women’s underwear department. I’m not exactly sure what the future holds for me but whatever it is, I’m not going to stop creating.
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