Photo Diary: How local designer Jasmine Craciun prepares for PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
WORDS BY ELLY SHINKFIELD
Behind the scenes.
As an official media partner of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, we’re sharing the stories of designers, stylists and creatives as they prepare for one of the biggest weeks of their year. For designers, the lead-up to a runway show is not all smooth sailing, with long hours devoted to creative decisions and putting the final touches on their pieces.
Discover up-and-coming local designers in our Fashion section.
For designer Jasmine Craciun, preparing for the Emerging Mob in Fashion Runway x Fujitsu has been action-packed. From selecting the right coloured wool, creating her patterns and the labour-intensive task of the knitting itself, Jasmine’s days have been dedicated to finalising each of her pieces on time (even if this means knitting on the bus on the way to her other job!). Below, she gives us a glimpse into her preparations for this year’s PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Collecting the materials
This is a small visual of some of my collected wool. When I was asked to create a one-of-one piece for the Emerging Mob in Fashion Runway x Fujitsu, it was important to me to use wool I already had. The wool I’m using for my runway look is actually a cheap bundle of vintage mohair bought from eBay.
Pre-production process
I’m a freehand knitter so I create my patterns as I go. It was important when I started this look that I practised the shape of the dress before going ahead so I didn’t have to redo any sections!
Roger helps to pick colours for a balaclava!
Orange won!
The inspiration
My oma, pictured here with my opa, was an incredible knitter and taught me how to knit when I was seven. The knitted pieces layered over this photo are an example of her work. They’re so finely knitted they could almost be mistaken for machine work.
When I received the blue wool I knew I wanted to use it for a dress – the blue reminded me so much of my nan’s wedding dress. You can’t see them here but Pop was also wearing some fantastic ’70s platform shoes – some inspiration for a new accessory?
Production begins
Because I only have a few days left before sending my look, I obviously start on a new accessory. I’m knitting on the bus on my way to my other job in art education.
Photographing some possible extra looks for a surprise runway guest…
Working overtime at the beach, tough.
Finished garments
Running these girls straight to the post office.
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