Abby Beaton (second from right) with models wearing her 2013 collection.
The distortion of human shapes and their exploitation in the sideshows of the ‘30s inspired the creative mind and technical talent of 22-year-old Wellington fashion designer Abby Beaton, who graduates this week with a Diploma from fashion school, NZ Fashion Tech.
Edgy clothes, all in black sheer silk and leather, turned heads as Abby’s collection stepped onto the catwalk at the fashion school’s graduate show this week, but it was the hats, bags and bracelets all made by the young designer as well, that caused a ripple of whispers.
Called ‘Distort Me’, Abby says the inspiration for her collection came from the 1930s movie ‘Freaks’.
“It is about a group of travelling sideshow players. I found the human shapes fascinating and beautiful. I quilted pieces of my collection to represent the imprisonment of the sideshow,” she says.
“I grew up among creative people in the Hawke’s Bay like my mum and brother. I couldn’t draw as well as them so I turned to fabric. My grandparents bought me my first sewing machine while I was at high school, and I still thrash it today.”
Edgy clothes, all in black sheer silk and leather, turned heads as Abby’s collection stepped onto the catwalk at the fashion school’s graduate show this week, but it was the hats, bags and bracelets all made by the young designer as well, that caused a ripple of whispers.
Called ‘Distort Me’, Abby says the inspiration for her collection came from the 1930s movie ‘Freaks’.
“It is about a group of travelling sideshow players. I found the human shapes fascinating and beautiful. I quilted pieces of my collection to represent the imprisonment of the sideshow,” she says.
“I grew up among creative people in the Hawke’s Bay like my mum and brother. I couldn’t draw as well as them so I turned to fabric. My grandparents bought me my first sewing machine while I was at high school, and I still thrash it today.”
Abby says NZ Fashion Tech gave her great confidence in her garment construction and pattern-making skills. “I already had a strong vision of what my style was, but now I can execute my ideas a lot better.”
Abby has already landed a part-time job with one of her work-experience placements, but is looking towards a full-time job.
“I would like to develop my leather skills and continue to learn and grow as part of the New Zealand fashion Industry.”
“I am a fan of Nom*d, Zambesi, Company of Strangers, Deadly Ponies and Jimmy D. I still wear the first Nom*d piece Mum bought me to celebrate making it into fashion school. They are a beautifully intelligent company and I have huge admiration for the way they create innovative and versatile designs,” says Abby.