Looks from Starving Artists Fund’s Camel Light capsule collection. Image by Oliver Spencer.
Starving Artists Fund have launched their new capsule collection called Camel Light which is inspired by hedonists and pleasure seekers. Designer Natasha Ovely has been ‘exploring the social tendencies of creative people and their attraction to excess – drinking, partying, sexual endeavours and Friday FOMO’ with this range. The result is an energetic range that carries from the street into the club with attitude and ease.
Amusingly, a friend of Starving Artists Fund described the collection as “The Nanny meets Trainspotting”, which is rather apt considering the 90’s vibe we’re also getting from the range. Starving Artists Fund has an ethos of ‘radical inclusivity’ by celebrating individuality, body positivity, diversity, and non-binary perspectives which carries through in the imagery for this collection. There’s a fierceness but also sense of togetherness that is strong yet playful.
The designer wanted to subvert the notions of bad taste by toying with tiger print, tailored suits with too short sleeves and too short shorts. She has focused on high – low combinations of fabrics from luxe silk jacquards and Japanese denim juxtaposed with the likes of sports mesh. It makes for a youthful, anarchic feel that is sure to appeal to those who love to stand out and let their voices be heard.
Starving Artists Fund’s socially conscious, gender neutral approach to fashion is a perfect example of the new approach to clothing that is resonating internationally and locally. The brand have a sustainable approach to design with each piece produced locally in Auckland as part of the slow fashion movement. Anarchy can also have a conscience as does Starving Artists Fund.
Images by Oliver Spencer.