Being Born Again 2010 Couture Fashion Show

What is the concept behind the Being Born Again event?
Being Born Again celebrates ten talented Australian artists and ten leading local fashion designers. Basically, the artworks are displayed on the fashion designers' garments, to give beautifully constructed couture fashion. The show will take place one week prior to Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in the National School of Art's Cell Block.

Who will be working together?
The extraordinary collaborations are Akira Isogawa & Lindy Lee, Nicola Finetti & Guy Peppin, Anna Westcott & Kate Scardifield, Marnie Skillings & Tracey Moffatt, Tim O'Connor & Debra Dawes, Lulu in Chains & Emily Fitzgerald, Dhini & Pat Brassington, Michael Lo Sordo & Christopher Horder, Leigh Schubert & Susan Andrews and CASI((O)) ONO & ANTO.

How did you go about pairing the designers with the artists?
The designers selected the artists in accordance with their aesthetic and interests. The designers were unrestricted and were given carte blanche to choose their own artistic inspiration. The collaborative process has worked really well. Lindy Lee & Akira Isogawa collaborated in absolute harmony, incorporating common interests in Zen and peaceful meditation.

Why does this fusion of art and fashion interest you?
Well, a designer translates and is inspired by art and artworks. Also, artistic mediums like painting, screenprinting and digital printing can be used masterfully to enhance fashion design.

Any inspirations artistic or otherwise?
We are inspired by Sydney gallery openings and international art blogs. Art Patrol (Art Patrol) is a great source of stimulation for our D&Em range and we also find Isabella Blow, Karen Elson, Shalom Harlow, Alexander McQueen, Erin O'Connor and Tavi, the 12-year-old blogger, inspirational.

Are the garments just artworks or are they functional as apparel?
They are functional too.

Tell us about your new label D&Em.
D&Em incorporates the knowledge we gained through working with the first set of designer/artist pairings. We have forged strong relationships with the artists and we will be collaborating with some of them for the August range. We'll be showing one piece at Being Born Again, but stay tuned for the D&Em August fashion show.

How long have you been working together?
We came together a year ago through very magical circumstances. These are the underlying themes of Being Born Again.

What do you think of the Sydney fashion scene right now?
Right now the serious fashion utilitarians are frowning upon frivolity and impracticality. The theory is that frivolity has gone out of fashion in favour of practical, timeless looks, but Being Born Again and D&Em will put the fun back into fashion. 

Where do you recommend we go to pick up cutting-edge Australian fashion?
The Corner Shop, Incu and the David Jones sale section. Erin Moy