California to Canberra: the destinations inspiring the fashion set
From bustling Moroccan Medinas to sculptural mountain crags in Canberra, Australian designers reveal the destinations that inspired their new season wares.
The fashion world is renowned for translating the collective cultural mood into cloth and accoutrement.
Its members are also notoriously good at predicting the best places to shop, stay, dine and explore, well before the rest of us mortal folk have caught on.
Conceived in the throes of pandemic lockdowns and severe travel restrictions, Australia’s designers have looked past the confines of their studios for inspiration this summer, with ideas of wanderlust and escape a common thread running across new season collections.
To further highlight this, their teams travelled to exotic, dreamy destinations which reflected the visions for their designs, from the bustling souks of Morocco to the glistening coastline of Southern Italy.
Despite the sneaky suspicion these location choices were simply an excuse for creative teams to get out of dodge after years of on-and-off lockdowns, the campaign images speak for themselves.
Here, designers share their insider tips on where to stay in the destinations which sparked the concepts for their latest sartorial offerings.
Amalfi, Italy
It made sense for Australian swimwear brand Bond-Eye to shoot their collaboration with Dominique Elissa on the pictorial coastline of Amalfi, given the model’s Italian heritage.
“Italy has always held a special spot in my heart,” Elissa explains. “I have family over there so it felt super special to shoot my collection along the Amalfi Coast.”
The team stayed at one of their shoot locations; the historical Hotel Luna Convento, a former convent turned hotel perched on Amalfi’s craggy coastline.
Its pool, built on the shore just above sea level and with all the retro trappings of a Slim Aarons series, features heavily in the campaign; vibrant blue water and matching deck chairs complement the emerald, cobalt and ruby tones of the new collection.
STAY: One of the newest hotels to grace the area’s Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, Borgo Santandrea is a must-visit, if not for its beautiful Mediterranean mid-century decor, then for its wellness and dining offerings. Wander through bougainvillea-laced terraces and olive groves down to its private beach and beach club and, looking back towards the cliffside hotel, you can truly appreciate the merging of ancient architecture and modern design. Nearby Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa is also worth a stay, with the newly renovated 17th century convent offering exceptional views of the Bay of Salerno.
EAT: La Libreria, Borgo Santandrea: Dine among a curated collection of books and local ceramics while enjoying a meal curated by Chef Crescenzo Scotti using the best of the region’s local produce. Hotel Santa Caterina’s Glicine, a one Michelin star fine dining experience is also a must-do.
Marrakech, Morocco
Fashion icons and innovators have been enamoured by Marrakech for centuries. The vibrant architecture, heady scents and bohemian spirit which pervades this ochre city inspired the creative endeavours of Yves Saint Laurent, legendary perfumer Serge Lutens and Christian Dior to name a few.
“There is nowhere in the world that can make you feel as alive as Marrakech,” concedes Sean Venturi, founder of Australian fashion label Venroy.
The former imperial city not only inspired the brand’s latest collection, aptly named Marrakech, but also provided the backdrop for its campaign.
SIR The Label founders Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote and their team also showcased the brand’s latest resort range amid the Medina’s labyrinthine alleyways and bustling textile souks.
“Travel is such an important part of our brand narrative, we love taking our audience on journeys to aspirational places filled with life and colour,” says co-founder Nikki Campbell.
“Marrakech has always been a city that intrigued us as a city filled with colour, energy and incredible architecture, which complimented the collection perfectly.”
The team stayed at both El Fenn and Amanjena while shooting the campaign, and Nikki notes that “having not had visitors for a few years, the locals were incredibly welcoming and excited to see visitors back in their city.
STAY: With its palatial pink exterior dressed by date palms and perfectly manicured landscaping, Amanjena makes a very bold first impression. Inside, every expectation is met, from the decor – a perfect balance of modern and artisanal finishes, to the extensive restaurant and amenity offerings which cater to every type of guest. The creative set, however, is more likely to flock to the eclectically cool El Fenn, comprised of individual riads, each boasting different yet equally chic interiors.
EAT: It’s a must to spend at least one evening weaving between the food stalls of Jemaa el Fna night market, if only to inhale the spiced and smoky aroma created by the countless grills and ovens, but for an unforgettable experience, savour a meal at Le Grande Table Marocaine at Royal Mansour hotel. Dining doesn’t get much finer than this, but it’s the nouveau Moroccan fare which will leave the grandest impression.
Namadgi National Park, Canberra
A study of the sculptural landscape and great artists formed the foundation of Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris’ latest Aje collection, Sculptura.
And while the location of their shoot wasn’t so distant as to involve stamped passports, reaching the megalith-like boulders of Namadgi National Park was an intrepid journey nonetheless.
“It was in true dedication to the vision,” Forest says. “The team hiked from dawn for over an hour with the collection and equipment, through ash forests and snow gum flora, up to an incredible vista across the surrounding mountains.”
The trek offered a wild, granite stage for the brand to present “Sculptura’s movement, untamed volume and vibrant colour palette to great effect,” Forest continues.
STAY: After a day of trekking around Namadj, you’ll want somewhere relaxing and comfortable to rest those weary legs. You’ll most likely also want to avoid further hikes to get a bite or morning coffee. Hotel Realm and nearby properties Little National and Brassey Hotel all flank Canberra’s Realm precinct, where you’ll find a choice of cafes and bars and if a bushwalk didn’t encourage a sweat, you can try the steam room at nearby Evo Health Club.
EAT: The Aje team dined at Monster Kitchen and Bar, Ovolo Nishi’s restaurant known for its uncompromising vegetarian fare and eclectic design. Executive chef Matthew Bentley also offers up a meatless degustation which would impress even the most carnivorous customer. You can’t discuss set menus without a firm nod to Pilot, in Ainslie. The perpetually changing menu of this three-year-old acclaimed eatery ensures dishes are seasonal to-the-minute and championing local ingredients. If you’re after a more casual bite (and are prepared to queue), head to Ramen O, which serves a delicious iteration of the famous Japanese noodle broth.
Palm Springs, USA
Twilit Californian skies and the golden age of Hollywood formed the basis of Shona Joy’s Summer 22 campaign, Palisades.
It wasn’t just Slim Aarons’ glamorous society muses which steered the vision for the collection, but the architectural mid-century Palm Spring homes in which they spent their summers.
“Palm Springs has been a dream shoot location for a very long time,” says founding director Shona Joy Thatcher. “The desert oasis offers a rich history of the sublime and surreal and is home to some of the best and most iconic mid-century modern architectural landmarks.”
Albert Frey’s ‘Frey House II’ and John Lautner’s ‘Hope Residence’, which were both used as backdrops for the brand’s campaign shoot.
“We feel incredibly honoured to have been granted the opportunity to shoot the campaign in the actual locations that so heavily inspired the collection,” Thatcher adds.
STAY: The atmosphere at Parker Palm Springs is everything you’d expect from a classic hotel in the desert; Californian bungalow mid-century residences brimming with pop print textiles and Berber rugs, plus all the essentials for a Palm Springs summer; clay tennis court, croquet lawn and pools flanked by shaded cabanas for cooling off and sipping on a Tom Collins. For longer stays, Thatcher suggests the equally chic The Amado.
DINE: Sandfish specialises in Japanese fare and staff are more than happy to suggest the best whiskey pairings, its other area of expertise. If you haven’t tried a plant-based meal in California, you should. Grab a casual bite at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, which serves up relaxed and delicious vegan fare. And to really appreciate the best of California’s wines and fresh farm-to-table produce, book a reservation at 4 Saints, located on the rooftop of the Kimpton Rowan Hotel. When it comes to bars, enjoy a nightcap (we suggest the Oaxcan Hemingway) or two, amid the moody interiors of Seymour’s.
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