Classic tailored suits and frocks have been infused with Victorian florals to celebrate 40 years of David Lawrence with an artistic edge.
The Australian fashion house launched the limited edition capsule collection in collaboration with renowned artist Victoria Garcia featuring a bold botanical theme encouraging the eye to linger. The detailed designs portray a world of untamed wilderness that, upon closer inspection, is bursting with life.
David Lawrence senior designer Melinda Butina says she was inspired by the home of Picnic at Hanging Rock author, Joan Lindsay, where the feminine illustrations tell a story through the ink-black ants and mesmerising butterflies sprinkled throughout.
“On a recent visit to Mulberry Hill House (in Victoria) I became inspired by the quirky curios, paintings and artefacts curated throughout,” Butina says. “Being familiar with Victoria’s beautiful painterly artwork, I knew there was no better artist for David Lawrence to collaborate with to bring the botanical theme to life.”
The 40-year-old brand is synonymous with exceptionally fitting, polished creations and these have been given a breath of fresh air by the intricate floral designs.
“I always want each piece of work I create to feel like a considered work of art and I feel that this collection really encapsulates my design ethos,” Garcia says. “David Lawrence are synonymous with quality, timeless pieces and in my art and work as a designer, I have a similar focus on quality.”
The David Lawrence Victoria Garcia collaboration oozes grace throughout the nine-piece collection including a trench coat, two-piece suit, custom print dress, bag and scarf.
Garcia has revived the classic four-decade-old designs by injecting heavily patterned, yet dainty, illustrations on the iconic fashion line to portray a connection to the natural world – something often disregarded in a world flooded with technology.
The award-winning artist has created pieces for several companies including sass & bide, Warner Brothers Productions and Microsoft and was “absolutely thrilled” to create a “truly special collection” for the fashion label’s anniversary.
The detailed designs portray a world of untamed wilderness that, upon closer inspection, is bursting with life.
Launched during a period where women’s lives and places in the world was rapidly transforming, David Lawrence married luxury with quality to create stylish pieces.
The brand was born as a design studio at a humble store on Collins Street, Melbourne, in 1978 before it quickly found a niche of providing tailor-made and custom-designed outfits.
Pioneering the way with fashion for independent working women with curated corporate essentials, David Bardas responded to major changes occurring in society shortly after the controversial 1970s encouraged females to climb the corporate ladder.
Fast forward four decades and the iconic brand continues to pave the way and equip women to “take their place in the world, their way”.
