UP CLOSE WITH COLIN HEANEY
As featured in this month's issue of Get it Magazine I caught up with designer Colin Heaney from his house Casa Blu in Byron Bay...
Leggings:: $120
Bikini:: $220
Kaftan (mini):: $465
Kaftan (full):: $585
Headband:: $45
As seen in Get it Magazine January 2013
Being an artist for most of your life, how difficult was
the transition into fashion?
The
transition into fashion was very organic, it started with a desire to see the
images I was creating printed on a physical object. Silk, like glass is such a
beautiful, quality material that I decided to use it as my canvas.
Then the
challenges started learning how the fashion world works, in many ways it is a
much more difficult world than the art world. In art I felt more
flexibility to create exactly wanted, in fashion there is a bigger play between
my creativity and desire of my customers.
Your designs flow from your homewares into your clothing,
where do you find your inspiration?
My inspiration can
come from anywhere - nature; a combination of colours; a building ... I am a
very visual person so it is easier for me to see something to know whether if
it speaks to me or not. I generally start creating without any idea of what I
am doing, I just start developing and putting patterns and colours together
until I see something on the screen that speaks to me, then I will start the
refining process to a finished design which can take a few hours or a few
months. My aesthetic is created from my love of
colour, refined detail and quality and often a transcendental world that
inspires sensuality, expanding boundaries and appreciation of the feminine.
Tell us about this spring/summer collection?
This collection is
exciting for me because there are new garments including a kimono jacket,
palazzo pants, a maxi dress and flattering one-piece. These pieces are
wonderful new canvases for me. Maintaining the quality, elegance and
sophistication of our label, we have added classic style pieces wearers can
dress in their own style and it builds on the collection that our growing
resort customers enjoy.
As a Byron Bay artist, what does it mean to showcase at
MBFF Brisbane?
It was a wonderful
opportunity for me to see my work displayed large and coherently, which is very
fulfilling. I have had a consistent collectors base in Brisbane and South
East Queensland for more than 20 years. Many of my former glass
collectors from this area are now avid resortwear collectors. As the
Colin Heaney label develops these customers continue to show their
appreciation. The show was a great opportunity to share another milestone
with them and show how we are developing the label.
Who are some of your style icons?
I love the flowing
lines of Erte and Fortuny. In contemporary designers I appreciate Etro and
Roberto Cavalli. Each of the designers have the sophistication and
relentless quality I create in my own work.
What is next for Colin Heaney?
I want
to continue extending my range and eventually have the opportunity to open a Colin
Heaney lifestyle store. I would love to design the architecture, the
interiors and, of course, a product range that emanates both my
design aesthetic and appreciation of fine things and luxurious sensual living.
Where can you buy your amazing swimwear and resort wear?
We will
be stocked in Brisbane at Samantha Ogilvie (Emporium), with deliveries arriving
by end September. On the Gold Coast we are stocked at Sanctuary Style
(Sanctuary Cove), Anthony Dower (Main Beach), Tropical Batique (Broadbeach).
You can
also enjoying see all the new collection available on our online store over the
next month. Check out his Facebook page for details
Bikini:: $220
Kaftan (mini):: $465
Kaftan (full):: $585
Headband:: $45
As seen in Get it Magazine January 2013
I'd love to own some caftans in blue and green or blue and pink but they are just too expensive.
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