Why is it that women will always look better in menswear than men? From Katharine Hepburn’s pants, to Diane Keaton’s tie and Patti Smith’s suspenders to Kirsten Dunst in a Patrik Ervell tuxedo, there’s definitely something inexplicably and incredibly alluring when a lady looks like a dude.
The same kind of appeal is written all over Vanishing Elephant’s first collection of womenswear for Spring 2012, in which wardrobe classics befitting both genders have been given the VE treatment through a twist in cut and colour. Menswear staples including slim cut trousers, parkas and chinos, shirting in chambray and plaid, killer desert boots and brogues play off against feminine silk shirt and wrap dresses, sleeveless shirts rendered in paisley, pleated plaid draw-string short shorts and well-cut blazers that are practically begging to meet your future mother-in-law. Gentlemen, you’ve been warned.
We spoke with the dapper trio of lads behind Vanishing Elephant about their debut collection for the lady in your life, the challenges involved in designing for women and what comes next for Huw Bennett, Felix Chan and Arran Russell.
Branching into women’s wear – was this a natural progression for you guys as designers, or were you urged to do it by female fans of your clothes?
Natural or nuts or hand in hand, we had a few female fans and a couple of close friends that kept hinting at the idea so we thought why not. Menswear seemed to be coming along nicely and we wanted to expand our market both here in Australia and New Zealand.
So how do you go about your approach to designing for girls. Is it different to how you design for guys?
Very different, with men’s we have such a set format which is tried and tested. With women’s we almost started an office forum, which included asking friends to try and pin point what we thought a Women’s Vanishing Elephant collection should look like and what pieces would be available within.
As fellows, what’s the hardest part about getting women’s wear right?
Mostly understanding the finer points of women’s fittings, and being able to interrupt that with our design handwriting on it.
Who are your lady (or gent) muses for the collection?
We thought of our girl as someone quite aware of their own sense of dress but still ambitious enough to try colours and patterns that may not be a staple of their current wardrobe. We approached the collection much the same we have with the men’s, that being that the core values of the brand must be classic shapes, with a new take. Well designed, made and delivered, all at a good price point.
What are your favourite pieces from the collection and why?
The black silk shirt dress. This piece really speaks volumes for the range and the long term status quo of the VE women’s range. Neat, versatile, unique fabric and great handle.
If you could pick one woman, living or dead, to dress in Vanishing Elephant who would it be? I.e. Who would be your dream ambassador for the collection?
All three of us would have a different answer on any given day. I think we’d be happy if our girlfriends and friends got a kick out of wearing the clothes.
You opened your first store in Melbourne last year. Any plans to open more this year? If so, where?
Melbourne is still a work in progress. Retail is a whole new world so for now we’re focusing our retail attention there, but in saying that yes we want to open another store, ideally in Sydney and close to our office. Wish we could drop some real big hints.
Vanishing Elephant Spring 2012 Womenswear will drop mid-July in Vanishing Elephant’s Melbourne store, their website, Incu and General Pants stores nationwide. Full list of stockists available here.
All Photos Provided by Vanishing Elephant
