Where: Gallery 3, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Sydney
When: Wednesday, May 15
Backstage + runway images by Lucas Dawson / Lee Mathews Resort 20
Backstage images: India Hartford Davis / Lee Mathews 20
This morning, acclaimed designer Lee Mathews presented her Resort 2020 at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, celebrating her 20-year anniversary. The highly anticipated show was attended by top tier media and influencers, showcasing a collection that continues to focus on its core DNA of simplicity, inclusivity and sustainability. Guests were taken on a reminiscent journey through the designer’s archive of fabrications and prints via an ethereal collection of new designs in Mathews’ signature soft and feminine silhouettes.
This season Lee Mathews was led by the idea of ‘evolution’. The Resort Twenty collection considers not only the evolution of the brand, but the evolution of clothing itself. White and cream ensembles are reminiscent of
a toile, the genesis of a garment. This season’s prints reference past fabrications re-invented by longtime friend and collaborator Christina Zimpel; her bold artworks forming the collection’s colour palette and
proportions. The concept of a steady sartorial trajectory is intentionally subverted through silhouette, resulting in unconventional, almost awkward shapes, lending themselves to a ‘wabi sabi’ aesthetic, an influence for Creative Director Lee Mathews and Head of Design Natalia Grzybowski. Utilitarian pockets offset cascading ruffles as sheer and opaque poplin and silk georgette are juxtaposed.
For the first time Lee Mathews also introduced a footwear collection which was featured exclusively throughout the show in forms of sandals and statement slides.
The outstanding set was designed by Benjamin Fountain, paying homage to the fabric textures and prints in Lee Mathews Resort 2020 collection. Dyed and dried natural elements were used to highlight Mathew’s
connection to the natural world and her ongoing and longstanding commitment to sustainability, which has been at the heart of the label from the very beginning. This is also reflected through one of the show sponsors,
Kevin.Murphy, with its new pledge to only using 100% recycled ocean plastics in its packaging in effort to reduce and eliminate plastic waste in the ocean.
Over the last 20 years Lee Mathews has built a successful retail and wholesale business within Australia – the brand has eight retail locations across Australia and operates a global e-commerce site. Internationally, the
designer has thoughtfully expanded through key partnerships with Net-a-Porter, Matches Fashion, Browns, Harvey Nichols, My Theresa and Moda Operandi amongst others.
15 May 2019