Frock on Friday

September 7, 2012

You all know that I love a good print, and Australian brand Gorman has captured my attention in recent seasons with some real beauties. I adored the last spring/summer collection, and the collaboration with textiles designer Rachel Castle was an inspired move, resulting in a fresh pop-tastic collection that was the very essence of an Aussie summer.

The new spring/summer collection arrived in store and online yesterday, featuring another fabulous collaboration, this time with Australian artist Rhys Lee. I remember first seeing Lee’s work when he was with Helen Gory Gallerie in Melbourne and I was expecting to see washy, drippy prints in muted dirty colours with perhaps a pop of neon.

Instead, Gorman and Lee revealed a 21-piece capsule collection rich with candy-coloured harlequin and droplet prints and embellished with beads and sequins. The washy watercolours, however, are evident in a couple of pieces, most beautifully realised in this skirt.

The dress in the top image features a superb handprint with black, lilac and yellow highlights. Typically I’ve gone with a more ‘relaxed’ fit, but the slight tapering at the bottom of the dress provides some subtle definition. Handstand linen dress, AU$269 from Gorman.

I’ve also channeled my inner Gok Wan and selected this second dress (above) with a more defined waistline, which is infinitely more flattering on curvier and larger figures. I can be an incredibly lazy dresser and I’ve fallen into a rather unfortunate habit of favouring ye olde sack frocks, despite the fact they do nothing for my post-baby body. And although this second frock is sleeveless it features wide straps in a pretty lilac colour and a flattering neckline. And look – a hemline that finishes just at the knees. Tick, tick, tick all round. Handstand silk dress, AU$329 from Gorman.