Who is Christina Exie?
I had the pleasure of meeting Christina’s mother at a beauty salon the morning after she accompanied Christina to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney last month. She was so estactic by the show that she couldn’t hold her excitement back and spent 15 minutes talking to me about the show, the guests and of course Christina’s collection. I had to know who Christina was and couldn’t help myself but asked how I could get her daughter to answer some questions I had running through my head that I had to share with you on here.
After my visit to the salon I rushed home and quickly got my questions down in an email that I sent straight away to Christina. Mind you I thought there was no way in hell she would have time after her successful show the day before in Sydney to reply back but guess what? She not only replied but she was kind enough to take some time out and emailed me back with her answers. What a gem.
My 5 minutes with Christina Exie;
1. What is the inspiration behind your current collection? I was looking into Cymatics; the translation of sound into visibility. From my research I found blasting different frequencies morphs particles through vibrations into geometrics shapes. I was interested in applying the geometric shapes and the idea of splitting into my Spring/Summer 2013/14 Collection BASS through print, pattern, texture, silhouette and design lines.
2. What is your favourite fashion trend? I am not really into “trends” perse. My interest lies in high performance sports wear however, and the only time this element comes into my work is the hints of sci-fi dropped in throughout my signature and collections.
3. What is your favourite fabric to work with and why? I am head over heels with leather! It moulds amazingly and you can do so much with it, from apparel to shoes, accessories and more.
4. Your most memorable experience in your career to date? Showing at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It was a huge project and has put me on the map for big things.
5. What would be your most important tip for those aspiring fashion designer out there? Get as much experience you can as possible at another company’s expense. It doesn’t matter how old you are when you start your label, you are better off being knowledgeable, wise and having a successful business than being young, naïve and failing after your first few collections. It is a tough industry and you need to know more than just how to design a collection.
6. How has the change in the current retail market in Australia affected your industry? I think if you have a great product and you believe in it other people will intern believe in it. Therefore if the right strategy is applies a global financial crisis can be an advantage.
7. What is your future plans? Wherever the road takes me.
Photographer: Anthony Tosello, Hair and Make-up: Trudi Boyd, Model: Elena Novello
SPECTRUM DRESS WHITE – FRONT OCTAVE LEGGING BLACK/WHITE – FRONT AMPLITUDE PEPLUM BELT BLACK
DECIBEL BANGLE YELLOW REVERBERATION SCARF PRINT [WHITE/COLOUR]
PITCH 2 PIECE SWIMSUIT BLACK – FRONT OCTAVE LEGGING BLACK/WHITE
DECIBEL BANGLE WHITE REVERBERATION SCARF PRINT [WHITE/BLACK PRINT]
NOISE T-SHIRT BLUE – BACK EQUALIZER SKIRT BLUE – BACK AMPLITUDE PEPLUM BELT BLUE
ABSORPTION BODICE BLUE – FRONT WAVE PANT BLACK/BLUE
NOISE T-SHIRT BLUE – FRONT EQUALIZER SKIRT BLUE – FRONT AMPLITUDE PEPLUM BELT BLUE
BOOMY JUMPSUIT BLACK – FRONT/SIDE TREBLE JACKET ORANGE – FRONT/SIDE
PHASE SWIMSUIT BLACK – FRONT EQUALIZER SKIRT ORANGE – FRONT
If you know of an upcoming designer here in Australia, get in touch as I would love to meet them and learn more about their range to hopefully feature them on my blog.
