Serpent and the Swan – Autumn Winter Collection 2010

With the sudden and immediate heat wave that has been engulfing Sydney of late, having a look at a range of winter knits was probably not the most inviting proposition for a Tuesday night. However, always being interested in what new labels are designing in Sydney was motivation enough to have a look at what the fashion forward will be wearing next winter. And the range that was presented definitely made me glad I made the effort to go along.

First up, Serpent and the Swan are not flashy, or screaming “look at me” like so much Sydney fashion seems to do. Their range is based in simplicity and quality, and is definitely all about the details. There is something extremely earthy about their products, it feels incredibly loved and thought through, and has the quality of a garment that is made for individuals, rather than the masses.

If you haven’t hear of the Serpent and the Swan before, it’s likely due to the fact that this duo of sisters Hayley and Lauri have only recently joined forces in the fashion world. The come from interesting backgrounds – with Hayley being experienced in the fashion industry for over 10 years, and Lauri having working in fine arts and special effects for film and television. It’s an interesting hybrid of talents, and I think it’s a balance that works well as you certainly get a sense of the mythical and imaginary through some of the design elements of the range.

So, what does the range hold? It’s co-ed for a start, with pieces for both men and women. The core elements of the range include knitted sweaters, cardigans, waistcoats, zip-up jackets, scarves and leggings, all of which are manufactured and sourced from materials within NSW. As I mentioned, there is nothing shouty about the range, it is in the details that the magic occurs. From changing the weave in the knit for details on the elbows, to the tiny resin animals that provide a unique trim to the pieces (and which is the Serpent and the Swan signature), each of the items in the range has something special about it.

The colour palette is classically earthy, with most of the range featuring black, khaki and grey marle, but also includes a unique print of feathers on a jersey fabric, keeping in theme with the ‘natural’ edge. They have also created a complimentary jewellery range which also features the resin animals featured on the clothes – hummingbirds, double headed wolves and horse heads all feature throughout the collection.

Speaking with the designers on the night, it is clear to me that their love of nature and animals is just as strong as their loves for clothing and quality. This is not fashion for the people who need to scream “on-trend” from every pore, this is a range for people who want to look fabulous without shouting about it, and who like feeling a little nurtured from their clothes. There has been so much love invested in this range, it would be hard not to.

Article by Carolyn Miller

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www.serpentandtheswan.com

Stockists
Alfie’s Friend Rolfe -Sydney
Pure Magik – Sydney
Lenko – Melbourne

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