Fashion Week: Calson's Dress-ups n Pretty Things

Dunedin-based designer Tanya Carlson says she has always had a love of dress-ups - fabric, fabrication and pretty things. Carlson is known for stunning collections which marry a strong concept with superb tailoring and exquisite detail.

Carlson specialises in beautifully crafted clothing, always with an element of surprise. Hand painted fabrics, delicate hand-beading or an unexpected construction technique are elements of Carlson’s fashion signature. “I like the clothes to be beautiful and sexy, with a real twist of humour,” Tanya Carlson says.

Carlson’s gorgeous, gracious designs not only attract rave reviews, but a dedicated customer following. Carlson has stockists throughout New Zealand, and Australia.

CARLSON SUMMER 07/08

Celebrate a very artistic aesthetic with the Carlson collection for Summer 07/08. Underpinned by a 1930s sensibility, where surrealists continued to challenge social norms and charm an intellectually fashionable crowd, the new collection effortlessly evokes freestyle thinking and freedom of movement.

Summer 07/08, reflects a more masculine silhouette than recent seasons. Angular lines and strong shoulders provide overt definition. Tailoring is as impeccable as ever, but stripped back to reveal long, lean shapes. Feminine fabrications slouch elegantly, in boyish, boxy lines.

“A certain amount of volume is still important this season, but it’s pared way back in quite a different way, reflecting lankier and more elongated shapes,” Tanya Carlson says. “There’s an element of androgyny, updating the loose-limbed lines of the 1930s to reflect a modern aesthetic.”

The colour palette this season is primarily black and blue and grey, relieved with pale palomino, old gold, Turkish rose and a light and bright cobalt blue. The signature print is a scribbled, stained glass style abstract. Fabrications range from crepes and linen silk blends to cotton, silk jersey, lycra and fine laces.

For more, check out fashionz.co.nz

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