Carlson and the art of Flirting

Carlson and the art of Flirting

18 September 03

Give winter the flick because it's time to flirt with dangerously seductive summer clothing from Tanya Carlson.

Flirt, the Summer 2003-04 range from Carlson, draws inspiration from the decorative arts movement of the 30s and wraps it up with sporty 60s profiles and 80s tailoring. The end result is an engaging collection with signature Carlson style - fine detailing, exquisite fabrics and unexpected elements of construction. Carlson's delicate flower appliqué reinterprets the decorative arts motifs made popular by legendary ceramic artist Clarice Cliff, while sportswear tops showcase Pucci-like panelling.

Flirt embraces a neutral colour palette - parchment, cream, sand, cocoa, rose and pale blues. Fabrics include lots of natural fibres - cotton, silk, cotton lycra and linen, as well as bias cut guipure laces and embroidered voiles. Standout garments include gorgeous sleeveless sports dresses with insert diagonal stripes, relaxed summer dresses with beautiful guipure lace detail, skinny pants, sports singlets with multi-coloured panels, and suiting with decorative inset panels. And for the classicists - there is a superbly styled cream trenchcoat.

Carlson says Flirt follows on from some of the decorative themes she worked with for her previous acclaimed Winter Collection - Sweet Child. "A lot of the devore velvet motifs from Sweet Child came from looking at art noveau design. From there I started looking at the decorative arts movement and developed a real appreciation for the beautiful patterns and motifs that typify that period," Carlson says.

Flirt also drew inspiration from the fabrics themselves. "I looked at fabrics I really loved and thought about what would suit the fabric rather than what I could make it do. This really takes you on a different type of journey instead of having a preconceived idea of what you want to do," Carlson says.

For more on Carlson, check out tanyacarlson.com.

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