Amy Baran, 24 is a 2020 honours graduate student from the University of Technology Sydney, who was challenged by the past years events towards the creation of her graduate collection. However, Amy was influenced from these considerations she made from the challanges that defined 2020- from COVID -19 and the physical and im-practical challenges that spread into the classroom-teacher experience, to the volume of political issues that surrounded the year, Amy was focused on creating clothing that embodied joy and that could shape a next conversation of happiness to surround those she cares about. Amy's acknowledgement and genuine intention with her own experiences of youth and nostalgia becoming the influence towards this collection is felt in full volume. Experiencing this body of work is a fresh greeting into Amy's world and it is received with a resounding authenticity to Amy's self-expression.
We speak to Amy on where she highlights her points of creativity and relevancy for this collection
What-Else: Digital Prints were referenced for her design fabrics.
Amy Baran: “I used current references for digital prints as well as looking back on old photos from when we were kids and taking inspiration from the tee-shirts and logos we used to wear”.
Previous Australian design students who had been experimental with their collections, were a point of inspiration.
“It’s the young designers in Australia that really inspire me to learn and grow here and build my own brand. For the past few years I’ve been inspired by the people who graduated in the years before me and other emerging designers. They have a sense of experimentation and freedom in what they design and it makes me want to do that too”.
Inclusivity is key to relevancy
“I think inclusivity is so important to make the industry more relevant and sustainable for young designers. Having a brand that caters to as many people as possible does not only make it so much more relevant, it opens the door for so much more creativity. It seems to me that these days the less inclusive a brand is the less relevant they become. Inclusivity is the key to remaining relevant within the industry.”
COVID-19 caused creativity in its chaos
“If you had asked me if I felt my opportunities were limited a few months ago, I would have said yes. There was a point where I felt really limited by the pandemic and the restrictions. In hindsight I look at what I have done and I’m really proud of it and I know I would have come out with a different result had I not had the parameters I was working with. I started exploring so many things that have the potential to be explored even more and I have so many ideas that didn’t make it to the final collection. I just want to build on the momentum I’ve started and keep designing”.
She wants the momentum of this time to help change the future of Australian fashion.
“I hope the Australian fashion industry can become more inclusive and bring new perspectives to the Australian fashion scene, particularly in the more rigid places it still exists. I hope that these times present an opportunity for creativity to blossom, as they have already, and I hope we can keep this momentum going so that Australia becomes a place that is just as exciting for aspiring fashion designers as anywhere else in the world”.