Our Davroe team, has just returned from Melbourne where we teamed up with some of Australia’s emerging fashion designers to help them showcase their designs with Face Fashion.
We did this by styling the hair of all the models, as the Official Hair Sponsor for Face Fashion, with over 12 designers promoting Australian fashion, running over 2 nights, it was an amazing event to be a part of.
One of the many inspiring designers who showcased, is Tori-Anne Gill; owner and designer of her label, Dark Thorn Clothing. She’s an extremely talented, young, SA based designer who we had the pleasure of sitting down with to talk all things fashion.
At what age did you know that fashion was the career path you wanted to follow?
I always had a fascination with fashion at a young age, I grew up around sewing and as a child always wore my mums creations. My mini deb dress was crafted by my nana and I made my own graduation dress in year 12. Still coming out of year 12 I never thought I could pursue a fashion career in the country, to be honest I never even thought you could study two things at once until I went to Colour Cosmetica to study Image Management and they told me I can study Makeup at the same time! It was at this moment I knew I needed and could pursue fashion.
Who are your key influencers, that you pull inspiration from?
I try not to get influenced by current “trends” as a believe fashion is what you make it, not what others do. The designers I am influenced by the most are those who inspire me with their drive and their willingness to stay true to themselves, these include Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. In couture, Guo Pei blows my mind with her creations that are pure art.
Design wise I am mainly influenced by the Victorian Era. I have books and books full of Victorian Era imagery and fashions, I have Victorian Era post cards and imagery that I collect and I watch periodic television shows and movies. Some of my current favourite TV Shows for design inspiration are Outlander, Poldark and Versailles.
How did you feel when you were contacted by Oxford Fashion Studio?
I was excited but to be honest my rational self kicked in and thought “is this a scam?”. I did some research and at the time I was actually in England, so I asked a few people there about the company and everyone knew who they were straight off the bat. It’s now a little surreal, I’m taking this opportunity and giving it my all. Maybe one day I will hold my own independent show in Paris!
Paris Fashion Week – The countdown is on, what’s happening in your studio at the moment?
At the moment my next collections patterns are complete and they are currently getting sampled. I’m spending most of my time organising events and shows to help raise some money to pay for my Paris participation fees which are definitely not cheap!
You have a great family base, tell us a bit about their support over the years?
Let’s just say if it wasn’t for my family I wouldn’t be here doing what I am now. Instead of telling me “oh that’s way too expensive you can’t do that” they are always uplifting, supportive and believe in my capabilities. They will help me with ideas and of course they help me with money when I don’t have it or can’t get it.
What makes your designs different?
I love detail and creating timeless pieces. I don’t follow trends and I just do my own thing. I’m constantly working on sustainability and I have small production runs which means when someone purchases an item they can rest assured that they are not likely to walk past someone or rock up to an event wearing the same outfit as another. When someone purchases a piece they are purchasing a piece that will stay in their wardrobe forever.
You have mentioned that you love to work with wools and silks, but what other fabric would you love to work with ?
I also work a lot with velvets but I’m actually starting to work with cottons and hemp products for my next collection. I love learning about new fabrics and what they can offer Dark Thorn Clothing.
Tell us something about yourself, that your customers wouldn’t know about you?
I’m a country girl through and through, I have no plans on moving to the city and when I’m not working on Dark Thorn Clothing I’m either running my parents tourism on their Flinders Ranges property (Mern Merna Station) or helping my parents on their farm in the Mid North. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty (or face covered in dirt in this case). I also love watersports. I’ve practically grown up on the Murray River and when I get a free weekend I spend my time relaxing at my parents shack on the river’s edge.
Tori-Anne is ready to showcase her designs to the fashion buyers and beauty editors from around the world that will be attending Paris Fashion Week, we wish her the utmost success for her brand and look forward to being a part of her fashion journey!
For our readers based in Adelaide keep a close eye on both Dark Thorn Clothing and Davroe social media sites, there is a special announcement coming soon!
You can find her designs at www.darkthornclothing.com
