Ever since Ethan Bergersen saw Alexander McQueen’s 2001 Voss collection online, he knew he wanted to be a designer. “Seeing McQueen’s work really opened my mind up to fashion being about more than clothing,” he says. Now, an honours student at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and recipient of the Australian Fashion Foundation Scholarship Awards, Ethan is making his mark in the Australian fashion landscape.
Comprising six looks, his graduate collection Ecdysis draws inspiration from the process of the same name where reptiles shed their old skin. Although Ethan’s collection mimics animal products like leather, fur and textiles, every element is created entirely from wool, recycled plastic and gemstones.
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“I have created all of these pieces from scratch by naturally dyeing my own fabric with plant dye and sewing on over 30,000 stone beads,” he says. Achieving this was no easy feat. “I think the hardest part of creative design is advocating for your ideas and having the belief that you can achieve what feels like an impossible task at times,” Ethan says.
Ethan’s collection is one of many student works that will be on display at the National Graduate Showcase x Emporium Melbourne as part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on March 4. Held at the Royal Exhibition Building, the runway will feature 13 graduate designers hand-picked from Australia’s leading fashion institutions. It’s always an exciting glimpse into the future of Australian fashion and Fashion Journal is proud to be a long-time media partner of the event.
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Fashion Journal: Hi Ethan! Tell us a bit about how you got started in fashion. Did you always want to be a designer?
Ethan: I always had a passion for illustration and sculpture however the process of having someone wear and embody my work is what got me hooked on fashion. I remember when I first watched an Alexander McQueen show on YouTube it was the 2001 Voss show. Seeing McQueen’s work really opened my mind up to fashion being about more than clothing. McQueen’s concepts of the inhuman body, fashion as art and his appreciation of the natural world are all aspects that continue to inspire me.
Tell me about the collection you’re showing for the National Graduate Showcase. What was your inspiration?
My collection, Ecdysis, is inspired by human-animal hybrids leading me to create pieces that extend, restrict and join the human body to create new silhouettes and textures. Ecdysis is the scientific term for when reptiles shed their skin. I chose this for the name of my collection because the concept of using fashion to change your skin and evolve into something new is at the heart of my work. The leather, fur and scale textiles are faux animal products I created from wool, recycled plastic and gemstones. My work embraces beauty and extravagance while also demonstrating innovation and sustainability.
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What has the process of creating your collection been like?
My collection consists of six looks. I have created all of these pieces from scratch by naturally dyeing my own fabric with plant dye and sewing on over 30,000 stone beads. Time management and ensuring I maximise my productivity have been key to achieving my goals. I think the hardest part of creative design is advocating for your ideas and having the belief that you can achieve what feels like an impossible task at times.
How would you describe your collection to someone who’s never seen it before?
I would describe my collection as an evolution of the human body. It embraces the beauty of animals and the natural world to create new skins and bodies.
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What are you most proud of in your work so far?
I’m most proud of the aesthetic I’ve created with my work. I think as a young designer it takes a lot of work to discover who you are and how you want to present to the world. I feel like I have achieved a collection that both speaks to the avant-garde and luxury aspects of fashion that I love.
What do you wish you knew when you started on your collection?
Looking back on the past year I think making a better plan for a work-life balance would’ve been beneficial. This is something I think many creatives struggle with and it’s something that you learn with time.
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Who is exciting you the most in local fashion right now?
Nicol and Ford is a big influence on my work. Seeing queer designers celebrating queer identity and history in Australia is very inspirational. Their work offers an alternative to the typical Australian fashion aesthetics which is something I think is necessary for the industry to evolve.
What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
Australia is such a diverse country filled with many amazing cultures and perspectives, so I would love to see this reflected in the fashion industry.
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Who are your dream collaborators?
A dream of mine has always been to work at Alexander McQueen. Being part of a brand that has such a strong history of challenging the fashion industry and platforming new perspectives through high-end execution would be extremely rewarding.
Where do you hope to be in the next five years?
In the next five years, I hope to have gained more practical experience in the fashion industry whether that be overseas or at home in Australia. My ultimate goal is to start my own label and share my ideas and perspective with the world.
How can we see more of your work?
You can see my work and keep up with my projects on my Instagram.
Get your tickets to the NGS Showcase at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival here.
This article This student designer’s collection is inspired by reptiles shedding their skin appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-02-18 11:59:00
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