RMIT fashion design student Madeleine Triggs drew on a range of typical textures for her graduate collection, including leather, wool and silk. But when envisioning how her designs would take shape, Maddy put hair as the centrepiece. Aptly titled Mane, her collection comprises five looks inspired by traditional dressage attire.
Working with the unconventional material forced Maddy to adapt her design skills. “It obviously doesn’t behave the same way as fabric typically does, so learning to manipulate it through various techniques has been interesting but very rewarding,” she says.
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Madeleine’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 Madeleine! Tell us a bit about how you got started in fashion. Did you always want to be a designer?
Madeleine: I’ve always known I wanted to pursue design. I remember telling my kindergarten teacher I wanted to be a fashion designer because I was good a picking out my Mum’s outfits in the morning. That early love for clothes and creativity really stuck with me as I got older. In high school, I had an amazing textile teacher who really sparked my passion and helped me understand the steps I needed to take to make a career out of it.
Moving to Melbourne to study at RMIT was a big step, and it was there that I truly immersed myself in the fashion world. I had the chance to intern with brands like Nu Form Movement and Romance Was Born, which gave me invaluable hands-on experience.
Tell me about the collection you’re showing for the National Graduate Showcase. What was your inspiration?
My collection, Mane, is the result of everything I’ve been working on during my honours year. It builds on ideas from my past collections, forming a mix of research and textile development. I was inspired by traditional dressage attire and decided to use hair as a material to tell the story of my collection.
Mane juxtaposes classic pieces like tailored riding jackets with diaphanous silk organza dresses while incorporating contemporary techniques like embroidered hair and detailed appliqués. I’m interested in how fashion can tell a story that merges the past with the present, combining craftsmanship with modern innovation.
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What has the process of creating your collection been like?
Creating my five looks for NGS has definitely been filled with plenty of highs and lows. One of the biggest challenges has actually been learning to work with hair extensions. I feel like I’ve been training as a hairdresser as well as a designer! It obviously doesn’t behave the same way as fabric typically does, so learning to manipulate it through various techniques has been interesting but very rewarding.
Learning to tailor my jackets, from drafting collars to binding seams has also been a major milestone in developing this collection. It was definitely a goal I had going into my honours year and it feels very rewarding to see the final results.
How would you describe your collection to someone who’s never seen it before?
I’d describe Mane as a collection that’s all about craftsmanship and the juxtaposition of strong leather and wool against billowing silk organzas, blending the traditional with the modern. It features unique elements like hair, hand embroidery and hand-dyed lace appliqué to build a tapestry of textures that invite the viewer to look closer. It’s a collection that really invites you to explore the details and see how each element plays off the others to tell a story.
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What are you most proud of in your work so far?
Two pieces from my collection really represent the heart of my work and I’m the most proud of them. The black embroidered riding coat was the first piece I started on. It involved drafting a pattern, testing fabrics and hand-embroidering, all of which pushed me to develop crucial skills that will stick with me throughout my career. The blonde hair stirrup bag blends hardware, leather, hair and tattooing to create a completely unique design. It was an exciting exploration of material and a concept I’d love to continue developing.
What do you wish you knew when you started on your collection?
I feel like this is always the case with anything creative but I wish I’d known just how long everything would take to do! There were some points when developing the collection that felt never-ending and as though I might not be able to translate my vision to life. That being said, it’s all part of the process and in these moments there were major breakthroughs that made the collection what it is today.
Who is exciting you the most in local fashion right now?
One of the reasons I love Australia (and specifically Melbourne) is the local fashion industry. I feel like there’s such a strong hub of emerging talent that continuously reignites my passion as a designer. Some labels I love at the moment are Karlaidlaw, Apres Studio and Amy Cottrell.
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What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
It’s heartbreaking to see many Australian brands closing down due to fast fashion brands that are often quick to knock off designers and mass-produce collections. I think we need to shift towards valuing investment pieces that support local artisans who put real craftsmanship into their work. The local fashion industry needs more support in terms of consumer education, creating a culture that prioritises quality over quantity and encourages sustainable purchases.
Who are your dream collaborators?
I’m so lucky to have such creative friends who surround and inspire me daily. I love to collaborate and exchange ideas with lots of them across many different areas as we all develop our practices. On a larger scale, designers like Simone Rocha, Hodakova, and Jean Paul Gaultier are huge sources of inspiration.
Where do you hope to be in the next five years?
In the next five years, I’d love to be working with a brand in a design capacity, gaining more hands-on experience and learning from others in the industry. I hope to be in a role that allows me to travel and see the world. Collaboration will always be a focus, and I hope to continue working on my own practice and with others.
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How can we see more of your work?
I’m honoured to be showing off my collection as a part of the Nation Graduate Showcase x Emporium for Melbourne Fashion Festival. I’m also excited to continue to collaborate with amazing emerging creatives on exciting shoots and projects (which you can find on my Instagram).
Follow Maddy here.
This article Why student designer Madeleine Triggs’ used hair as the centrepiece for her graduate collection appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-02-17 10:27:00
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