FASHFEST 2017: An Interview with Designer Charly Thorn

Q: Congratulations Charly on your second appearance at FASHFEST! Was the experience different for you this time around (now that you knew what to expect), or was it still just as exhilarating as your debut show last year?

A: Thank you very much. It’s so much fun being part of FASHFEST. I think I was more organized and things went much smoother as I knew what to expect. All the clothes looked great on the runway and the models just rocked it! It’s a thrill seeing your own creations on the catwalk—just as much this year as last year. With a new collection there are always nerves and I always wonder how the designs will be received by the audience.

Q: We understand you recently showcased your beautiful designs at Vancouver Fashion Week – what an incredible achievement! Please tell us more about this experience? How do you think homegrown events such as FASHFEST help designers to prepare for taking their work to the international stage?

A: VFW was a lot of fun, very tight schedules and crazy right before the models go on. I think FASHFEST is a great experience to prepare any designer to showcase internationally because you learn so much about the many different creatives that have come together. I learned, for example, how to speak to hair and makeup creatives about what I want, which was fantastic.

It’s also a great experience doing fittings with different bodies and shapes, and being able to think quickly about how to get the most out of each look. Everything moves very fast backstage on the night, and being put under pressure at FASHFEST was a good test for VFW. FASHFEST is a wonderful experience in that it brings so many creatives together. It’s very professional and very exciting! I’m thankful to have been a part of the event again this year.

Q: We adored the tropical, summer holiday vibes of the collection you showcased at FASHFEST and couldn’t get enough of the laid-back yet utterly stylish garments. What was the inspiration(s) behind this collection?

A: This collection was inspired by my childhood. I spent half of my childhood (the summer season) on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays and the other half (winter) in Cooma. I spent a lot of time sailing with my parents, and I think the resort style lifestyle influenced my designs with this collection. I also wanted to use high-quality fabrics to highlight the high-end resort lifestyle. The printed fabric is 100% linen and I had it printed up in Sydney. I also used 100% Australian Merino wool (the teal fabric) and 100% silk chiffon (the white fabric). I’m very happy to be showing Australian wool once again on the catwalk. It’s a fiber I’ve closely connected to.

Q: What advice would you offer to emerging fashion designers also wanting to showcase their work at prestigious fashion events such as FASHFEST?

A: Go for it! Give it everything you have and work as hard as you can to create something you’re truly proud of. There’s no better feeling than seeing your designs brought to life on the runway. It drives you to do it again, and again, and again.

Q: Lastly, where can our readers find out more about, or follow, your work?

A: You can follow my story on:Instagram: @charly_thorn_designsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/charly.thorn.designer/Website: www.charlythorn.com

.We want to thank Charly Thorn for taking the time to answer our interview questions and strongly encourage you to check out her work at the links above. You can also learn more about Canberra’s wonderful fashion event, FASHFEST, by visiting their website, Facebook page, or Instagram (@fashfest). Enjoy!.All images by Martin Ollman | Hair led by FASHFEST’s Director of Hair, Craig Rhodes | MUA led by FASHFEST’s Director of Makeup, Diana Cheetham | On location: National Convention Centre | Audiovisual production: Elite Event Technology