Picture: Jane Grimme, Supplied
Glamour spoke to Head Trenery
Earlier this year, the Trenery Guild, a collaborative project that partnered quality clothing with some of South Africa’s leading artists, artisans and craftsmen attended the Investec Art Fair and held a competition for emerging designers to jump-start their futures.
Check out the Q&A below.
As a creative and a designer how much of your work would you consider to be passion and play as well?
The thing I love most about my job is that it doesn’t feel like work! There is a lot of passion in my work for Trenery as it comes naturally to me and the creative process is fun and always really inspiring. My love of pattern, textiles and the craft of making clothing is all wrapped up in the development of Trenery collections. Not to mention my colleagues are all my friends!
What excites you most about working with South Africa's leading artists, artisans and craftspeople for the Investec Art Fair x Trenery Print Competition?
I love to be surprised and to discover ideas that I hadn’t thought of myself, or found in the usual channels. I love the idea of a diverse and uniquely South African perspective brought to the Trenery brand – our South African customers are so important to us and it’s very exciting to collaborate with South Africa in a way that turns our usual relationship around.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?
I’m inspired by many different things around me. Often, it’s the people I work with – what they are wearing to work, or the creative ideas they bring to the office every day, or the never-ending stream of content & social media that I invite into my life. I’m inspired by the print & pattern studios who we see from around the world, fabric and texture, buttons and colour swatches! I am very tactile and love to feel fabrics and I love to imagine how they will take shape as garments.
What can we expect from the Trenery AW20 line?
Rich, saturated colour, lots of beautiful textures in natural fibres – flannel trousers and soft wool knits juxtaposed by silk and lightweight cotton sateens. Always Trenery’s signature tailoring offset by feminine dresses and tops. A graphic approach to print and pattern, with scarf prints at the fore.
Looking at the fashion trends of 2020, what are the Trenery must-haves for every woman’s closet?
Knitted coats in a slightly structured double-knit merino wool – they can be worn over everything! A stunning collection of roll-neck knit pullovers that we love back to a draped wide-leg pant or a print skirt, and a collection of beautifully soft alpaca yarns in jerseys and slouchy long-line cardigans.
Considering fashion and style in Australia and comparing it with what works from the Trenery brand in the South African market, would you say there’s a vast difference? Considering textures, colours, prints and sustainability.
I am pleased to say that there is generally a lot of synergy between Australia and South Africa. As the world is getting smaller, it seems we are designing for an educated man or woman with a global perspective and a desire to shop responsibly. We do feel like we have a special place in the hearts of our South African customers, and they really trust us to take subtle risks with trend, colour or print.
How would you describe your personal
Timeless with a twist. I like to take simple pieces – often with a man-style approach – and mix up proportions, or wear them in a relaxed way.
