By Aine Dowling.
Over the last three years Zilpah tart has established itself as a well-known label in the Canberra region, and is recognised for its unusual and colourful prints that represent Canberra’s unique environment. Designer Yumi Morrissey uses Canberra themed fabrics which include the famous Parliament House dress, through to Canberra’s spring blossoms, and the bright and bold autumn colours of Vivid. Her latest collection, based on a slightly different Canberra theme, will be showcased at FASHFEST 2016.
Federal Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann, wearing Zilpah tart Parliament House panel dress
Zilpah tart fashion is easily wearable, and recognisable! It’s designed for women who like to stand out in a crowd but be comfortable at the same time. Her designs have been worn by high-profile Canberra women including Federal Member MP Gai Brodtmann, and Senator Katie Gallagher, both of whom embraced the originality of the Canberra themed garments.
Yumi designs her own fabrics for her collections. She takes photographs around the Canberra region and manipulates the images using Photoshop to repeat the pattern, creating beautiful and intricate prints onto the soft feminine fabrics. “For my latest collection I had to travel a little further afield as I couldn’t get close enough to the images in Canberra,” says Yumi, “so I had to make a side trip to Crookwell and use images from there.” The images from Crookwell are only a part of the collection which also includes beautiful Canberra sunsets over the Brindabella ranges, and stunning images from a particularly well-known annual Spectacular event!
Vivid—autumn/winter collection 2016
Vivid red print – original photograph
Vivid red print fabric and dress
Bloom—spring/summer collection 2015
Canberra spring blossoms in Bloom collection
Parliament Kaleidoscope—autumn collection 2015
Parliament Kaleidoscope print panel dress
And what’s in store for spring 2016? Here’s a sneak peek—can you guess what Spectacular event this is?
One of Zilpah tart’s new print fabrics for FASHFEST 2016
Zilpah tart is available online at their website or from CARDIF Collective, The Parliament Shop, and Canberra Handmade Market.
Zilpah tart collection FASHFEST 2015 – photo by LFW
Zilpah tart will be showcasing her latest collection at FASHFEST 2016 on Friday 30 September Show Two at 8.30pm at the National Convention Centre. Tickets on sale now!
Images courtesy Zilpah tart except where indicated.
LFW MAGAZINE 