The opening show on our final day of fashion week Australia 2021 was a special one. Because it marked the debut of Byron Bay designer brand St Agni.
The collection, simply titled Resort 22, is exactly what you would expect to see from St Agni - in the best way possible. A capsule of elevated, 'less-is-more' staples this particular edit from brand founders Lara and Matt Fells and Head Designer Erika Toscano seek to redefine the idea of event dressing.
The front row at this show today was packed with editors, influencers and tastemakers all wearing St Agni - a sign of the brand's undeniable popularity. Because a St Agni piece is one that is truly timeless, that can be worn again and again. It's a fail safe purchase.
This functional wearability is exactly what we saw today, this time with a French twist. Founders Fells and Toscano took inspiration from the South of France, it's bleached cliffs, sun-drenched afternoons, elegance and opulence. These moods take form in clean lines, expert fits, stripes and a monochromatic palette. We saw gender-neutral tailoring, relaxed shirting and layering juxtaposed with the intimacy of silk and delicate draping.
The show itself sought to transport viewers to an art-gallery-like experience. Model floated down the runway, one that was decorated by earthy sculptures in wood and stone crafted by Byron Bay artist Lex Williams and German artist Yasmin Bawa.
“Resort ’22 redefines what we label as ‘event dressing’ and exists in the space between, the use of sustainably ranked fabrics that still capture the premium feel silk possesses, the weight of tailoring and the insouciance of linen are significant elements and considerations that draws the consumer in. The pre-planning of a collection, researching and revisiting the brand ideals have naturally allowed us to put a bigger emphasis on sustainability and what this means to us,” said Fells.
“The past year has undoubtedly been an experience that every designer, brand and business has felt on some level, the uncertainty of the future has never felt like such a driving force in decision making. We feel so grateful and lucky to still be doing what we love, being a brand that’s foundation has been creating pieces with longevity in mind, we were fortuitous in the sense our designs are versatile and hold the ability to shape shift to different contexts.
"The foundations of the brand are what carried us through the more treacherous times the past year, and if anything it has solidified the values we hold close. We’ve placed a greater emphasis on our environmental and social responsibility and continue to learn how our industry can make positive change,” said Fells.
Expect St Agni's Resort 22 to hit the online store come the holiday season.
