Livia Arena: An Introduction
Livia Arena's latest collection is now available through the Streetfash online store.
Melbourne based designer Livia Arena’s second collection, ‘The Gathering’ is the product of a collaboration with Melbourne jeweller Deirdre Hoban. Inspired by Hoban’s use of washed-out tones and their mutual admiration for the aesthetics of each other’s designs, the pair have created a classic yet feminine Spring Summer 11/12 collection, incorporating elements of both labels.
“Deirdre and I were introduced to each other by a mutual friend and we threw the idea about for a while. Then all of a sudden, we were working on the Summer collection together. I think it just seemed like a normal thing to do, especially when you consider that we’re both kind of just starting out and I guess it’s easier to collaborate at that point,” said Arena.
The first Summer collection from the Livia Arena label includes beautifully tailored pieces, striking silhouettes and that signature Livia Arena subtle detailing which adds a little luxury to each piece. The partnership of the two designers has certainly given Arena’s designs a fresh perspective, her latest line emanating a strong feminine aesthetic whilst maintaining her prominent classic style.
Although she admits to being cowardly with colour, Arena saw Summer as the perfect opportunity to offset the typically clean lines of her own designs, by referencing Hoban’s soft colour palette.
“I was immediately taken by her sense of colour. I am really reluctant to use colour, but I was very aware that for Summer, colour is actually really important... I think it’s ended up being a lot more feminine than the clothes I create when I work alone,” said Arena.
It’s attention to detail such as the presence of the unique custom print, which makes this collection so distinctive and appealing. The colourful spotted print was the outcome of both artists’ desires to make the collection representative of the hand-made nature of Hoban’s work and the texture of her ceramics. The process involved Hoban creating a large spotted ceramic plate, which was then photographed and manipulated to form the repeatable print now a feature of this collection.
The innovative collection is also composed entirely of natural fibres including high quality silk, cotton and linen, (and combinations of the three) making the clothing light, breathable and ideal for Summer dressing.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University, Arena enrolled in a design course at RMIT before taking a graduate job as a corporate banker. Thankfully, she finally gave into her creative side, thus began the namesake label Livia Arena. Although she felt a career in design conflicted with her previous education, it is clear her escape from the corporate world has inspired her design process; her collections an amalgamation of structure and uninhibited femininity.
Words: Christie Sinclair
Melbourne based designer Livia Arena’s second collection, ‘The Gathering’ is the product of a collaboration with Melbourne jeweller Deirdre Hoban. Inspired by Hoban’s use of washed-out tones and their mutual admiration for the aesthetics of each other’s designs, the pair have created a classic yet feminine Spring Summer 11/12 collection, incorporating elements of both labels.
“Deirdre and I were introduced to each other by a mutual friend and we threw the idea about for a while. Then all of a sudden, we were working on the Summer collection together. I think it just seemed like a normal thing to do, especially when you consider that we’re both kind of just starting out and I guess it’s easier to collaborate at that point,” said Arena.
The first Summer collection from the Livia Arena label includes beautifully tailored pieces, striking silhouettes and that signature Livia Arena subtle detailing which adds a little luxury to each piece. The partnership of the two designers has certainly given Arena’s designs a fresh perspective, her latest line emanating a strong feminine aesthetic whilst maintaining her prominent classic style.
Although she admits to being cowardly with colour, Arena saw Summer as the perfect opportunity to offset the typically clean lines of her own designs, by referencing Hoban’s soft colour palette.
“I was immediately taken by her sense of colour. I am really reluctant to use colour, but I was very aware that for Summer, colour is actually really important... I think it’s ended up being a lot more feminine than the clothes I create when I work alone,” said Arena.
It’s attention to detail such as the presence of the unique custom print, which makes this collection so distinctive and appealing. The colourful spotted print was the outcome of both artists’ desires to make the collection representative of the hand-made nature of Hoban’s work and the texture of her ceramics. The process involved Hoban creating a large spotted ceramic plate, which was then photographed and manipulated to form the repeatable print now a feature of this collection.
The innovative collection is also composed entirely of natural fibres including high quality silk, cotton and linen, (and combinations of the three) making the clothing light, breathable and ideal for Summer dressing.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University, Arena enrolled in a design course at RMIT before taking a graduate job as a corporate banker. Thankfully, she finally gave into her creative side, thus began the namesake label Livia Arena. Although she felt a career in design conflicted with her previous education, it is clear her escape from the corporate world has inspired her design process; her collections an amalgamation of structure and uninhibited femininity.
Words: Christie Sinclair
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