Eleventh Commandment 'Made In Dreams' Spring Summer 2011/12 collection experiments with denim, Printed chiffon and a contemporary use of lace, jersey and linen . Highlights include bustiers, pleat front shorts and playsuits in lightweight chambray denim, along with their signature cut jeans; most notably in the featured warpaint wash. Every Eleventh Commandment garment is 100% Made in Australia.
File on Style caught up with designer Henry Holland on the new Spring Summer collection and to give us a little insight into the creators behind the label.
What is the inspiration for your next collection?
Our SS11/12 ‘Made in Dreams’ collection reflects the optimism and excitement generated by social changes of the early ‘70s and specifically the free-spirited nature of a young Stevie Nicks. However while the collection does reference this ethos, is has been created with a contemporary design aesthetic and is definitely targeted at a very modern customer.
What is your favourite piece from the collection?
My favourite piece from the collection would have to be the black Iconoclast kaftan. It is constructed with a beautiful soft chiffon and features our custom ‘Peacenik’ sublimation print on the back.
Are their any celebrities/artists/icons that you take inspiration from when designing?
During the development phase of each collection we take strong inspiration from the music we are listening to at the time. During the early stages of ‘Made in Dreams’ that included the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Alternatively our AW2011 ‘Made in the Future’ collection, which is in stores nationwide at the moment, drew inspiration from Yeasayer and some other more contemporary artists.
While we associate closely with music and pop culture, we actively shy away from celebrity culture and the mass-market trends that it fosters so I can’t say there are any celebrities that we take inspiration from.
What are your style staple pieces?
Jeans! Jeans are the ultimate style staple. Jeans are our passion and our livelihood. We sometimes play a game where we talk about which jeans would be most suitable in a hypothetical situation. For example in a zombie apocalypse I would definitely want to be wearing my 12.5oz selvage Harlequin cut Eleventh Commandment jeans, as they are heavy enough that zombies wouldn’t be able to bite through them, but soft and forgiving enough that I wouldn’t be restricted when unleashing my fatal roundhouse kick.
Do you have a shopping weakness?
I don’t have a shopping weakness as I pretty much exclusively wear Eleventh Commandment and therefore don’t do much shopping. As a result I allocate weakness into all of the other aspects of my life. For example I have a weak vocabulary, and find it heaps hard to speak words good… and stuff.
Do you have to spend to be stylish?
Definitely not. In fact there is no more amusing sight than the individual that struts around with an unmistakable air of arrogance because they are wearing an expensive brand, ignorant to the fact that they look like a fool. Style is not determined by money.
Which fashion designers have been important points of reference or inspiration for you?
My three favourite labels before we started Eleventh Commandment were City of Others, Material Boy and Thousand Reasons. Unfortunately all three of those labels went out of business within six months of our launch so that was a bit of a concern. These days I have a lot of respect for the Swedish denim mafia (Nudie / Cheap Monday / Dr Denim) as well as other internationals like Stolen Girlfriends Club and Helmut Lang. All that being said I still think Australian fashion has a lot to offer and I genuinely think we have some of the most talented designers in the world.
What has been the greatest challenge for you so far?
It is difficult to pinpoint a single challenge. There have been so many along the way and every day throws up new ones. We are constantly busy, between running the label during the day and fighting crime in tight spandex costumes at night we rarely get any time to ourselves.
What has been you career highlight?
Having Digitalism approach us to create a design for them was a big thrill for me. Also milestones like our first international stockist. But I would have to say the biggest highlight is still when you work on a difficult garment for a long time and you have to go back and forth and adjust and resample and then finally it comes out absolutely perfect. There is no greater thrill than that as far as I’m concerned.
What kind of advice can you offer to aspiring designers?
Don’t drink and drive. You will run the risk of spilling beer on your favourite jeans. And you really can’t afford to wash them as you will need to have them handy at all times in case of a zombie apocalypse.
Website: www.eleventhcommandment.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eleventh.commandment.denim
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ECDenim
Email this page