Flowers for a Vagabond

The setting for the Flowers for a Vagabond Spring/Summer presentation was bordered by tall, stripped branches and rising smoke, casting my mind to the moors and marshes of romantic English literature. Comparisons with nature and isolation are quite fitting, as head designer Toby Maclean grew up in a remote section of New South Wales before travelling internationally and launching his label at RAFW in 2010. 


As the first models filed out onto the floor, a black, minimalist approach was in plain sight - highlighted by sheer panels and skilful draping. The collection then gave way to contrasting design details, such as plastic fringing and cuffs, ostrich feather embellishments, with pops of bright yellow, red and metallics. In a nature/structure showdown, each model gazed into the darkness, before slipping through the tree branches and melding into black.