ARNSDORF

Arnsdorf is the label set up by Australian, Jade Sarita Arnott in 2007 who completed both a degree in Creative Arts at VCA and a degree in Fashion Design at RMIT. Arnsdorf is a label based on the art of storytelling. The name of the brand itself infact has a story being a lost family name that Jade has resurrected. Each collection is a tale in a Canterbury sense, the common thread being that each story revolves around the journey of some aspect of self discovery for Jade’s beloved girl next door. Each season can be viewed as a chapter, Chapter 1: ‘I Knew These People’, Chapter 2: ‘The Last Picture, Chapter 3: I Think I’ll Just Stay In’, Chapter 4: ‘I Think We Can Do Great Things’, Chapter 5: ‘The Dawn’, Chapter 6: ‘And You Love’ and most recently Chapter 7 i.e. Spring / Summer 2011 : ‘Opticks. No One Belongs In My Suitcase More Than You’.

The title first alludes to Issac Newton’s groundbreaking study on light entitled ‘Opticks: A treatise of the reflections, refractions, inflections and colours of light.’ (1730) And secondly to Miranda July’s novel ‘No One Belongs Here More Than You’ which is a collection of stories of love a little less ordinary.

The collection is based around the challenge of packing up your belongings either for travel or a big move-some great adventure regardless and attempting to assure your chosen pieces are adept for everything this exploit may bring. This idea is clearly something that resonates deeply with the designer at the moment having just relocated to New York in February.

The collection has a relaxed sophistication. It is at once delicate and feminine yet strong, powerful and tomboyish in its tailored structure however tailored in a nonchalant sense. The colours rich with burgundies and browns yet light and airy being interspersed with creations in pastel hues and understated prints. The sheer pieces no doubt reference and test Newton’s theory. The jewellery consisted of earrings and rings subtly complimented the designs and came courtesy of a collaboration with Melbourne based jewellery designer Estelle Deve.

Jade also recently released a capsule collection with Sportsgirl for Fall / Winter 2010 named ‘Rainbow Storm’ which offers an Arnsdorf retrospective at affordable prices. Inspired by films like Lolita, The Virgin Suicides, Stealing Beauty and Dirty Dancing it is based upon the classic coming of age story where the present and future are bright yet storms brew and rage along the way. The pieces; the Arnsdorf staples-tailored pastels and classic sophisticated colours.

Who knows what adventure Arnsdorf may take us on next as her classic, laidback, pastel, Australian aesthetic melds with the bright city lights of her new playground New York; hopefully it will bring yet another imaginative chapter in her unfinished story.

- Susan Walsh