FASHFEST 2016: SZN | HER CANBERRA

PHOTO: Daniel Spellman

SOULFUL, INTELLIGENT CLOTHES. THAT’S WHAT INSPIRES SUZAN DLOUHY, THE FASHION DESIGNER BEHIND INDEPENDENT LABEL SZN.

Suzan’s new collection promises to smash it on the catwalk at FASHFEST 2016, and here’s why.

Each piece in the collection, called ‘150’, is created from square pieces of fabric measuring precisely 150 cm x 150 cm. Suzan continues to focus on minimal waste in her work, using as much of a piece of fabric as possible, conscious of the fashion industry’s reputation for discarding tonnes of material a year.

With ‘150’, Suzan has carefully selected a range of all-natural fibres that are comfortable and beautiful to wear—organic wool, cotton and hemp. The designs, true to SZN’s aesthetic, focus on simplicity and craftsmanship and appeal to the wearer’s non-conforming spirit.

“The pieces are one-size-fits-all and can be worn from size 8 to size 20 because they drape differently on each body,” says SZN. “They’re oversized garments with a minimal silhouette that you can wear layered.”

Also true to SZN’s aesthetic is a somewhat androgynous look, with Suzan’s designs appealing to men and women. ‘Many artists wear my designs,” says Suzan. “And people who are conceptual thinkers.”

This will be SZN’s third appearance at FASHFEST. Guests can expect a monochrome look and a “super simplified collection”.

After FASHFEST 2014, Suzan moved from Canberra to Melbourne where she’s been teaching fashion at The Social Studio, a fashion label, shop and café that celebrates the style and skills of diverse cultures in Australia. At The Social Studio, she’s had the opportunity to work with young people with talent who have experienced being a refugee.

Suzan is also busy working on collaborations with other artists, and has created costumes for two short sci-fi films and worked with a production company as a costume assistant on a movie coming out soon. She’s also produced garments worn by talent in music videos.

SZN stocks in three Melbourne retail outlets — Milly Sleeping, Northern Thread and The Social Studio. Suzan also stocks in Canberra at Assemblage Project in Braddon, owned by Karen Lee (who designs for a fashion label under her own name and will also launch a collection at FASHFEST 2016).

‘Assemblage Project is fantastic,” says Suzan. “Karen is such a great operator and as a shop owner who is also a designer, she “gets it”.”

FASHFEST is being held 29 September to 1 October. Three nights. Six distinctive shows. One total fashion experience. Tickets on sale soon: www.fashfest.com.au