Interview with Spelly from Spell Designs

INTERVIEW WITH SPELLY AND A BEHIND THE SCENES PEEK AT SPELL’S LATEST REVOLVER COLLECTION.

Spell is one of the most popular brands that we stock at The Freedom State and there’s no question about why! For years now Spell has continued to dazzle and inspire with incredible, feminine designs, with something for everyone. We had a chat to the leading lady and designer, Spelly, about her process and how she style’s some of her signature pieces!

WHERE DID YOU LEARN YOUR TRADE?

I taught myself how to make jewellery, just by making it around the clock all day everyday for years. I did go to TAFE in Box Hill Melbourne, and studied fashion industry studies, which touched on every single aspect of the design process to running a business.

 WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS PALETTES AND SILHOUETTES? 

Everyday life! Seeing colours in peoples clothes in the streets, looking online at old buildings, fabrics and textiles … buying vintage pieces that inspire me helps a lot too. I find surrounding myself in the office with millions of amazing vintage fabrics and pieces , means that you are constantly getting inspired with what’s around you. My favourite pallets don’t change much.  I’m obsessed with turquoise, peach, pinks and reds.  But each season, a new colour will jump out for no reason, and I’ll go with that.  I guess what ever I’m surrounded by at the time, determines which colour I use in the season.

WHAT DOES YOUR DESIGN PROCESS INVOLVE?  

Firstly I search my files and fabrics for a glimpse of inspiration that I will then use to create a “brief” to give to my graphic team.  Once the print is finished, I then sketch up some silhouettes and work out what styles work with the print. Our design team then draws everything up on the computer and we go over all the shapes and tiny details to then hand over to tech team who hands it over to the factory to get the first sample made.  We then have the fitting process, where we fit the garment and make any design changes and fit notes, and then await the final sample.  It’s a long process and can take up to 10 months to see a finished sample, from the time we drew the initial sketch! So it’s so amazing when you see the final garments, because everyone works so hard to get it to that stage!

WHAT’S THE ONE PIECE YOU’VE DESIGNED THAT YOU ALWAYS LOOK BACK ON AS YOUR FAVOURITE?

The playsuit.  I had an idea to make a slouchy playsuit with buttons and ties, that hitched up at the sides to make the hemline look a lot more sexy and flattering, it ended up being a best seller for about 3 years! And maybe it started the playsuit trend..  ha ha!

HOW WOULD YOU STYLE THE FOLLOWING…

A ROCKER TEE

Paired back with black leather shorts and gyPsy rocker boots, but you must wear a long bright floral kimono over the top to soften the look and give it something flowy.

A FLOWING GOWN

I’d wear it open, with a rocker tee and leather shorts underneath, and some gumboots and an Akubra hat, and wear that to a festival so you can walk through the crowds with the gown flowing behind you and have some leg showing at the front to keep it sexy!

A TIGHT CROCHET MINI

Wedge heels, and big carved leather tassel bag, and an Akubra hat!

BEHIND THE SCENES OF ‘REVOLVER’

We all lust over the finished pics and clips of a collection, but what we don’t see is how much work goes on behind the scenes.  We were excited that the Spell team had shared their snapshots from ‘Revolver’ which is arriving in stores now.

This is what Lizzy had to say about the shoot:

‘There was always a strong vision of shooting Revolver in the Australian outback since the very first mood boards of the collection, so we set out to find the perfect ghost town in the Australian outback. It wasn’t without its challenges – there were so many beautiful spots but some of them quite hard to get to, especially when you are flying an internationally based model like Shanina Shaik! But we found Silverton, close to Broken Hill was absolute perfection.

Lulu and Mel headed out to location a couple of days early so by the time the rest of the crew arrived they were almost locals (haha!), we were even greeted by an “A-Team” cardboard sign as we walked into the airport.. and the A Team it was!

Some of the crew headed off early, before the sun rose to check out some locations so Ming shot Spelly on the beautiful dusty road that lead to Day Dream Mine.. (Spelly wears the silk blend slip that comes with our Bride ’16 range, coming soon!). The scenery was breathtaking.

The conditions were not forgiving for a photo shoot – flies EVERYWHERE, dusty and hot. But so beautiful, still, quiet and peaceful as well. There is definitely something so special about the Australian outback, if you haven’t had a chance to visit, please make you add that to the bucket list!’

Revolver Campaign Behind the Scenes
Images by Lizzy Abegg, Luciana Rose and Mel Carrero
Images of Spelly by Ming Nomchong

REVOLVER MAY/JUNE 16 COLLECTION

Photography Ming Nomchong
Muse Shanina Shaik
Concept, styling & art direction by Spelly & Lizzy
Hair Luciana Rose & Makeup Ashlea Penfold
Photography Assistant Grant Tyrrell 
Production Mel Carrero | Styling Assistant Lily Reed Jones | Set Styling Lucy Ewing
Campaign & BTS Film by Stefan José Films 

SHOP REVOLVER NOW 2016 HERE AT THE FREEDOM STATE