Limedrop AW12 Lookbook & Interview
We speak to Nathan Price about new collection, 'The Adventure'.
Over the past few years, Limedrop is a name that has slowly but surely been making itself known around the fashion traps. Previous collections have seen the Melbourne-based duo of Nathan Price and Clea Woods step up to the Australian fashion plate and raise the bar like few others in recent years (like last years inclusion of cats at their RAFW runway show). Their latest collection for AW12, 'The Adventure', once again showcases their perfect understanding of digital prints and flowing lines, as well as adding a certain maturity to their staple pieces.
Katy Hall: What's the history behind Limedrop?
Nathan Price: We were both studying at QUT in Brisbane. Clea had always wanted to run a fashion label and during a holiday to Melbourne, the fashion scene inspired us to stop talking about it and we decided to start Limedrop. We were still at university but we were too keen to wait until we graduated to start the label.
Was there a plan when you started out?
We kind of winged it at the start. In Brisbane, we started out printing designs onto sweatshop-free t-shirts and dresses. Then we moved to Melbourne were we had access to more manufacturers and started adding pants and jackets to our ranges. From there we started creating full collections with custom fabrics and creative silhouettes. We've now really settled on the Limedrop look and we're just expanding on that each season.
What do you see as the constants between your work?
We have always been adventurous with our use of colour and that flows into our exclusive digital prints. Our prints are often photographic-based although they can sometimes be quite obscure. We also like to play with silhouettes, creating volume and drape where you wouldn't usually expect it and tying it in with more traditional shapes.
'The Adventure' is set around the idea of one minute experiencing everything the city has to offer and then the excitement of traveling to a foreign environment. There are two stories that sit next to each other quite comfortably. The city story is based around an exclusive print called 'City Lights' which is a series of bright blurry street lights. The colours are more subtle and we use a lot of light woolen fabrics in teals and mustards and fine cotton and silk blends in maroons. The traveling story is depicted by the exclusive printed titled 'Night Lights' and is an image of a sunset over a Peruvian town with Aztec inspired shapes projected over the top. We use more bright colours in technical sports fabrics and woven flannelettes.
What are the things that make Melbourne feel like home to you?
The people are so inviting. It's fast paced, but people really want to get to know each other and create a community and culture. You are never alone or bored in Melbourne.
What are you favourite places for coffee?
Min Lokal around the corner from our studio in Fitzroy.
What do you get up to in your spare time?
We rarely have spare time but when we do, a quick drive out of town clears the head. If we've only got our lunch break we'll drive to Warrandyte and eat our lunch by the river, it's only half an hour out of town but feels a world away. If we have a few days we either head to Mornington Peninsula or down the Great Ocean Road.
What are the best places in Melbourne to take out-of-towners?
When the weather is good, the Rooftop Bar and Cinema in the city is great. You get a perfect aspect of the city from their fake grass deck.
What are the worst things about Melbourne?
The pollen can drive you crazy. Our studio is in Fitzroy and the trees in the area have crazy amounts of pollen. Most people would say the unpredictable weather, but that's half the fun of Melbourne. It keeps you on your toes when getting dressed in the morning.
What would you and Clea would be doing if you weren't designing?
Realistically, I'd be working in brand management or social marketing but Clea always says I'd be great as a continuity clerk in movies as I have a strong eye for details.
What's on the horizon for Limedrop?
We have finished designing SS12/13 and we're really looking forward to seeing the collection hanging as a whole on the racks and how the campaign shoot comes together.
Words: Katy Hall
Ingrid Kesa
