A young Julian Louie left California to study architecture at Cooper Union University in New York. Two years later he discovered a passion for fashion, which he believed had the same imaginative force as architecture in defining the contexts of modern living.
In 2005, with an internship at Imitation of Christ, Julian got to enter the field firsthand. Subsequently, the young architect - now in love with fashion - joined the Calvin Klein style office headed by Francisco Costa. This makes the latter's choice of Julian as his protégé for the ambitious Australian Merino wool initiative all the more significant.
Julian Louie's collection for the Protégé Project:
Characterised by contrasts, the collection Julian Louie designed for the Protégé Project merges opulence and austerity, full forms and clean lines, structured silhouettes and lavish details. The mood is young, audacious and sophisticated.
Proportions capture a new concept in volume: darts, puffs, pleats and gatherings redesign the figure. Perfectly offset by rich embroideries inspired by Robert Motherwell and Gustav Klimt paintings.
The palette presents variations on metallic grey, from pewter to graphite, lead to silver. Adding warmth to these tones is an intense shade of gold, as well as inserts and applications in primary colours (red, yellow, blue) interspersed with white.
Exalting Merino wool's versatility, Julian Louie constructs precious balloon dresses, preppie-style pants cut off at ankles, coats and jackets in ultra simple lines. This is a truly New York interpretation, at once bold and elegant, of the Australian fibre.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
marketing@alchempro.com
