Continuing our support of the bright young things of fashion, this year we’ve teamed up with Frankie magazine to support the LMFF Metamorphosis Student Showcase.  We caught up with the amazingly talented finalists as they get set to hit the catwalk.

Meet 23-year-old Robyn Taggart - a Queensland University of Technology grad who takes her background in science and brings it to fashion, creating sculptural, geometric, unique pieces that we want to wear!

SG: Hi Robyn! Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I love setting challenges that are going to push my limits. During my final year of study I was working backstage on fashion shows and visual merchandising for Westfield (Carindale), while selling fabric and serving coffee. I started out doing a Science degree to study anatomy, but I’m definitely in love with fashion and dressing the body.

SG: Congrats on being chosen for the LMFF Showcase! How does it feel to be involved?

It’s pretty incredible. Such an amazing opportunity to show on the same program as some established designers who inspire me.

SG: Can you describe your collection for the Metamorphosis Student Showcase?

‘Logic’ is a womenswear collection which draws on gravity, physical form, and algorithms occurring in nature for Autumn/Winter, created by draping specific shapes around the body. I used heavy wool, leather, silk satin, chiffon and hand-dyed the wool jersey for unique colours. I explored tailoring, print, drape, knitwear and hand-knits. The collection won me the 2009 QUT Professional Excellence Award, presented by the Design Institute of Australia.

SG: What is the inspiration behind your collection?

Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest of places- in my case from maths and science. Using a maths equation, I was able to create shapes, patterns and colours for the collection.

SG: When did the light bulb go off in your head that fashion is what you wanted to do?

I initially studied a Bachelor of Science with hopes of becoming an anatomist. The switch came on after a tutor saw my anatomy sketchbook and said I had ‘missed my calling’. I decided instead to dress rather than dissemble the body. So, for the current collection the concept idea came when I was in New York at a vintage fair and stumbled upon some amazing anatomy pages from the early 1900’s. After that everything started falling into place.

SG: What's your dream job?

I would love to travel to the fashion capitals of the world and work with a legendary designer from each, before coming back to Australia and starting my own label.

SG: Where to from here?

I have stock going into The Tribune store (part of the Jean Brown group) in Brisbane, as well as a collaboration with yarn company Biggan Designs to create hand-knitted versions of my graduate knitwear. I’m going to try and gain some industry experience and continue to design for my label on the side.