WYNN HAMLYN

'THIS IS NICE’ SPEAKS WITH WYNN CRAWSHAW, FOUNDER OF WYNN HAMLYN, ABOUT THEIR MOST RECENT RESORT 23 COLLECTION

‘Tin’: Your Resort 23 Collection made its debut at this year's Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022 and was an absolute standout among many other talented designers. What was it about your Resort 23 Collection that encouraged you to take part in Fashion Week?

WYNN: It’s always been a goal to show at Australian Fashion Week and something we have been wanting to do for a while. The collection was inspired by airport departure lounges which coincided with the borders opening in New Zealand. It felt like the right collection to present to an international crowd as a chance to show how we had developed during Covid.

‘TIN’: When I think of Wynn Hamlyn I think of fresh, youthful, and fun, while still being wearable, designs, and your Resort 23 Collection is no exception. You drew inspiration from “the looks you encounter in a departure lounge”, which at first thought feels the least bit cool or fashionable. But, of course, you have translated it perfectly into this collection with your signature macrame styles, ombre knits and a holiday-inspired floral print co-created with New Zealand Artist, Marcus Watson. As creatives we are often inspired by the less noticeable and more odd things in life, can you share why you were inspired by this usually overlooked style of dressing?

WYNN: We all hadn't been in a departure lounge for so long so when I was back in one I felt like I was looking at it with a new lens and noticing things I had overlooked in the past.

I've always been interested in the way people put together outfits and this idea of mishmashing different styles of clothing together felt really exciting to me.

‘Tin’: Your collections get better and better every season. You seem to have found the perfect balance between each collection feeling new and different while also feeling very “Wynn Hamlyn”. How do you maintain this balance of creating new designs or signatures while staying true to the brand?.

WYNN: A really important foundation of the collection will always be the handmade element. We’re beginning to get recognised by those pieces that have a human touch. And the rest of the collection molds around that element based on what and who is inspiring me at that time

‘Tin’: Is there a piece of advice you would give to upcoming creatives and designers in the Australian/New Zealand fashion industry?

WYNN: Just start in any way you can. Build a good foundation of knowledge and ask questions. It's important to have a good understanding of all areas of fashion and will make you a valuable team member.

‘Tin’: Finally, what is next for Wynn Hamlyn?

WYNN: We are focusing on increasing our brand presence in Northern Hemisphere.