Canadian-born, Sydney-based designer Inder Dhillon is going places and fast. Having just debuted a 30-piece collection at MBFWA, as part of the TAFE Innovators show, she’s also had her work exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum, the Strand Arcade and featured in Vogue Italia. She’s definitely not your average ex-Macquarie Bank staffer, then. We caught up with the designer to talk technique, cross-cultural inspiration and her SS13 collection ‘Pretty Tomboy’.

pages: What kind of feedback have you received from collection, since your MBFWA debut?
Inder Dhillon: The feedback has been quite positive. The collection has been well received with people looking forward to seeing what comes next season. It’s been very rewarding to see that people understood the vision of what I was trying to achieve.

How did it feel to be featured on Vogue Italia online?
It was a really surreal feeling. I remember re-reading the text about five times from the stylist when she had asked for the pieces. Once it went live, it was just an incredible feeling of pride, affirmation and reassurance.

What drew you to working with traditional Northern Indian techniques?
My heritage is Northern Indian. My dad always wanted us to know about our ancestors, so he took us to India a few times when we were kids. The intricacy, craftsmanship and the boldness of the traditional attire always fascinated me. Although it was over the top, there were always such beautiful elements in the work. It all just needed a bit of editing, that’s all!

Can modern Western fashion learn anything from these age-old design styles?
Absolutely! And you see it being referenced in French couture houses all the time. Designers such as Naeem Khan in New York have been inspired by these techniques in an eveningwear capacity for decades. I just wanted to bring it into a more everyday environment.

Your designs are so elaborate; can you tell us why embellishment is important in your work?
I am very passionate about textiles. Textures, techniques and different dimensions within textiles are what drive my design process. I’ve always first developed my concept around the textiles and surface textures I want to explore before the silhouettes.

Why is the collection named ‘Pretty Tomboy’?
I wanted the first collection to be a statement of who I am as a designer and what the brand stands for. Pretty Tomboy encapsulates the essence of the type of woman who wears the range – gorgeous and delicate in her own right, yet not afraid to be bold and powerful.

Do you consider your work a playful approach to things like gender and ethnicity? There’s a lot of opposites, combining in the collection.
I’m glad it translates that way. That has always been the intent behind what I do. In the third year of my studies, I draped aluminum mesh to create the skirt of an evening gown – creating a contradiction between the expected and end result is what makes the design process fulfilling for me. We are fortunate to be in a society where individuality is embraced – we all have a unique story, so why follow the norms of what is expected of the garments we wear?

If you could work with any designer, who would it be and why?
Haider Ackermann. He is a true artist that creates remarkable masterpieces in everything he does. His way of being, his vision and his design aesthetic have always inspired me. It would be an absolute honour to work with such an incredible innovator as him.

Can you describe the Inder Dhillon brand in 5 words for us?
That’s surprisingly difficult for me! Umm I’d probably say sophisticated, elaborate yet relaxed (does that count as three?), classic and contrasting.

What plans do you have for the future?
I’m quite excited about the future! I’m in the process of getting a studio space, heading to Hong Kong and India to develop the next range, and super excited to share the A/W collection with everyone! Winter is where us Canadians thrive!!

Original Post – Pagesdigital.com