After giving us one of the most exhilarating shows at Australian Fashion Week last year, we were raring to get backstage at Erik Yvon’s second solo runway show.
Better yet, right after the show we got to ask Erik a few v important questions about the collection — who was front of mind when designing, the importance of queer representation — we even got the rundown on the hectic Melbourne to Sydney drive that preceded the show.
Read on and see the colourful action from the show above!
How would you describe your label in a sentence?
Inclusive, raw, sexy and joyful.
Did you have a particular person/place in mind when designing this collection?
The Queer community and the Chamarel.
I wanted to make sure that every single person felt empowered, sexy and comfortable wearing the pieces. This collection is a true representation of the queer community, celebrating the community and instilling joy! For this collection I collaborated with Melbourne Ceramist James Lemon, to draw references from the Mauritian landscape of the Chamarel, to expand on the queer and diverse representation that I want my work to embody.
Most exciting and most overwhelming thing about fashion week?
The most exciting thing was the show rehearsal. When we did a walk through on show day, I was blown away with what was about to happen. Seeing everyone on the day, I was so excited to see how everybody (including all of the behind the scenes team and talent) were there and the energy of everyone in the room together. There was so much love.
The most overwhelming part was the drive up from Melbourne to Sydney (far too many things to carry). Two hours into the drive, the passenger window shattered and we had to sticky tape some garment bags to make shift some kind of protection and keep driving to make it in on time for walk-throughs on Saturday morning. The show must go on!!!
If your fashion week collection was...
A colour: All of them (I cannot discriminate against colour)
A mood: Unpredictable
A place: Chamarel (7 coloured earth in Mauritius)
A famous person: Riri
Is there anyone who has contributed to the show and collection you could love to thank???
I want to thank all of the amazing people who actually believe in me and help push my creativity and practice to the next level. I would not be able to have accomplished half the things I have today. I'm incredibly grateful to have had the support from our sponsors on the day - Crocs, Steve Madden, Redken, INNISFREE, Benefit Australia, All Shades Matter, UTOWA, So Pretty Nails, Wigged Out and Bioderma!
Interview: Chloe Hill Photos: Hameed Akinwande
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which this shoot took place.
