SARAH MURPHY
CREATIVE BIO
Sarah Murphy is an emerging designer based in Sydney and a graduate from the Whitehouse institute of design. With personal influences from her love of all things equestrian and horses, Murphy strives to create contemporary fashion through the use of unconventional objects. Bringing in items that are not necessarily related to fashion helps the designer to make a bold statement, drawing in the attention of the audience. The inspiration of horses comes from a long-term appreciation of the animal including its external beauty and internal strength, with is communicated throughout her design. With skills in pattern making, print design, and garment fittings, the designer is able to blend classic techniques with innovative trends. Throughout her graduate collection, Cavalier, Murphy has used multiple print designs through the looks, showcasing her strengths within the Adobe creative suite, specialising in both Photoshop and Illustrator. By reimagining the historical aspects of equestrianism and its associated fashion, the designer has crafted a contemporary interpretation of the 'horse-girl' aesthetic.
DESIGN STATEMENT
The graduate collection, Cavalier, centres on the equestrian lifestyle by drawing from the elegance of the horse its mane, musculature, and equipment. These elements have been skillfully integrated into the designs, creating a fusion of diverse textures and statement-making pieces. The key fabrications within this collection include vintage designer alpaca wool that resembles the look of horsehair, which is accompanied using horse bits that bring unconventional materials into the design. The looks also feature genuine alpaca wool and vegan leather as an homage to the classic western designs typically found on cowboys. The design process has created a balance between the external beauty and internal strength of the horse, encapsulating the animal's dual nature as both a powerful force and a graceful creature. This duality is reflected in the collections design ethos, where strength meets elegance, and tradition meets innovation.
