Elliot Ward-Fear is one of the few Australian designers that truly deserves the title of ‘visionary’. His AW11 collection, The Spirit of Clothing, is testament to this, transgressing territory which local labels have not dared to step foot in or, alternately, have executed poorly. After the hype surrounding his last collection, Beauty In Exile, which featured those perspex spike epaulettes, it is tremendously exciting to see the East Sydney TAFE graduate follow through with another offering that is as equally avant-garde.

Based around a pastel pink, mauve, cream and camel palette, the colours are somewhat kitsch but work well in contrast to the directional pieces. While small, the collection makes up for what it lacks in quantity in its sheer genius. Candy ravers will rejoice in the Heart Shaped Heiny playsuit, which we are relieved to learn is intended only for editorial purposes. The scalloping detail found in the 18th Century Blouse, Spirit Pants, Fertility Dress and Oversized Jacket Dress is nothing short of breathtaking.

Elliot Ward-Fear’s fresh approach to fashion carries on from his garments to the whole vision of his label. His AW11 lookbook, for example, has been featured in international press such as Dazed Digital, Another magazine and The Fashion Spot for its art direction. It also features Vogue cover girl Codie Young, who is perhaps Australia’s most promising new export in the modeling industry. We can’t wait to see what Elliot Ward-Fear will do next.