From studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion) with Flinders University and TAFE SA to jetting off to Vietnam exploring the world of textiles, Iris Mcerlean is no stranger to adventure and creativity.
Iris has embraced the mantra that fashion is the art we wear daily through their collection “Ramasse Moi.” The collection is an exciting blend of masculinity and sustainability reimagined through a queer lens.
We recently sat down with Iris, to chat about their experience at Flinders in the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion) ahead of the HomeStart Fashion and Costume Graduate Parade – Bloom in March.
What did you study at Flinders and TAFE SA?
I Studied a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion), specialising in Fashion Design and Merchandising
What was the highlight of your experience with Flinders/TAFE SA?
A major highlight for me was our 3rd year trip to Vietnam for fashion and textiles exploration, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I highly recommend students take any opportunity they can to travel with their degree.
I think being at both campuses lends to a diverse working environment. The practical skills undergone at TAFE mixed with the theory practice at flinders offered a unique study experience.
What inspired you to want to get into the fashion/costume industry?
I’ve always been a very creative person and always had an interest in clothing/costumes and how we use them to tell a story. A favourite blogger of mine growing up once said “fashion and dressing is the only form of art we are obligated to partake in every single day” and I love the idea of being involved in an art practice that is for everyone.
Can you tell us a bit about your collection being shown in the parade?
Directly translated in French “Ramasse Moi” means pick me up, grammatically it refers to someone literally being lifted off the ground. However, in queer French dialect the term is often used flirtatiously, as in pick me up, take me on a date, shoot your shot. This collection embodies this flirty nature and speaks to masculinity through a queer lens. By taking stereotypically masculine aesthetics like workwear, the colour blue and tattoos and applying them to feminine silhouettes and styles, the collection aims to change our perception of what masculinity and femineity mean. Fancyboi is a brand that takes inspiration from my upbringing and speaks to Australian working-class culture and what being queer was like in this environment. Using traditional workwear/practical materials and incorporating deadstock fabrics/recycled notions the collection blends sustainability and inspiration into streetstyle clothing for the daring individual.
What are you up to now/what are your plans after uni?
I’m currently working on a few different film projects as a costume designer! They’re all very different stories and aesthetics which is very exciting as someone who hates monotony. I hope to continue working in film here in Australia or abroad. I might come back to fashion at some point but honestly the two go hand in, so why not do both.
What do you think the benefits of the new Flinders City Campus will be for Fashion/Costume students?
Honestly being able to stay in one campus allows students to feel situated and comfortable. As Fashion and Costume students we have so many resources in the city that we are constantly venturing to, so keeping it all based in that location makes a lot of sense. Also Via Vai is the best coffee shop in the city and coffee in this degree is very important.
Didn’t get the opportunity to see the incredible work put on by South Australia’s aspiring fashion and costume designers at Flinders’ new city campus at Festival Plaza? Watch the highlights now!
Interested in studying Fashion with Flinders and TAFE SA? Click here to discover where a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion) could take you.