In August 2017 I received an email from Oxford Fashion Studio inviting me to participate in Milan Fashion Week, September 2017. Unfortunately I had to decline as I was already in the UK, I didn't have the money to spare and it was just simply too late notice. But I kindly asked if my invitation could be extended and they accepted, they continued by saying I could now choose which Fashion Week I would like to participate in so of course I chose Paris September 2018!

Oxford Fashion Studio, founded by Victoria Beckham, analyse 40,000 designers each year and invite only a select few to participate in one of four of the largest fashion weeks in the world. I'm not quite sure how they stumbled upon this small country girl yet but somehow I was one of the lucky ones landing an invitation that I definitely could not refuse. 

In the lead up to Paris I will be working on my next collection, Highland, which will be released on the runway held at Le Grand Paris (photo below).

There is a huge process when it comes to a next collection, it starts with an idea, moves to a book full of sketches which then gets narrowed down and finalised, transferred to digital format (I use my Microsoft Surface) and then the selection of fabrics and embellishments begin. Highland will be focussing on Black Watch tartan, a tartan worn by the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment "The Black Watch". From here the sketches get transformed into patterns, graphed and sampled until the pattern is perfect enough for production. But it doesn't stop there, from here photography needs to take place both look book and editorial shots along with videography capturing the essence and aesthetic of the collection.

In Paris a lot takes place, on the 29th of September 2018 the runway will be held. The runway involves, for myself, 12 models in hair and makeup, finding a shoe selection that finishes off each look perfectly along with headpieces to compliment. Photography and videography on both the runway and behind the scenes along with studio photography as the models begin the walk out. Along the duration of Fashion Week a showroom is held where stylists, artists, buyers, all come to see, feel and buy pieces from the designers involved with Oxford Fashion Studio. 

But all of this comes at a large cost and this is where you come in. I need your help to make one of my biggest dreams a reality, I've got a lot to prove and I still have so many goals I want the nail in the head. Between now and September 2018 I will be raising $30k AUD through a Go Fund Me campaign (linked below) and fundraising events I will be holding all over South Australia. I will be attending the Labels Style Markets on December 2nd 2017 at Rundle Place with samples and discounted products. If you'd like to help you can simply donate below through my Go Fund Me account, share my Go Fund Me account on social media, or you can use the code DTCPARIS online to get 10% off your order. 

https://www.gofundme.com/dark-thorn-to-paris-fashion-week

If you live in South Australia and are interested in coming along to one of the fundraising events please subscribe to Dark Thorn Clothing's emails (found at the bottom of the webpage) or follow us on any social media platform (all linked below) so you can keep up to date when an event is coming near you.

Facebook
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Breakdown: 

Runway cost - $6,834.74AUD
Pool Models - $4,008.34AUD
Runway Photography - $1,353.18AUD
Runway Videography - $1,353.18AUD
Studio Photography - $1,747.20AUD
Backstage Photography - $334.03AUD

Total : $15,630.67AUD

If the $15,000AUD goal gets broken and we reach $30,000AUD the extra money will go into showroom costs. Every $1,000AUD over $15.6kAUD will help put one garment into the showroom.

Showroom - $1,019.22AUD per garment x 17 garments - $17,326.74AUD

Total: $32,957.41AUD

Tori-Anne
xx

Related Tag, Modern Victorian Inspired Dresses