CONFINE.

JANA PAVASOVIC

WHITEHOUSE INSTITUTE OF DESIGN

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

WOMENSWEAR.

COLLECTION INSPIRATION.

Based on research of the visual arts and mental illness in Europe around 1900. Specifically looking at theories involving hysteria and women, as women were seen to be slaves to their emotions and sexual desires.

Also considered the work of neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot who believed that mental illness manifested itself physically in the body and documented his patients through photography. The resulting photographs comprised a collection of sometimes staged photographs of confined women sometimes similar to a police database of criminal photos.

The confinement and constriction, physical or otherwise, and how it continued throughout history proved to be very inspiring in this collection. From physical confinement of the early 1900’s to restrictive clothing of the 1950’s to current confinement of the cult of youth and vanity, women have always been slaves to and defined by their environment in one way or another.

FAVORITE COLLECTION PIECE.

Coat with textured sleeves.

BEST DETAIL WITHIN THE COLLECTION.

Textures created with ‘shaggy’ fabrics.

FABRICS USED.

Leather, wool, jersey, organza, Peruvian wool yarn.

INSPIRATIONAL DESIGNERS.

Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Ann Demuelemeester, Alber Elbaz, Nicholas Ghesquiere.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS.

Started studying fashion in 1999 with the VET course at Whitehouse and continued studies there. Upon graduation, Jana won a scholarship to study her masters in Italy, which was completed in 2006.  After then returning to Australia for 18 months to work for iconic surf brand Mambo, Jana  moved to London in 2008. She got a job as the Product Manager for Issa. She then returned to Australia in 2010 to complete her degree at Whitehouse and currently works as a freelance designer for a start up Australian label. Jana is heading back to London to undertake her masters in Design Management. Her favourite industry experience was working on the Issa shows at London Fashion Week.