Sacha Austin

From the Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion gallery

Colour: Resene Liquid Gold

Resene Liquid Gold

“Literally, Liquid Gold is a preparation used to decorate objects and add a touch of class; figuratively, it is any liquid that is considered valuable; and personally it evokes images of power, class, luxury and ultimately sex.

Sacha Austin and model

This therefore, led me down a path of 90s runway inspiration. The 90s themselves were a time of pre economic crash prosperity and continued acceptance, and benefit from, the sexual liberation in decades prior. This idea was replicated in the runway scene, with many of the models adorning luxury pieces that reflected this, for example in Christian Dior’s spring 1997 ready to wear collections.

By mixing the runway style of the 90s with my Resene Liquid Gold colour I am able to achieve not only a vision of beauty and class, but I am also able to evoke images of sexual allure and lust by presenting the models as valuable pieces through the colour’s symbolism and my designs cleavage gap, similarly showcased again in Dior’s 1997 RTW collection to create a similar mood.

Additionally, through the colour and my translation into garment design, alongside the 90s runway inspiration, I am able to present the consistent theme seen throughout 90s society of female objectification (seen through the unrealistic body standards and fashion popular at the time) as well as in the very essence of literal Liquid Gold (as a product made purely to highlight and appreciate objects).”

Sacha Austin and model

Sacha Austin design