William Pan

“Resene Tarzan, the first and most obvious inspiration came from the movie ‘Tarzan’ which many people should remember seeing kids swinging, yelling, jumping all over the place, whether it is in the playground, local trees or even at home. This helped inspire me to merge man made and nature to become one. Or is it just one taking over the over?

Growing up, green always had a presence in my life whether outdoors or indoors, but at home especially. My mum would love to fill rooms up with different plants such as bamboos and money trees, just anything that can grow and be put in a pot. Every step you take in our home you will always see at least some green or even something close to Resene Tarzan and she firmly believed it gave good luck and strong calm enemies.

The theme, the idea of ‘wake up’… is change, growth, atavism, realisation. Open your eyes look around your surroundings, appreciate it, immerse yourself. With the world changing, evolving everyday whether good or bad, it’s difficult to remember what it was once like before man. So what’s the next steps?

For the puffer vest I took inspiration from home, the areas growing up and how they have always felt cosy to me. Even with all the different cultures around me I still seem to fit in. I wanted the puffer vest to feel like a warm welcoming hug.

With the wrap skirt, my mum has always worn a wrapped skit (sampot) even if its just at home or at a traditional Cambodian event. It’s a reminder of her home, culture and roots, which I’ve tried to imitate through the use of the vines/ties throughout the garments to remind us where we came from wherever you are in the world.”

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2022

Photography by Jonathan Kraettli

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