THE DAILY HERO: DAY FOUR :: Jenny Kee :: Thursday 3rd May 11am

Thursday 3rd May 2012 at 11am
JENNY KEE
The Box, OPT, Circular Quay

"I don't want to be restricted by fashion whims - it's too temporary. I think my work is about lasting." Jenny Kee

The scent of delicate lemon myrtle and eucalyptus wafted through the air, whilst the sounds of the Australian bush melded with Buddhist mantras gently set a scope for the Jenny Kee's first major solo presentation 'The Art of the Scarf' since her infamous 'Flamingo Follies' show alongside Linda Jackson in 1981.

Showcasing ten archival Jenny Kee looks spanning from 1980-2012, the 'Art of the Scarf' presentation features seminal works with a focus on print, from iconic re-issues of old works including the Black Opal print used in Karl Lagerfeld's first collection for Chanel in his1983 show to new works previously unseen. All scarves are available to buy from the Art of the Scarf ready to wear collection, a non seasonal collection that may be considered more like art as new pieces are created and re-issues added over time; all proudly 100% Australian made with the highest quality silks and utilising digital print technology courtesy of Think Positive Prints the scarves are the ultimate colour translation of Jenny Kee's print works.

The silk scarf is Kee’s way of allowing art to be worn on the body, favoured for the material’s fluidity, movement and grace. Influenced by Australian Indigenous art, tribal cultures and symbols, for Kee, each print shares a personal narrative. Interlinking these symbols and images across various mediums – oil crayons, acrylic, watercolours and Asian inks – one scarf can be constructed of over twenty originals artworks all from the hand of Jenny Kee

For the past 40 years, Jenny Kee has remained a remarkable beacon within the Australian fashion industry. With a passionately joyous and distinctly Australian approach to her craft, Kee has always worked within the fashion world from an artistic mindset. Drawing on her love of Australian fauna and flora, particularly the Waratah, which she deems her totem, Kee’s art is a mix of vivaciously hand-painted chaotic collages – flowers, animals, exotic birds, opals and tropical fish. Kee was the first designer to place iconic Australiana references into prints for fashion and it feels beautifully relevant in 2012 just as it did in 1980.

'Small and beautiful' is what I'm all about now says Kee, 'I've been around for a while in fashion and this is what feels perfect for this moment in time. I'm excited to be sharing it.' Styled with Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales from Romance Was Born, 'Art of The Scarf' marks Jenny Kee's debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

www.jennykee.com.au

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Show Credits:

Casting and Production - Sunny Grace - Sun Productions

Styling - Anna Plunkett, Luke Sales and Jenny Kee

Concept and Direction - Jenny Kee and Rae Begley

Hair Director - Richard Kavanagh for Redken

Make Up Director - Natasha Severino for M.A.C

Nails - CND

Shoes - Melissa

Jewellery - Harlequin Markets

Flowers and Installation - Grandiflora