Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman shot the lookbook for their new collection inside Frank Gehry’s recently opened “paper bag” building in Sydney, a new wing of the city’s University of Technology. The building’s swirling metallic interior wasn’t the inspiration for the siblings’ new clothes, but it may as well have been: This outing was all about curvilinearity, refraction, and controlled swoops of volume.
The volume story came through with greatest force in this collection’s trumpet-shaped sleeves and skirt hems. High-necked tunics and densely knit off-the-shoulder tops with bell-like silhouettes echoed the theme, and numbered among this outing’s standout pieces. This was a notably restrained and sophisticated effort for Camilla and Marc—the froth was curtailed to diaphanous silk and velvet burnout dresses that were understated enough to sit nicely with the collection’s classically glam draped silk satin looks for evening. The flourishes likewise erred toward a high tone—some decorous eyelash fringe, a touch of metallic. The sprightliest looks here were the ones that featured holographic polka dots woven into lightweight black jacquard.
The other graphic pop here came from Camilla and Marc’s abstract print, which picked up on the waves built into the collection’s drapes and flares. The print was attractive and eye-catching, but what stuck with you about this collection were the subtler effects, in particular the ways that Freeman and Freeman-Topper incorporated a sense of openness and fluidity into their generally attenuated silhouettes. The line was long and lean but not constricted. Lots of women will appreciate that.
