From the Head of School- Robyn says:
On Friday 23rd October I attended the exam of our colleagues Denise Sprynskyj and Peter Boyd, designers of the fashion practice S!X. It was an extraordinary event demonstrating their contribution to fashion design but also sharing with RMIT and the fashion community the intricacies of their practice. S!X (Peter and Denise) have embedded their design practice within their academic roles, informing studio teaching and professional practice in the Bachelor of Fashion (Design)(Honours) degree.
For this event fashion invaded RMIT’s Design Hub, with Project Room 1 transformed into the S!X fashion atelier, providing the examination mise–en–scène. Denise Sprynskyj presented the practice with Surface – l’extérieur dedans/outside in, while Peter Boyd focused on Espace – Intérieur dehors /inside out.
The space was designed to represent the workings of S!X, showing an archive of work stretching back over twenty years, with clothing displayed on racks or suspended from scaffolding, wall hangings, mannequins, odd artefacts, plus requisite fashion chaos created by live models, photographers, stylists and spectators.
Although examined separately, Denise and Peter supported each other during separate oral presentations, revealing garments to illustrate the nature of their practice. The provocative and humorous spirit of S!X was unearthed through discussion about their misuse and celebration of the French language, love of Paris and Melbourne, attraction to old houses/ruins, similarities to ragpickers/or archaeologists and their dedication in researching fashion history through contemporary design practice.
Both designers presented an expanded mode for understanding design and sharing tacit knowledge, which will influence future practitioners. Congratulations Denise and Peter.
Photographs by Monty Coles, scenes from Denise Sprynskyj’s examination.
