“The Curtain of The Moon'' provides inspiration for MANNING CARTELL’s latest collection. This momentous piece by John Coburn adorned the stage of the Sydney Opera House’s Drama Theatre in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Weighing almost sixty kilos and measuring five metres high and seventeen metres wide, it sees Coburn’s signature use of symbolic abstract shapes and bold colours. Its blue background represents the night sky, with lunar-inspired motifs highlighting the phases of the shimmering moon. This imagery is suggested in platinum mirror sequin jersey and pops of lime, mint and russet brown seen throughout the new season collection. Cheryl unpacks the process behind translating art into fashion: “When using art in fashion, it is up to the designers how they envisage the art on the body. There is a lot to consider. To start with, you need to decide if you want to use the full artwork or crop into a section. Scale and repeat is the next thing to play with. There is really a lot of trial and error before finding what works best on the body. A piece of art on a wall can be incredible but it doesn’t always translate into fashion”.

John Coburn was an Australian painter, tapestry designer and abstract printmaker. Known for his tactile works brimming with dynamic shapes and raucous colour, he had a simple philosophy: to express his feelings about nature and the world. “My relationship with John’s daughter Kristin led me to look into his works a little closer,” shares Cheryl. “I had just started a painting course at the SOFA in Mosman run by Kristin. We were exploring abstract artists, working with how colour plays on our emotions. I found that there was a strong connection with John’s work and how he used vivid colour in brilliant combinations to give life and energy to his canvas,” she adds. For MANNING CARTELL, the Artist in Residence program involves a collaboration between the design team and an artist of interest. Studying Coburn’s works was a natural and organic process, which led to bringing his work to life as a living art form. “Working with John’s art, it was integral to keep it recognisable,” Cheryl says. “Colours and shapes had to mimic the original artwork. Kristin gave us pantone colours in order to make sure they were spot on,” she adds.

A collection that can truly be styled from day-to-night, Cheryl reflects on how pieces integrate into new-season wardrobes with ease. “The prints are a standout, the colours are very optimistic and the pieces are purposely designed to be simple silhouettes to show off the art,” she says.

Elevate your 9-to-5 wardrobe with elegant pieces in neutral hues. The Face To Face Blouse and Face To Face Cami can be easily mixed-and-matched with tailored pants, sleek skirts and even denim. Pair the off-white hue with tonal separates or let it bring an understated touch to bolder pieces from the collection.