A friend visited from Singapore last year and we caught up while she was in town. The conversation was naturally about all things creative. Ondina is an interior designer and we studied together for a short while before she moved overseas. She was working on launching a new fashion label and I was inspired by her enthusiasm and ideas.
MAH, which stands for Mad About Hue, was just recently launched by Ondina. The collection of scarves are designed through collaborations with artists and for her first collection she collaborated with Sydney-based Dr. Jim Frazier who is an award winning wildlife cinematographer and creator of crystal paintings.
She shared with me various images of his creations. Abstract and surreal landscapes in various colours and patterns. My mind instantly tried to connect the images with nature - trees, leaves, mountains, caves - I could see it all in the abstract crystal paintings.
The crystals are manipulated in various solutions using heat and tiny brushes and implements to alter the natural growth rate of the crystals and their structure. The landscapes are created by painting over the crystal structures that begin to form which has the effect of stopping the growth while the movement of the brush stroke creates further small crystals and shapes off the edge of the brush stroke. Light is important in producing the final artwork. Depending on the angle that the light strikes the crystals it can change their colour and appearance.
The paintings are then digitally produced and manufactured into silk scarves. The first collection which you can see here is called 'Quaintrelle'. A beautiful blend of science, art and fashion. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Massive thanks to Ondina for sharing with us today! Check out the
MAH website to see more from the range and to read more about the story of this collection.
