Australian fashion label Aje have celebrated their 10th anniversary with an unprecedented collaboration with the Whiteley estate and the Brett Whiteley Studio. For the first time, Wendy Whiteley, custodian of Brett Whiteley's artistic legacy, has granted permission for his artworks to be used by a fashion house. For Aje's 2018-19 Resort collection, entitled WOMAN, designers Adrian Norris and Edwina Forrest interpreted Whiteley's paintings to transform them into a wearable form, extending Whiteley's creative vision beyond the canvas and onto silk, leather, and other luxurious fabrics. The images used are Bather and Mirror (1964), The Blossom Tree (1970), The Divided Unity (1974), Woman in Bath (1963-64), and The Starry Night (1982); these wearable artworks will now bring Whiteley's work to new audiences. The collection was launched on May 2 at a glamorous reception in Wendy Whiteley's "secret garden" and will be available in late 2018.
Aje designer Edwina Forrest with Sue Clothier, producer of WHITELEY
Sue Clothier (producer of WHITELEY), Jo Collard (Whiteley family friend and archivist), and Alec George (Coordinator of the Brett Whiteley Studio)
Wendy Whiteley wearing a custom-made 'Starry Night' cloak, with Felix Forrest (husband of Aje designer Edwina Forrest) in a matching scarf
Wendy Whiteley with her longtime friend, renowned gallerist Anna Schwartz
Ruben Gardiol has cared for Wendy's garden for many years
The event was held in the popular public garden created by Wendy outside her home at Lavender Bay