Australians have a tendency to take ownership of great things that originally come from New Zealand, and Auckland-based designer Wynn Crawshaw and his label Wynn Hamlyn might just find himself joining the stable of Adopted Things We Love And Are Now Ours.

Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn.

Held in one of Sydney’s abandoned tunnels near Central Station, there was a sense that guests were about to walk into an illegal rave circa 1997. Green lighting, puddled concrete and exposed wiring and suddenly we were whisked back to the decade of Hackers and Human Traffic. This gritty backdrop was the perfect juxtaposition for Crawshaw’s Resort 2023 collection that sought to take the viewer on an escapade – depending on your predilection, this could just as easily have been the streets of Monaco or the backrooms of Berghain.

Crawshaw has made it a signature to blend the handmade and traditional craft with technical finesse and this latest collection has continued that dedication. Hand-turned glass beading from India, custom made for Wynn Hamlyn, was was used to recreate the brand’s beloved Macramé look – a standout being the beaded top paired with an emerald green suit. Also making a return was the accordion knit in a new selection of bold colours. Patchwork knitwear also added this full-spectrum experience of wearability – to a rave or to Ravenna, Italy? – giving a contrasting play on texture and mobility.

Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn

Cargo denim with zip-off bottoms made from 100 percent recycled cotton and bomber jackets accentuated the industrial element of the collection, mirrored in the menswear pieces with the addition of an ombre knit and denim shorts. Combined with more tailored pieces, these details elevated Crawshaw’s messaging of hand-crafted into a UX style approach to dressing – hands make them but it’s also the hands that style and adjust and craft the finishing look.

Adding a touch of softness was an exclusive floral print utilised in across both women’s and men’s pieces including a seersucker dress and matching shorts and shirt. Co-created with New Zealand artist Marcus Watson, the floral print was maybe an unintentional reference: that of Persephone, the Greek goddess of the Underworld who would spend six months of the year in Hades before returning out from the Underground and back into the summer sun. A fitting metaphor for both collection and location.

Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn
Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn
Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn
Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn.
Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn.
Wynn Hamlyn
Image: Wynn Hamlyn