'Charles Le Brun' / Georgia Haynes
Georgia Hayne’s label Charles LeBrun creates space for inclusivity and belonging through a collection of genderless basketball-inspired designs
Identity in the world of fashion is an ever-evolving and developing conversation — one that for some time has been restricted by outdated principles like size, gender, and seasonality.
Georgia Hayne's debut collection challenges these notions, creating a conscious line of cut and sewn pieces under Charles LeBrun. Beginning as a passion project, the label has now established itself as an avid contributor to streetwear in Naarm and abroad.
Georgia shares a thoughtful contribution to the conversation around selfhood in fashion. Their attitude not only manifests itself in Charles LeBrun's gracious personality but in their ability to be fluid and sincere in an open-ended industry. The label embodies G’s attitude around fashion and design; that it should be a space for sharing and community and that it should allow designers and wearers to be sincere in their exploration of selfhood, ever changeable.
“Having a brand isn’t for me but to make people feel a part of a community” - Georgia
The collection takes inspiration from Georgia's childhood, growing up playing basketball in country Victoria and being hooked on the functionality of sportswear. When I caught up with G, she shared her all-too-relatable experience of trying to find the perfect pair of shorts: comfortable, baggy, adjustable, and stylish. This challenge prompting them to start sourcing ideas and materials to create their own designs.
In a blissful balance of mode and comfort, the assembly promotes trans-seasonality - complimentary pieces that move through the year, encouraging sustainability. It is essential that each piece is not only high quality but wearable for any occasion; from the basketball court to the club.
Much of the fashion industry remains steeped in a flawed philosophy, bound by the gender binary which classifies specific fits, colours and entire garments as either masculine or feminine. It’s disheartening and frankly laughable to think that society demands we agree to a set of rules about our identity and self-expression.
The Charles LeBrun collection is thoughtfully designed to defy these notions. Oversized by nature, embracing warm, neutral hues, every piece invites fluidity in gender and self- expression.
After being pressured into mid-rise skinny jeans and ‘a nice top’ for most of my teen years, labels like Charles LeBrun and designers like Georgia, who create silhouettes for every individual regardless of gender and size, are heaven-sent. The collection offers variety, choice, freedom and confidence with how we express ourselves through our clothes.
Charles LeBrun continues to re-imagine and reinvigorate sportswear. New pieces are in the works as well as a documentary film sharing Naarm artists: relationships to style and community.
Stay up to date with Charles LeBrun on Instagram and charles-lebrun.com and Georgia Haynes on Instagram.
Article by @sarahkatepanini
Images by @georgiarhaynes, ft. @c.frim, @it_b_limerence and @fatyogurt
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