Kyra Moon- Halfpenny Collection

Interview - BY Londiwe Mbhele, Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012

What inspires you?

Zulu people, mother nature, New York City, Harajuku Girls

How did you find the AFI Fastrack experience?

The AFI experience was, motivating. It was great to see the different reactions I got from my   collection. This will help me going forward when designing a future collection. Meeting the people I did also reminded me why I have chosen fashion as my career, I walked away very inspired.

What have you learnt from this experience?

It teaches you to be very organised and very professional. When putting garments together (sowing them) being neat and paying attention to detail is very important as well as treating your garments like prized possessions. Lastly believing in yourself and going with the creative magic that flows through you when designing a collection.

And where do you see yourself in 5 years?

The future. One step at a time, I have goals and aspirations, that only me my dear friends and mentors know about.

(L. Mbhele; March 2012)

Kyra Moon’s Collection - featured at SAFW in Johannesburg.

Autumn/Winter 2012

Figure 5.1 : Organic prints

Figure 5.2 : Harajuku

Figure 5.3 : Crochet

Figure 5.4 : Playfulness

 

Figure 5.5 : Disney (Hello Kitty)

(WGSN- Kyra Moon A/W; 2012)

Characteristics of Kyra Moon’ collection- Organic prints(References modern and simplicity), Crochet(References Kyra’s historical background and personal interests), Hello Kitty(References Disney and playfulness), New York City(References travel) and Blanket(References culture).

Kyra Moon draws inspiration through photographic references                                                                   

 (URL- www.afisa.co.za; February 2012 ).

Kyra’s Inspiration

·        Mother Nature –

(Also referred to Mother Earth)

Mother Nature ; “is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother”

(FOLLOW LINK- Wikimedia Foundation, Inc; March 2012 )

·       Harajuku Girls –

(First hired to perform in 2004)

The Harajuku Girls are four young Japanese American back up dancers. They appeared  in stage shows and  music videos of  Gwen Stefani

The names of  The Harajuku Girls are Maya Chino ("Love"), Jennifer Kita ("Angel"),  Rino Nakasone-Razalan ("Music") and Mayuko Kitayama ("Baby").

The Harajuku style is combination of Gothic subculture style and a playful  Disney theme.

Figure 5.6 : J. Campbell; 2004

Figure 5.7 : Unknown photographer; 2010

Figure 5.8 : Unknown photographer; 2010

·       New York City

Figure 5.9 : S. Edelbroich; 2010)

·       Zulu & Basotho

Kyra references the blankets that the Basotho culture are known for and the vibrant colours that the Zulu culture are known for.

Figure 5.10 : Basotho (J. Hrusa; February 2011)

Figure 5.11 : Basotho )Unknown photographer; 2011)

Figure 5.12 : Zulu (D. Cuthbert; 2007)

Megan Schoeman