Risqué Business

What’s in a reference? It’s not the be all and end all but when you start with John Hughes films, Saved by the Bell and Working Girl, you know you’re on to to a good thing already.  Emma Mulholland has a knack for vibing on things that you instantly get excited about.  And by “you”, I mean a generation of people between the ages of 14 (retrogazing the 80s and 90s starts young these days) and 40 (the ones that remember these films from the first time round).  Perfect then for a Mulholland’s particular brand of elevated casuals.  Strands of surf/skate streetwear run as a constant through Mulholland’s work.  These are no-brainer clothes to be worn without the need to overthink or over-complicate.  It’s the sort of witty light touch you want from sun-drenched Sydney.

There’s a reason why embellished pieces that characterised Mulholland’s earlier work has been reduced to a few sequinned dresses and instead her 80s inflected spray painted pastel prints take centre stage.  A t-shirt proclaiming boredom is sure to tickle any 9 to 5 workers out there. and help Mulholland cement her niche in fun n’ frolic fashion.  It’s no wonder fresh newcomer designers such as Hayley Elsaesser and Ciara Nolan, who showed as part of the Innovators show, are also following that path.  There’s a sleepover print dotted with sleep masks, cucumbers and Cyndi Lauper and Grace Jones staring back at your with their heavily made-up eyes.  The office stationary cupboard is raided as paper clips get turned into a luminous blue print and post-its are scribbled and doodled all over.  White shirts a la Joel Goodson Risky Business also come scrawled with #Bored childish etchings.  The palette has taken on those pastel Miami-inspired hues that graced many a t-shirt and sweatshirt that are hidden in the 80s corner of my mum’s closets.  Turn up Tears for Fears real loud, chill out and just carpe diem guys!

P.S. Oooh looky, product!  The sunnies, which Emma did with Pared Eyewear are available for pre-order tout suite.  Styles called Risqué Business and The Brat Pack are perfect for wearing very far down on the nose in manner of bad-boy John Bender.