EbonyNortheast_Portfolio

Ebony Northeast is a Melbourne-based fashion designer whose work is defined by the beauty of fabric textiles, architectural silhouettes and nature’s elements. Her garments explore the tension between structure and softness, texture and patterns. Growing up in a small town in the Northern Rivers region of Australia, fashion became a vessel for personal exploration and expression. Ebony sees fashion as a form of communication, a way

to show who you are and how you can envision different concepts. Her rural upbringing has helped her develop an appreciation for nature and the beauty of sustainable processes as she priorities slow fashion. Throughout her graduate year, the collection’s foundation is defined by the innovative use of merino wool and her unique textile manipulation methods; this authentic approach was recognised and awarded with an Australian Wool Educational Trust Grant.

Concept

Veil of Time is a womenswear collection that explores the tension between permanence and erosion, using weathered statues as a metaphor for the beauty found in ageing. Inspired by classical sculptures slowly transformed by time and the elements, the collection embraces imperfection, wear, and gradual transformation, acknowledging how forms can change drastically while still retaining their elegance. The muted palette draws from sand dune landscapes, with soft beige and orange tones evoking serenity and timelessness. Fabrics are selected and manipulated to reflect textured surfaces touched by age, creating garments that feel sculptural and lived-in.

Draping and fabric manipulation sit at the core of the design approach, echoing the flowing marble robes seen on ancient statues. Wool felting is used to sculpt organic, softened forms that mimic natural erosion, while crochet introduces delicate layers of hand-crafted texture. Together, these techniques create surfaces that feel both fragile and enduring. The collection draws inspiration from designers who explore the experimentation of materials and form: Issey Miyake’s textile innovation, Uma Wang’s layered and tactile aesthetic, and Robert Wun’s sculptural approach to womenswear. Veil of Time merges fluidity with structure, creating garments that exist between art and fashion.