FASHION PORTFOLIO
BRUT BOTANIC
MADISON BAKER VAN URK
B RUT BOTANIC
is a Fall/Winter womenswear capsule collection that harmonises the aesthetics of brutalist architecture and organic nature, visioning to pair structural form with organic ornamentation.
A-line silhouettes and form-fit shapes are characteristic to the capsule’s architectural inspiration, although are contrasted by monochrome greens, earthly tones and organic lines which work harmoniously to compliment each piece of the collection.
Circular line is prominent within this collection, with consideration for how the circle engages with repetition, negative space and the body to create a compelling design. The relationship between opacity and negative space is one explored in the Monstera dress, Algae look and sarracenia ensemble, with mesh cut-out detailing and woollen rings as signatures to each look. The sheer, vertically layered organza texture on the Lichen look flows in motion and catches the light with each layered petal, mesmerising as layers of sheer build to opaque.
As a recipient of the Australian Wool Mark grant, Madison’s collection is predominantly wool based. Wool suiting, merino jersey and cashmere-finish fabrics place Brut Botanic as a capsule collection optimal for climates where the chilled seasons require extra pieces to layer and mix. Sheer elements are fabricated in power mesh, organza and lace mesh to contrast with the wool but work together to produce harmonious garments that are grounded in design.
MONSTERA
MONSTERA
Maxi dress
The Monstera dress features a straight, sleeveless, body-con silhouette with circular mesh detailings and an asymetrical neckline with a mesh turtleneck. Khaki in colour, rings of the dress are contrasted with green accents. Fabricated from merino wool and lace, the Monstera dress is constructed by sewing rings of varying size and shape to wrap around the form of the body. These rings contour the curvature of the body and resemble that of a monstera leaf, leaning into the capsule’s botanical inspiration. This dress is a one-of-a-kind and the optimal eventwear statement piece.
ZQ Premium Merino Colourway: Bottle
100% Merino, 200 GSM, 18.9 Micron, Grown in NZ
ZQ Premium Merino Colourway: Olive
100% Merino, 200 GSM, 18.9 Micron, Grown in NZ
Lace Mesh
Colourway: Tan (custom dyed)
100% Nylon, 49 GSM.
The ALGAE LOOK
ALGAE
Maxi dress
TRUMPET
Sculptural jacket
The Algee look is a two-part ensemble featuring the ALGAE illusion dress and the TRUMPET jacket. The Algae maxi dress features the same A-line silhouette as the Monstera, with similar circle motif repeated through merino applique onto a power-mesh base. The Illusion dress is paired with the sculptural Trumpet jacket constructed in wool cashmere coating, featuring a large flounce, boned neckline in a trumpet shape and a circular opening at centre front.
Mimicking the Monstera dress, Algee is a more commercial spin of the design, designed for confident souls and can be worn with either statement undergarments for a stand-out look, or paired with a bodysuit or maxi dress underneath for a less revealing yet equally captivating style.
ZQ Premium Merino Colourway: Bottle 100% Merino, 200 GSM, 18.9 Micron, Grown in NZ
Pieris Forest Coating w/ Cashmere Finish 100% wool, 330 GSM. Power Mesh Colourway: Forest 100% Nylon, 160 GSM.
SCALLOP
Layered Hem Vest
FERN
Layered collar Vest
SARRACENIA
Aplique Pencil Skirt
EMERALD
Pencil Skirt
LIANAS
Utility rope necklace
The Sarracenia ensemble features the tailored SCALLOP and FERN vests worn with A-line skirts, SARRACENIA and EMERALD. This look is styled with the LIANAS necklace.
The Scallop vest is fabricated from 100% merino wool suiting and is characterised by the double hem detailing and scalloped vent on centre back, as well as bias cut shawl collar. The Fern vest is fabricated from the same merino wool suiting as its counterpart and is predominantly characterised by the single scalloped vent on centre back, double shawl collar and two double welt pockets with flaps.
The Sarracenia skirt is fabricated from a power-mesh base accented by merino wool applique and is worn with the Emerald skirt, a 100% wool skirt with A-line silhouette.
Pair each vest with the CENOTE pant for a more corporate look, or pair the vests underneath the TROPICS jacket for extra layers to your look.
Merino Wool Suiting
Colourway: Hunter Green 100% wool, 146 GSM
ZQ Premium Merino
Colourway: Bottle 100% Merino, 200 GSM, 18.9 Micron, Grown in NZ
Power Mesh
Colourway: Forest 100% Nylon, 160 GSM.
Stretch Wool
Colourway: Emerald 100% wool
THE LICHEN LOOK
Asymetrical mini dress
Utility rope necklace
The LICHEN look features an A-line mini dress with vertically layered organza detailing. Organza shapes were cut on bias and sewn layer by layer to each sleeve and hem of the garment. As a result, a mesmerising texture shifts between gold and green as it moves in motion with the body, reminiscent of textures similar to mushroom veins or feathers of an exotic bird. The asymmetrical hem of the dress supports the illusion of movement and a 3D shape wrapped around the body.
LICHEN
LIANAS
Merino Wool Suiting Colourway: Hunter Green
100% wool, 146 GSM
Mirror Organza Colourway: Liquid Gold
100% Polyester, 75 GSM
UNDER THE TROPICS
TROPIC
Tactical Overcoat
EMERALD
Sleveeless turtleneck
CENOTE
Peep-toe pant
AMAZONAS
Silk print scarf
‘Under the Tropics’ features the TROPICS tactical overcoat, EMERALD sleeveless turtleneck, CENOTE peep-toe pants and AMAZONAS neck scarf.
The Tropics tactical overcoat is fabricated from cotton drill and cotton canvas, featuring an adjustable silhouette with drawstring details on the hem, sleeves, hood and pockets. Quilted sleeves over a trompe-l’oeil print provide extra warmth and comfort for the winter chill. Brass detailing accents with snap fasteners and oversized eyelets appeal to the tactical elements of the jacket.
The Emerald top is fabricated from 100% wool and is paired with the Cenote peep toe pant, a pant made from 100% wool suiting with a flared silhouette. The hem of the pants are stabilised with horsehair braid in order to maintain volume and shape in the hem.
The Amazonas neck scarf features a custom print design on a 100% silk, 64cm square scarf. The development of the pattern involved digitalising traditional pen lineup drawings and using photoshop to collage and colour grade each image into a cohesive composition.
Panama Canvas
Custom Quilt print 100% Cotton, 309 GSM
Outerwear Drill Colourway: Khaki 100% Cotton
Stretch Wool Colourway: Emerald 100% wool
Stretch Wool Colourway: Emerald 100% wool
MEET ME:
Sydney-based fashion designer, Madison Baker van Urk captures shape and sophistication in the specialty of womenswear. Industry work experiences, a certificate IV of design fundamentals and bachelors degree in fashion design have Baker’s skills expand pattern making, tailoring, draping, styling, design conceptualisation and critical thinking.
Special interests in digital tools such as the adobe suite have strengthened skills regarding digital pattern making, digital illustration, technical illustrations, photo editing and video editing. Special interests concerning 3D rendering, 2D rendering, laser cutting and 3D printing have also found use in past design development as ways to develop compelling textures or solve complex patternmaking.
Baker’s design inspiration arises from shape and how their qualities can be reimagined and subverted into compelling design. A personal appreciation for the architectural style of brutalism and the sprawling landscape of tropical jungles have brought Baker to a unique design vision that balances the spontaneity of natural form with the calculated hand of human intervention. Inevitably, her vision is one that harmonises the dissonance between structural form and organic ornamentation.
