ARCHfashion chats with Marijana and Tanya- the design duo for Unspoken

ARCHfashion: Both of you have very extensive backgrounds in the fashion industry, how did it all start for you and how did it get you to where you are today?
M+T: We both graduated from the Fashion Design Studio at East Sydney Tafe, the standard was high and we each launched our careers from here. Going our separate ways for many years, we built our skills and experiences both nationally and internationally with leading fashion houses.
Our strong friendship and commitment to following our similar vision has gotten us to where we are today.

ARCHfashion: Where did you get the inspiration for your latest collection?
M+T: We spent a day pouring over some beautiful books at the Powerhouse museum reference library and came across artist Arnold Bocklin. His work was inspired by Romanticism and his pictures often portrayed mythological, fantastical figures along classical architecture constructions creating a strange, fantasy world.
This began to tell the story for ‘White Song’, Resort 2013

ARCHfashion: How did you two meet? Do your ideas ever clash when working so closely together?
M+T We met in our final year of college and helped each other through many sleepless nights and crazy deadlines.
Of course there are times when we clash, luckily those moments are few. We have different ideas and they don’t always coincide with one another. Our focus is to have the ‘Unspoken’ girl in mind, so it always comes back to her.

ARCHfashion: If you could describe each other in 3 words what would they be?
Marijana – Energetic, fun, loyal
Tanya – creative, honest, free spirited

ARCHfashion: Do you have a specific girl in mind when you design your collections?
M+T: The Unspoken girl is feminine, fresh and contemporary.
Think Rose Byrne, Rachel Taylor, Isabel Lucas or other young Aussie starlets that are moving to Hollywood

ARCHfashion: What are some favourite fabrics that you like to work with?
M+T: We love natural fibres! In particular, silk. The look and feel always works with our designs.

ARCHfashion: In your opinion, what is the ultimate fashion faux pas?
M+T: Excessive Fake Tan!

ARCHfashion: Describe your own personal style.
M+T: Easy, original & sophisticated with a modern edge… We both are always wearing Unspoken, whether it be our jersey draped pieces on the weekend, sharp tailoring during the week and our silk dressier pieces for evening. The beauty of Unspoken is it can transform from day into night pieces.

ARCHfashion. If you could pick 3 must have pieces from your latest collection which ones would you choose and why?
M+T: Luxe skirt, gold metallic – a bit of metallic fun is a must in any wardrobe this season!
Raffia knot dress, sahara – the perfect summer colour! Can be worn with sandals during the day or dressed up for night
Gatsby one shoulder dress, citrus – To be the girl at the wedding who everyone says is the best dressed!!!!!

ARCHfashion: What else do you get up to in any spare time that you manage to have? Is there anything other than designing amazing clothes that you like to immerse yourself in?
Marijana: Love collecting textiles from around the globe, I have always had a love for fabrics, textures and colour.
Travelling to unique countries with rich cultures
Tanya: I enjoy travelling, planning a trip to L.A. & Mexico in November with my partner Trent. He intends to surf while I lay on the beach (cocktail in hand)!
Life drawing – I love the freedom of drawing with charcoal and studying the naked form

ARCHfashion: What’s next for the Unspoken brand?
M+T: We are creating a capsule collection for bridesmaids. Keeping our signature dresses and presenting them in longer, flowing lengths and beautiful bright colours, as well as soft pastels with a touch of our original prints. The collection will be available on- line and we will offer a personalized service for fittings.