Fashion’s dark sisters.

By Benjamen Judd

We have been watching the slow and subtle return of the gothic to Sydney fashion with an interest that, if you pardon the pun, verges on the morbid. It may have something to do with the fact that a few of us here in the QT offices were, shall we say, well into our formative years during the last goth revival and may have, in some way, embraced it back then with a little more gusto than we’d care to admit.

So, understandably, when we came across Sydney based brand Serpent and the Swan we did feel a little more than just your average twinge of nostalgia. Designed by sisters Hayley and Lauri Smith, the brand has a vested interest in the darker side of things and is all about the details. Think wolf head brooches, buttons in the shape of hummingbirds, or zippers in the shape of a horses head. Even the titles of their dresses reflect life’s more somber moments – draped, jersey gowns called Widow, or knitted suede and jersey shirts with antique boning called Wept.

The latest Spring Sumer 2012/13 collection, ‘Awoke In a Dream’ has taken one of Australia’s most memorably disturbing (and clearly very fitting) films as its inspiration – Picnic At Hanging Rock. Interestingly, however, is that this latest collection is more structured and fitted than previous ones that focused on looser, more flowing shapes. It’s almost a little more Picnic At Hanging Rock ‘n’ Roll…

For more information, and stockists, visit the Serpent and the Swan website here.