DUNNE CLIFF

Dunne Cliff, a label produced by Allison Dunne, showed the 2nd night of Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 24. The collection entitled "The Giants of Shallot" is the second collection from A. Dunne. The following are background materials provided by Alison Dunne to Vancouver Fashion Week.

DUNNE CLIFF is an artisanal label that seeks to redefine knitwear. Each piece is one of a kind, hand-crafted by designer A. DUNNE at her studio in Vancouver. Heritage is core to the label, and collections consider topics relating to philosophy, literature, technology, the history of science, and art.

DUNNE CLIFF’S upcoming SP/S24 collection (‘ON THE GIANTS OF SHALOTT’) considers a historic succession of ‘giants’ in science, and our reverence for their enigmatic contributions to Progress. The story of the collection is told through the lens of the cursed dream of The Lady of Shalott (Tennyson, 1832), a figure in a tower down from Camelot, doomed to look upon the world only through a mirror.

ALLISON DUNNE is an emerging designer born on the coast and raised in the interior of British Columbia. Her focus is twofold – concept, and quality – and she focuses her craft on traditional techniques. Her family heritage on the Shetland Islands led her to center her label around Fair Isle knitwear, with DUNNE CLIFF pieces combining traditional elements with idiosyncratic visions. ALLISON released her first collection (‘ON ICARUS AND AI’) at Vancouver Fashion Week in the spring of 2023, and her work has been featured on CTV NEWS, as well as VOGUE ITALY and VOGUE MEXICO and LATIN AMERICA.

Notes courtesy of VFW website.

DUNNE CLIFF

A REVIEW

I first met Allison Dunne after she presented her first collection at VFW. While, I was intrigued by her first collection, it was not until I saw her second collection that I became fascinated. I have always said that a good runway collection should tell a story, and Dunne did just that. So much so, that I reached back to my university English literature text and reread her inspiration for the collection, Lord Alfred Tennyson's epic poem, "The Lady of Shallot". Much of the poem's charm stems from its sense of mystery and elusiveness. Dunne says, "My collection 'ON THE GIANTS OF SHALOTT' considers a historic succession of 'giants' in science, and our reverence for their enigmatic contributions to Progress."

DUNNE CLIFF ON THE RUNWAY

Dunne's collection consisted of eight looks. The sweaters, made from Shetland wool, are heavily patterned in traditional bands with mathematical equations captured in the wool. Rich tones of brown, burgundy, and blue patterns appear with neutral backgrounds of grey and earthy hues. The clothes are quintessentially British, drawing on the designer's Scottish heritage. Herringbone tweed skirts, trousers and shorts are shown with cotton shirting in stripes and checks. The clothes resemble school uniforms. In this collection, modernity and the past happily coexist.

Plastic feet adorning the models' shoulders inject a delightful dose of humor into the collection, cleverly symbolizing how the towering giants of the past rest upon the shoulders of today. This collection is about heritage and tradition while showing a quirky edge. Standout pieces include a cold shoulder sweater vest  with a pair of grey walking shorts, it is fresh and youthful and original. The closing look is a mid-length sweater dress complete with arm warmers, showing the designers skill with knitwear.

Numerous collegiate touches are present as though the wearer roams the hallowed halls of Edinburgh or Oxford Universities. All the small touches are present and correct, infused with Dunne's relaxed charm and subtle eye for detail. While fashion is often flashy and pushing forward there is something reassuring and frankly inspiring about one-of-a-kind garments made with craftsmanship.

IN CONCLUSION

This enchanted  collection  effortlessly blends tradition with a quirky edge. With each piece, you'll find yourself immersed in a world where fashion becomes an art form, where heritage meets innovation, and where even the smallest touch is a testament to Dunne's unparalleled craftsmanship.

CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW