Sophie wears nothing but Ara Jo
Profile
Ara Jo began in 1998 on a cold day with a pre-pubescent adolescent, a pair of trousers, some scissors and an impromptu pair of leg warmers...
Ara Jo's slutty discothèque graduate collection 'Hypnosis' set a few industry eyeballs whirling last year. Jo's stretchy, proportion contorting shapes went beyond the safety of the contemporary and into futuristic unknowns. Like a magnificently elongated alien leaving the amniotic sac, with headgear, sequined gloves and all that sparkles, 'Hypnosis' was experimental and extravagant to say the least. The prison of the mind is depicted through contrasting cage-like neckpieces, cocooning the skull and expanding endless elasticity; forcing the wearer into a 'nostalgic travel' through the mind. “When people are hypnotized, they can’t really move or talk. I started to design from that point - People are hypnotized inside my collection.”
Actively subverting the notions of wearable art, the CSM graduate has managed to catch the roving eye of outlandish extraordinaire Lady GaGa. The 'boning dress' fitted the master of the poker face like a glove...or like a translucent hooded jacket sewn to a short modern crinoline, joined to a pair of leggings - flashing some taped up nipples of course.
An ardent devotee to the Avant-Garde, Jo's sexy silhouettes and streamline shapes leave little to the imagination, with flesh exposing panels and spray on lycra - sexually exciting characteristics that fed through into her S/S 2010 collection, where erogenous zones moved to parts hitherto unexplored. Inspired by deep-sea mythical creatures, vibrant citrus hues acknowledge kaleidoscopic fish, wrapped up in body moulding shapes.
Assisting the likes of Nathan Jenden, Kinder Aggugini and Nova Dando in her formative years may be a clue as to why the girl errs toward this curious side, but her quirky design methods - designing whilst dancing - and a bus for a studio, clarify how her collections emerge from some sort of cosmic universe. The Ara related excitement pertains as we eagerly await a new collection.
Insight
SS: If you wrote a journal entry about the most memorable day in your career, what would it say?
Ara: The day I saw Lady GaGa was wearing my collection!
It was the biggest moment that happened to me ever as a designer, and it was the biggest step to get involved in fashion industry - the real world! I would say it was my turning point so that I could keep going on this job. I am building contacts from celebrities' stylists and i would love to work with them. Because they want something different - I want to do something different.
Words: Sarah Bonser
Photography: Dan Pacrami
Styling: Paulene Thanusutiyaporn?
Make-Up: Fiona McKeand
Model: Sophie @ Oxygen