Garrett Neff on Katama’s Aussie Debut

by Eddie Roche

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 16: Models rehearse ahead of the Katama by Garrett Neff show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Resort 18 Collections at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool on May 16, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Garrett Neff’s Katama line took its biggest leap this week in Sydney, Australia, where he showed his Resort collection in an iconic location fitting with the brand’s DNA. Neff writes in from Oz about his very good G’day. 

“Early 6 a.m. call time at our incredible venue Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. We chose this venue in Sydney as it’s such a landmark, opposite the Naval Yard and close to the bridge and botanical gardens. It’s beautifully contemporary yet classic and seemed to naturally speak to so much of the Katama brand ethos.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 16: Models rehearse ahead of the Katama by Garrett Neff show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Resort 18 Collections at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool on May 16, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

“We shot some of our models pre-show before the sun got too high. With our teams we designed a format for the show that took in the entire parameter of the pool, with a number of turns and pauses to create the best effect. It took a bit of rehearsing to get the sequencing and timing right, but it worked!”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 16: Models walk the runway during the Katama by Garrett Neff show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Resort 18 Collections at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool on May 16, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

“My family has history in the Navy, so it’s always informed Katama. The opportunity to show against a backdrop of these boats was too good to miss. As it’s a working naval base, there is obviously no guarantee that these ships would be there. Luckily one or two are moored for refurb and another one pulled in on Monday right before the show. You literally could not pay to get this as your set. We’re hugely thankful to the Sydney Council and IMG for helping us to pull this off. As the boys stood for their final lineup at the pool, it was such a perfect moment. We cast 23 boys total with the legendary [stylist] Trevor Stones, and what we ended up with perfectly complimented this summer camp and coming of age vibe the collection is built around. It was such an honor joining the boys for the finale and taking a bow. We had such a great turnout, and we’re still feeling the energy!”

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