Elska von Hatzfeldt / Ribbon Embellished Slip Dress

Designer and Art Director, Elska von Hatzfeldt worked with a long white organic slip dress for Mind Mend.

Tartan Mind Mend: Tell us about what you do that defines being a creative to you.
Elska von Hatzfeldt: Inspiration is everywhere. Never stop learning. Nothing is “correct”.

TMM: What creative pursuits, little rituals, or things to look forward to, helped you to keep going during lockdown?
EVH: Dancing in the kitchen with my kids. Thinking about all the tattoos I’d like to get. Shaking off the bullshit. Watching every Marvel movie in timeline order.

TMM: Tell us about your re-imagined Tartan piece and what inspired you.
EVH: I wanted to add colour and movement but maintain the elegance of the original piece. Mood wise I was projecting aspirations of happy, fun, carefree times dancing like a beast and chugging champagne. Aesthetically I had visions of cowboy fringe, vibrancy of the Hmong, Mexican ribbon dresses, the regalia of a jingle dress that all so beautifully represents the immense power of women.

TMM: How has the lockdown affected your creative process?
EVH: It’s been a struggle. Melbourne lockdown has felt like an endless strenuous crawl through heavy fog with the occasional stop for libations and giggles, then back to the zombie hamster wheel. I have not felt particularly creative for the past two years.

TMM: When the world opens back up, what is the first thing you would love to do?
EVH: Hug people. Laugh a lot. Have friends over, see my family, travel, eat yum cha.

TMM: Starting your own women-founded skateboard company, Rookie in New York in the 1990’s, what’s the biggest thing you learned in creating something that was so ahead of its time?
EVH: We were just in the moment, unapologetically feeding off the energy of 90’s NY. We were unaware of the well timed wave that we rode, it was much more about blind determination than conscious risk taking. I’ve learnt to always be grateful because sometimes it‘s just about stumbling into the right people, timing and dumb f-ing luck.

TMM: And with your interiors and styling work on the Yandoit Church in Daylesford, what’s the biggest thing you learned there?
EVH: There are no mistakes. Everything can be moved around and changed with seasons and moods. Embrace pattern and colour because it’s good for the soul.

100% Organic Silk
Dry Clean (P)

Sample Size 2/M

Due to the handmade/second hand nature of this item any imperfections are considered intentional and are unique characteristics of this one of a kind piece. Over time changes may occur. Handle with care. No exchanges or refunds are available for Tartan Mind Mend charity auction items.

@elskamo
@yandoitchurch