“Art and Fashion Will Forever Be Intertwined”: Silk Laundry’s Art Prize
- Words by Peppermint
above WINNER OF THE 2022 SILK LAUNDRY ART PRIZE, ‘SUNRISE LILLIES’ BY OLIVIA PETERS
With pieces that exemplify quiet luxury, beautiful aesthetics and exceptional craftsmanship, Silk Laundry is known both for its iconic slip dresses and its ability to effortlessly mix art, design and fashion. It’s no surprise then, that as well as producing wearable art, the brand celebrates artistry in all its forms with the Silk Laundry Art Prize for photography. The annual competition – which asks photographers to submit original works around a theme – reflects founder and creative director Katie Kolodinski’s passion for art, artists and nature.
“I’ve always had a deep appreciation for art, and artists, whether recognised for their works or carving time out of their days, or weeks, to embrace a moment of creativity,” says Katie.
Entries are open until 7 September 2023, with Katie encouraging anyone to submit their images. “The Art Prize is open to people of all ages and situations and offers a platform to celebrate them,” she says.
To learn more, we caught up with Katie to talk about this year’s unexpected theme and what might catch the eye of the judging panel.
left KATIE KOLONDINSKI COURTESY OF SILK LAUNDRY right A PIECE FROM THE CURRENT COLLECTION, ‘90S SLIP DRESS MAGIC MUSHROOM DARK EARTH’
How do you think the fashion and art worlds intersect?
Art is often associated with emotions and so is fashion. Fashion is a direct expression of ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world. Now more than ever it seems the lines are being blurred, fashion brands are collaborating with artists which in turn is allowing art to be more accessible to a wider audience.
Now more than ever it seems the lines are being blurred, fashion brands are collaborating with artists which in turn is allowing art to be more accessible to a wider audience.
Even when I am personally creating new collections I often turn to art pieces for colour combinations and inspiration. Art and fashion will forever be intertwined.
This year’s theme is ‘Nature’s Laboratory’, which asks entrants to capture “the intricate beauty of insects right in our very own backyard”. What made you choose insects as a source of inspiration and creativity?
As someone who appreciates nature, I am always searching for inspiration that defines the fundamental beauty of our world.
I have, in the past, created special exclusive prints featuring endangered species. These prints have been largely focused on bigger animals. However, insects make up so much animal life on this planet and now it has been said that our global insect populations are declining by 2–2.5% each year due to habitat loss, pollution, insecticides, pesticides, and climate change.
Insects are critical to most life on this planet and I feel their importance needs to be stressed.
Insects are at the base of the food chain feeding birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals as well as maintaining healthy soil and pollination. Insects are critical to most life on this planet and I feel their importance needs to be stressed. On a personal level, I just want to see what is around other people’s cities and homes and want this art prize to feel accessible to all.
What will the judges be looking for when it comes to deciding the winners of the Silk Laundry Art Prize?
Sometimes you don’t know until you see it. However, we will be looking for something that makes us feel harmony and transports you to where the photos were taken. Technically, it will be based on the balance of composition, lighting, colour and quality.
ENTER THE SILK LAUNDRY ART PRIZE HERE!
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
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“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
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Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
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8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
