Ada Zanditon - Echolocation - AW10
Image by permission of Ada Zanditon
Opposite the house where I grew up stood a row of very tall trees. At dusk, when the sky turned carbon bluish grey, the trees’ blackened silhouettes came alive with dark flecks that darted amongst the high branches. Our neighbouring bats had awoken. Although I often wondered whether they were related to Dracula – who had visited my local seaside town – I was always more mesmerised than frightened by the nocturnal activities of these little winged creatures that had spent all day hanging upside down.
Ada Zanditon’s fascination for bats and their conservation inspired her Autumn Winter 2010 collection Echolocation. Whilst looking across a low set winter sky from her studio window, Zanditon imagined bats ”mysterious and eerie…with their fine structured wings” navigating and communicating their way in a nocturnal world. A world in which, sadly, their numbers are plummeting.
From this initial concept Zanditon has created a stunning collection combining digital prints - inspired by bare branches and beating wings - with structured silhouettes, geometric pleated panels, body-con styling and elegant full length dresses. All pieces are produced in East London using organic cottons, Shetland wool, high quality silk taffeta and organza - all eco-dyed or digitally printed in the bruised colours of a winter sky: purples, indigo, grey and black with flashes of bright fuchsia, jade and teal.
When I asked Ada how she became interested in ethical and sustainable fashion she explained to me that she had always been interested in the environment. Whilst studying fashion she attended a presentation by Katherine Hamnett, which inspired her to combine her two passions of fashion and conservation.
With this innovative collection of wearable, eye-catching pieces, Ada Zanditon has successfully communicated her design talents as well as her passion for conservation. Especially for the bat population.
Ada Zanditon - Echolocation - AW10
All images by permission of Ada Zanditon
Ada Zanditon - Echolocation - AW10
All images by permission of Ada Zanditon
