Dean Rankin and Gavin Bradstreet, designers of Khrysalis, just launched their inaugural Avant-garde winter 2010 collection into the local Australian market.

'Jeanne D'Arc', Khrysalis Couture's must have Winter 2010 collection was inspired by Joan of Arc, an incredibly strong, passionate and empowered woman who carved out a place in history and redefined what it was to be a woman.

Joan was a revolutionary that marched to the beat of her own drum, much like the Khrysalis woman herself. Inspiration was also taken from the labels name, defined as "the hard shelled pupa of a moth or butterfly, the protective cocoon from which the transformed adult emerges”.

Clothes are our human protective layer" says Dean " something we can change on a whim to transform ourselves to suit any occasion or mood, taking us from the mundane to the fabulous." These protective elements can be seen in the leather amour plating, fabrications and construction techniques used to create a modern day Joan of Arc with a twist, a true urban warrior.

The collection uses only the finest in high quality fabrics and finishes such as Japanese leather, wool/cashmere and a silk jersey. These high quality fabrications are then combined with an unsurpassed attention to detail to create an inspired debut collection of outstanding quality and cutting edge design using construction techniques not seen in this country before. This is an exciting and unique collection that can stand proudly beside any of the top European couture houses.

www.khrysaliscouture.com