Paige Swainson

Matryoshka is an innovative swim & resort wear collection that draws inspiration from the Russian Matryoshka or Babushka Doll. The collection reveals the interplay between the traditional and contemporary, with the focus on the Matryoshka effect. The layered nature of the Matryoshka and its ‘doll within a doll’ metaphor stimulates playful silhouettes and sculptural swimwear exploration.
Matryoshka features elements of bonding and layering of fabrics and contrasting textures creating depth, luxury and the complex dimension of movement and flow.
The detailed lines, scaling, tone and exuberant bold colour of the prints play on the contrast of the contemporary beach culture against the traditional culture of the Matryoshka. Continuing the theme of the ‘doll-within-a-doll’ metaphor of the Matryoshka, the prints were created from the cross-sections of a variety of vegetables, including cabbage, mushrooms, and lettuce/kale. Both the internal and external layers of the vegetables created organic lines and textures that reflected the silhouettes of the swimwear and outerwear designs.