Talented artist making waves in fashion

Talented artist making waves in fashion

Aged just 23, ACG Strathallan alumna and Pukekohe native Lucy Gill is already making waves in the world of art and fashion.

Having graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts last year, she has exhibited her paintings in Matakana’s Vivian Art Gallery, Sanderson Gallery in Auckland, and worked at Paris Fashion Week alongside Kiwi fashion consultant Jo Knight.

This month she is heading to Paris as Brand Coordinator for Knight Collective Showroom, presenting three Kiwi and American brands’ resort collections to buyers as part of Paris Fashion Week.

Her art, which she describes as feminine and imaginative, is characterised by soft colours and lack of harsh lines or edges. She uses an ‘aesthetic vocabulary’ of shapes and symbols to depict her thoughts, “a visual structure to convey something untouchable like our wandering minds.”

Lucy started working in fashion while studying art at Elam, and sees synergies between the two – an appreciation of the creative process from initial idea and concept to a final garment or collection, for example.

“The connection for me ultimately lies with my appreciation for the creative process,” she explains. “There is such a beautiful craft and process to the creation of fashion - especially when garments are ethically and sustainably thought through.”

Her ultimate aim is to continue growing her art practice alongside her career in fashion.

“I am only at the beginning and I learn so much every day. I love that my work challenges me, I find a lot of satisfaction in working hard and I feel so lucky to be able to work creatively and enjoy what I do.”

Lucy’s love of all things creative was evident at school, where her teachers fostered her talent, particularly in painting. Former teacher Rachel Daddy, whose own time at Elam motivated Lucy to study there, said Lucy was an art teacher’s dream whose range of skills would be valuable in any creative field.

“She came with a positive mind-set and a willingness to learn. She was a risk taker and didn't shy away from trying techniques that were new to her, or working outside of her comfort zone. I am very proud of Lucy and look forward to seeing her career bloom.”

Although Lucy’s career is now firmly established in Auckland, she still comes home to visit her parents in Pukekohe East regularly.

“I have been lucky to have parents who have believed in my creative ambition,” she explains. “It is great living in Auckland, but I love being at home.”

Lucy graduated from ACG Strathallan in 2013 and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from Elam School of Fine Arts in 2017. She has three sisters Hannah, Grace and Sophie, who also attended ACG Strathallan.

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