Henrietta Grochowski.
Camera IconHenrietta Grochowski. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie d495229

Henrietta Grochowski launching Ginger Never Cries at PFF Generation Next

Sara FitzpatrickEastern Reporter

A QUOTE from Fred Astaire resonated with local designer Henrietta Grochowski so profoundly she took it as the name of her fashion label.

Ginger Never Cries, referring to Astaire’s legendary dance partner Ginger Roger, will launch at Perth Fashion Festival next month.

“Fred Astaire was known for his perfectionism and worked the girls really hard,” the up-and-coming Perth designer said.

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“He commented: Ginger Rogers was amazing, she never missed a beat, and ‘Ginger never cries’.

“I like the sentiment of working hard and getting back up and just getting on and making it – and I’m a red head as well so that works for me.”

Grochowski carries the vintage feel of the golden age of Hollywood into her design style.

“There is definitely a classic-ness about it,” she said.

“I’m very inspired by bygone eras: I was really into the 50s for a while and now I’m enjoying the Deco period.

“I think to move forward you have to look back and appreciate what has gone before and then put your own new spin on it.”

Henrietta Grochowski. Andrew Ritchie d495229
Camera IconHenrietta Grochowski. Andrew Ritchie d495229 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Shaking things up with her unique take, the pharmaceutical buyer-turned designer treats most of her fabric with liquid silicone.

“It’s normally used for boat making and creating things like moulds so it’s a very manly, industrial material but then I squeeze it on to the fabrics and attach things to it like beads and lace,” Grochowski explained.

“Then it changes how I have to design so the seam lines are quite different and some of my garments don’t have any stitching: it’s all held together by the silicone itself.”

Originally from the UK, Grochowski moved to Australia in 2015 for a chance to ‘change things up.’

From one little sewing class she went on to study fashion and started a journey she wasn’t expecting.

Eight of her deco-inspired looks, comprising gloves, crop jackets, trench-coats, blazers and skirts, will showcase at Generation Next on September 12.

In its 21st year, the Festival is delivered by Fashion Council WA for the first time.

It runs from September 5-15 and includes pop-up fashion and beauty events at City of Perth Fashion Central, runway shows at Fashion Paramount and industry forum events at Quay Perth.

Tickets are available through Ticketek.

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