Nicol & Ford AFW 2024

When Nicol & Ford asked us for some Bondage Tape for the Australian Fashion Week 2024 runway, of course we said yes! The new Thorn collection by the famous designers Katie-Louise and Lilian Nicol-Ford, is inspired by the queer occultist artist Rosaleen Norton - dubbed “The Witch of Kings Cross”. The 25-look collection approaches her world in three chapters: underworld kink aesthetics of the 1950s; the human-animal hybrid bodies of her artwork; and the history of witchcraft and persecution.

"She was a queer woman who lived her life very openly in a very conservative time," explains Lil.

"She remains arguably the most persecuted artist in Australian history because her work was seized by the government, she was charged by the police [and] she was hounded by the media."

The Nicol-Fords's fashion label is known for drawing inspiration from lesser-known queer historical figures and moments. Their latest collection continues this tradition, showcasing the rich history that has influenced their designs over the past decade.

"We like to delve into history and find people or movements or times that speak to contemporary queer experience and find ways to retell those stories to our wonderful community and audience." Explains Lil.

It's no surprise that Nicol & Ford's fabulous designs have been showcased in more than just fashion shows. The Powerhouse Museum loved their first collection from AFW, La Pouffe, so much that they added it to their exhibition for Absolutely Queer during World Pride. And let's not forget their exciting venture into theatre, where they created costumes for Darlinghurst Theatre Company's performance of Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 last year!

Thorn will be their third AFW show and the pair have been working on it since last December.


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