To celebrate the launch of Couturing.com, an installation featuring some of Australia’s top designers has been created on Level 1 of Melbourne’s GPO. Couturing.com is all about creating content to promote fashion, in particular the talented people in the Australian fashion industry. This installation features pieces from Akira, Anaessia, Lisa Ho, Manning Cartell and Willow. Each of the pieces can be purchased from the stores in Melbourne’s GPO. Learn more about each of these labels below.
AKIRA
Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most prominent contemporary fashion designers. Born in Japan, he immigrated to Australia in 1986., studying fashion at East Sydney Technical College. He opened his own store in Woollahra Sydney in 1993 and his eponymous label drew inspiration from his Japanese heritage.
His stunning designs have been exhibited in a number of major Australian galleries and he has provided costumes for the ballet, most recently the Australian Ballet’s production of Romeo & Juliet. He also recently collaborated with Qantas to develop a line of luxurious accessories for their First and Business class passengers. One of the few designers to exhibit and sell his clothes in Paris, Akira’s inspirational designs have made him one of Australia’s most respected designers.
ANAESSIA
Anaessia Sydney Retail Boutique was established in 2005 in Sydney and quickly expanded into flagship stores in the Iconic Strand Arcade in Sydney and Melbourne’s historic GPO. Know for their unique, feminine designs, Anaessia has a dedicated in-house production team which allows them to ensure their garments are of the highest quality.
Anaessia’s delicate pieces are not produced in mass quantities to maintain the exclusivity of each design. Recently expanding into New York, Anaessia is quickly gaining a loyal following around the world.
LISA HO
Starting sewing at the age of four, making patterns out of newspapers, Lisa went on to study fashion design at East Sydney Technical College before selling her own designs at the Paddington Markets in Sydney. Her stunning pieces soon quickly caught the attention of retailers and the media and started her eponymous label in 1982. She has created a business that currently employs over 100 people and is accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia for her workplace practices.
Her beautiful pieces have garnered a celebrity following around the world, with her luxe style and classic designs becoming wardrobe favourites of women for years to come.
MANNING CARTELL
Started by sisters Cheryl, Vanessa and Gabrielle Manning in 2006, Manning Cartell has developed a dedicated following in the Australian market. Known for their strong, feminine designs with an edgy twist, the Manning sister bring exciting new prints, textures and techniques to each collection. Using luxe fabrications and a refreshingly modern approach to style, the label’s strong tailoring allows them to stand out in the market.
Regulars at Australian Fashion week since 2007, Manning Cartell is quickly starting to garner interest from the overseas market, and it won’t be long till they are stocked in boutiques all around the world.
WILLOW
Debuting in 2003 at Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week to great acclaim, and premiering at London Fashion Week in 2004, WILLOW, designed by Australian designer Kit Willow was quickly on the fast track to success. In 2005, WILLOW was one of 10 labels to have fully sponsored Runway shows during New York Fashion Week and has continued to be a regular feature ever since.
Opening her first flagship store in Sydney in 2008, followed by the opening of a second and third boutique in Melbourne. Stunning embellishments, beautiful draping, bright colours and prints are typical features in every WILLOW collection. Stocked in some of the most prestigious stores around the world, WILLOW is one of Australia’s most successful fashion exports.
The installation will be running for two weeks from today so make sure you check it out!
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