FASHION
P P & tim o’connor label magazine Q&A ulous with the fab
What was the catalyst for you deciding to launch your own brand?
an ensemble of clothing. I want my clothes to be worn for more than
When I was in fashion school it was always in the back of my head as a rough plan. I wanted to work for someone for a few years and get some experience. I didn’t have that much to lose because I had minimal overheads but I was prepared for lean times and I never expected to be a massive success overnight.
a season as mix‘n’match pieces or by themselves and being ‘timeless’ is part of that process. Are your designs a continuation of a story? Yes they are because
Your clothes are made and manufactured in Australia. Given our high
I’m thinking of the people I’m designing the collection for so each collection flows into the next. Obviously I’m inspired by different prints or patterns as well but I try to make it, as you said, a continuation.
labour costs and current high dollar is that a source of pride that
Tell us something we don’t know about you? I’ve always had a passion
you have maintained your loyalty to Australian workers? Yes. It can
for horse riding including show jumping. I used to compete a lot and yes, I’ve broken my collar bone. I’ve had a horse since I was a young teenager and kept my horse in Centennial Park.
be difficult and at the moment it is but you also have total control over all aspects of manufacture. We have two women who are in their late 70s who do our finishing and they are as good as anyone you would find in Paris or Milan. What sort of woman do you have in mind when you are designing?
I have quite a few friends from who I draw inspiration for my designs. They’re quite fabulous and I know a lot of what is going on in their lives so I think about them when I’m designing a collection. Their ages vary from early 20s to about 60. The current winter collection appears to have a touch of 60’s rock chick mixed in with high street glamour. Is that an accurate comment?
That is a spot on description. The long scarves and big hats that can be worn with the winter collection work beautifully with the clothes. The words used most often when describing your designs are ‘timeless elegance’. You don’t appear to be a trend follower – more someone who wants his customers to continue wearing his clothes as part of 12
label magazine SPRING 2011
Retail is tough at the moment – what are your tips for survival? Try to remain energetic and inspired, have good staff, travel and do whatever you can to keep yourself on top of the game. Australia has different fashion styles e.g. Melbourne women differ from the Gold Coast. Do you allow for that with different stock in each locale? The Gold Coast is definitely different. Opening this store
in Marina Mirage puts our collection in quite a different direction and parts of the collection are aimed more at this market. We don’t have different clothes for each city but the Gold Coast has a different emphasis. Who is your style icon? The iconic designer Roy Halston from the
70s I suppose. There’s quite a few people from that era as well who had an influence such as Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall but it’s constantly evolving.
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