SYDNEY: Fernando Frisoni has joined the Myer stable of Australian designers with his first full womenswear collection.
Dropped into Myer stores last week, the department store has picked up 18 of his 32 autumn/winter 2010 designs. A second delivery will appear in Myer stores at the end of March.
Frisoni previously focused on creating avant garde menswear designs. He said he started womenswear in response to comments from boutique stockists, who reported that women were purchasing his menswear pieces. He began with a small offer for spring/summer 2009/10, before producing the full autumn/winter range.
The collection has a gothic romantic theme, with draping, deconstructed elements and asymmetrical styles key. Voluminous trousers, shrunken jackets, long slim-line dresses and cowl neck designs are in the mix. Important fabrics include silks, cashmere, wool and fine jerseys. Black is the dominant colour, enhanced with vivid pink, green and blue prints by textiles designer Bernard Kim.
Dresses cost between $290 and $450, with some eveningwear styles stretching to $600. He said his approach to the collection was one of longevity and quality, rather than trends.
Frisoni said he is enjoying the interest in his womenswear offer and that it has ramped up his day to day business significantly, with more media and celebrity requests.
The Sydney based designer is near completion of his spring/summer 2010/11 offer, for which he said vivid colours and prints will feature. Developing new fabrics is also part of the approach, with long-lasting, easy to wash materials the goal.
He said Myer is not stocking his menswear, however it remains in independent boutiques. Stockists of the brand include Assin, Belinda, The Corner Shop, Blondies, Alice Euphemia and Chamber Maid.
Frisoni hails from Sao Paulo in Brazil and moved to Australia in 2000. He has worked as a celebrity stylist and produces the ‘Urban Style’ page in Sydney’s Sun Herald newspaper.