NATIONAL: Haute couture designer Toni Maticevksi is offering dresses priced up to six times less than those found in his traditional collections.
Maticevski today (June 9) joined a procession of local designers listing their garments on estile.com, a private online fashion boutique based in Australia. The invitation-only service offers garments at up to 70 per cent off the recommended retail price, with sales only running for 36 to 72 hours in total.
Melbourne-based Maticevski, who is renowned for producing hand-finished gowns priced upwards of $1500, has listed nine dresses and separates starting at $296. This is only his second venture into the value market, with department store Myer exclusively carrying his diffusion line Toni by Toni Maticevksi (priced from $400 to $700).
Highlight pieces include a black, cowl back cocktail dress made from a triacetate/polyester blend and a layered tulip dress produced from black and purple metallic silk.
The news came as department stores Myer and David Jones reported strong starts to the stocktake sales season. First day sales figures at Myer topped those of last year while competitor David Jones recorded its strongest day of winter trade.