SYDNEY: High-profile stylist-come-designer Fernando Frisoni knows better than most the importance of keeping up appearances.
Less than two years after wowing Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) audiences with his debut menswear collection, Frisoni hopes to mark his first solo presentation with an equally jaw-dropping moment - the launch of his first womenswear collection.
Designed to sit alongside his minimalist menswear offering, the Brazilian designer said his new capsule women's range was borne as a result of a drive from existing stockists. As well as the odd fashion editor.
"The shops started asking me to do some of my menswear styles in smaller sizes so that they could fit women. Then all the fashion editors started coming in to buy for their boyfriends and asked me 'why don't you do womenswear?' I wanted to do it but my business partner at the time [Nicola Finetti] was already doing women's so I was a bit stuck. I got such energy from their enthusiasm."
Boasting 25 individual styles incorporating a mix of tailored T-shirts, waistcoats, trousers, track pants and singlets, Frisoni said the Frisoni Women's range was constructed from "very, very wearable pieces".
Staying true to his desire to utilise luxurious fabrications throughout his collections, the Frisoni Women's range incorporates linen and silk/cotton viscose blends.
With retail price points for the collection ranging from $250 for a shirt to $500 for a jacket, the collection has already attracted interest from retailers such as Belinda Seper, he said.
Frisoni said while he was inspired by other womenswear labels such as Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Kirrily Johnston as well as several "new generation" designers, what he loved best was their honesty.
"They're honest with their designs and that's what I try to be as well. I am a menswear designer and I am proud of that. But you can't compare my aesthetic to others. I don't know if it's going to be flattering or not and I don't really care. If you are designing for other people, rather than yourself, you won't have a market."
Having secured RAFW's coveted closing spot at 5pm Friday May 1, Frisoni would offer few details about what trade attendees could expect from the show.
"I'm a bit nervous about it but the hair and make-up is going to be amazing. I don't really want to give too much away but expect the clothes to be out of the ordinary."