Young Designer takes on women for summer
Fit. As the founder of edgy streetwear label Mayson, the Melbourne-based designer has created his fair share of men's apparel. But when it comes to designing for the female form, he admitted things aren?t always so easy.
"It's much, much harder with the patternmaking side of things," he said. "Women's bodies are so different in shape and variety so I've come across a few challenges. What works for me is fitting three completely different sized girls and adjusting different fabrics to suit their shape."
Mason is betting on this three-way strategy to secure his launch into womenswear for spring/summer 07/08. Taking inspiration from the latest fad for 80s inspired sports apparel, the designer's debut collection will include slouchy cotton jersey tops, dresses, skinny bottoms and long hooded knits. Manufactured locally in Melbourne, prints and details will include scoop pockets, houndsooth patterns and contrasting fabrics.
Planning to showcase this range at the upcoming Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in May, Mason said he hopes to secure a mixture of local and international stockists. Priced between $80 to $300, the designer will target both middle-market boutiques and retailers.
"I don't want to get to a stage where my business is too huge that I have a big design team and lose the hands-on element," he said. "I want to keep it small enough to be happy and big enough to make financially happy too."
Mason's launch into womenswear will coincide with a selling trip to London and Paris in late June. The designer, who has already established himself in 12 boutiques throughout London, said he is committed to establishing a small but formidable presence in the international market.
"Spreading the brand is more important to me than having heaps and heaps of stockists in just one country."