From hair to down there: Wayne's new venture
SYDNEY: Australian womenswear designer Wayne Cooper is proving to be a collaborative powerhouse.
In what appears to be a concerted effort to diversify his product portfolio, the Sydney-based fashion magnate has announced yet another partnership with a high-profile brand.
Following on from recent stints with national department store Myer and haircare brand Sunsilk, Cooper has teamed up with shoe designer Ian Morrison for an autumn/winter range of women's footwear. Already boasting his own seasonal shoe collection, Cooper said the 'Morrison Cooper' venture would offer a broader variety of heels, flats, boots and wedges at a lower price point.
Cooper has been selling his own signature footwear collection since 2003.
"[Ian and I] have been talking about this collaboration for a long time," he said. "Shoes can be quite technical and Ian specialises in that knowledge, which makes us a great team," he said. "It's a natural progression and complementary to the clothing ranges."
Priced from $198 for satin peep-toe heels to $396 for suede/leather knee-high boots, the eveningwear products feature "glamorous" detailing such as Swarovski crystals, patent piping, printed lizard leather and a metallic heel. Fabrications range from patent and metallic leathers to pleated georgettes while the colour palette varies from black, grey and tan to red and purple.
Morrison Cooper, set to be an ongoing commercial venture for both designers, will be released through Myer stores nationally from February 2008. This is Cooper's second venture with the department store in as many years, with the designer releasing his diffusion line Wayne by Wayne Cooper in August. The spring/summer range, also moderately priced from $69.95 to $249, included a variety of separates in satins, chiffons and stretch jerseys.
Cooper confirmed he had been tipping away at a childrenswear venture earlier in the year but declined to offer any details. His ready-to-wear collections are currently stocked across seven stand-alone stores, Myer and international speciality boutiques.
By Assia Benmedjdoub