Top accolade for stage designer

NATIONAL: Whoever said rock 'n roll and politics don't mix clearly hasn't met Ray Brown.

The iconic stage designer, who has worked alongside the likes of Bon Jovi, Guns 'N Roses and Metallica, has been inducted into Australia's fashion hall of fame.

Brown is now one of only 20 national designers to be listed on the Australian Government's official culture web portal culture.gov.au – a site which attracts 4,761,067 visits per annum.

Brown is listed alongside the likes of Prue Acton – the designer credited with the creation of the mini skirt – and internationally acclaimed businesswoman Collette Dinnigan.

Brown said the achievement couldn't have come at a more monumental time as he prepares for the launch of his first ready-to-wear womenswear line in America.

"This is a great honour," he said. "I have lived all over the world but I will always be an Aussie."