Australia’s fashion laureate is a classic designer for the digital age
Toni Maticevski is inspired by old couturiers such as Balenciaga and Dior and loves the global reach of social media
The Australian fashion industry has always operated independently from the rest of the world – blame it on geography and topsy-turvy seasons – but things are changing as more designers from Kym Ellery and Dion Lee to Tome designers Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin are making their mark on the global scene.
Among this group is Melbourne-based Toni Maticevski, who is currently enjoying his moment in the spotlight. In just the past year he has launched a ready-to-wear bridal collection, a book and hosted numerous international trunk shows including one in Hong Kong. To top it off, he was named Australian fashion laureate.
Maticevski may be a new name among international fashion circles, but the designer launched his label in 1999 following stints at brands including Cerruti Paris and Donna Karan in New York.
“I don’t know why I decided on fashion except that it seemed to encompass all the things that I wanted to do creatively. It meant I could tap into my interest in art, architecture, music, film, photography, and at the same time I could make women feel beautiful and desirable. I didn’t understand that there was a career to be had until I saw the work of Balenciaga and Valentino. I think the two solidified a lot for me,” he says.