It sounds akin to the stories of most casual clothing labels: two like-minded designers decide to test their luck as a partnership in the fickle fashion industry, they produce a range of funky tees for men with similar tastes as themselves, and soon discover their wares sell quite well.
But it’s the next part that changes from the regular rag-trade tale. Instead of continuing in the inevitable direction of mass-produced street wear – where they could sell thousands of tees, launch a denim line and become Melbourne’s version of Tsubi – Shandor Gancs and Boyd Parry decided to take their label Leopold to new, up-market heights.
Wanting to design garments that could be dressed up or down, worn to work or out on the town, the Leopold boys concentrated on refining their ranges of flattering pants, crisp shirts, tailored jackets and luxe knitwear.
Leopold is one of Australia's best independent labels and the recent collection at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week was outstanding. There's some good discussion of the collection on my website at http://www.camarilla.com.au/2006/04/25/mercedes-australian-fashion-week-begins-tomorrow/#comments
Posted by: Andy | May 13, 2006 at 05:59 AM