Rising Star Of Australia

Since 2007, Australia has a new star at its fashion week. Dion Lee, an emerging Sydney-based designer has been showing to standing ovations. This young designer (in his early twenties), a graduate of Fashion Design Studio, Sydney Institute of Technology, has won several awards and managed to secure some stellar stockists.

I first wrote about Lee in my "Girl About Town" column for InSing last year. He is one designer I am checking out and will be investing in. I was told that Inhabit The Other Store will be stocking his collection, but I checked last week and was told the stocks are not in yet. He might be lesser known for now but I feel it won’t be long before he receives international acclaim (mark my words). Perhaps Nicole Kidman or Kylie Minogue should support their fellow countryman. Nicole to wear it to the Oscar and Kylie for her next music video.

His designs are primarily about innovative cut and functional detailing. For Autumn/Winter 10 collection (which is our Spring Summer 10 since Australia is on alternate season from international fashion cycle), his clothes can be described as sci-fi meets origami, with cut-outs at the elbows and the back, as well as statement-making structured shoulder details. Think Fifth Element the movie, and you will get a good picture. I would personally describe the collection as juxtaposition of Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Balmain and Gucci… all in a good way.

For his Spring Summer 2010/11 collection (which is our Autumn Winter 2010), Lee displays that he is a jack of all cuts and a master in all styles as well. Check out the following runway looks that are my favourites (by favourite, I mean I want to buy them all).

Lee's tailoring style reminded me of Helmut Lang and Jil Sander when the designers were still in charge of their namesake labels. The cut is bold with strong clean lines, and has an air of quiet intellectual feel. The strategic cut-outs also reminded me of what Frida Giannini is doing for Gucci.

Judging from these pictures, Lee's draping is comparable to Christopher Bailey's work for Burberry Prorsum, as well as Queen of drapes, Sophia Kokosalaki. Grecian has been given a modern update to bring out the goddesses in all of us.

When it comes to prints, Lee's clever use of Rorschach blots makes him a genius. These mesmerising prints are contemporary with a macabre feel - in an Alexander McQueen kinda way.

Official Sites : www.dionlee.com and www.vogue.com.au