Latest news with #LeeMathews
The Age
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
This leading designer is inspired by a Brit with ties to the royal family
This story is part of the July 13 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, interior designer Brahman Perera. How would you describe your style? Layered, textured, sentimental. What's the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I have some beautiful saris and embroidered shawls of my grandmother's. They're sentimental pieces I wear often, rather than saving for anything too special. And the most recent addition? A cobalt-blue silk skirt from Lee Mathews. What would you wear … on a first date? A silk skirt with a knitted tank, a great coat with a brooch and a solid leather boot. … on a plane? A comfortable wool blend set by Henne or Dissh, and shearling-lined Birkenstock sandals that I'm not above wearing with socks. … on the red carpet? A custom piece by Melbourne designer Amy Lawrance. What's your favourite fashion era? I reference the work of Cecil Beaton from the 1920s to the 1950s a lot. He was lauded as a photographer and costume designer, but he's really a fashion designer. I love his use of fabric and drapery, whether it's on a gown or curtains. Do you have a favourite fashion designer? Issey Miyake is an inspiration – the fashion becomes wearable art. What's your fragrance of choice? Hiero 'Otium' perfume oil. What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A good coat – I like Marni, Max Mara and Christian Kimber – a shawl or scarf of my grandmother's, and a skirt. I love that men are embracing skirts, whether it's a pleated Thom Browne or androgynous Lee Mathews piece. It adds a different dynamic to men's fashion which I used to consider fairly banal and predictable.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This leading designer is inspired by a Brit with ties to the royal family
This story is part of the July 13 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, interior designer Brahman Perera. How would you describe your style? Layered, textured, sentimental. What's the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I have some beautiful saris and embroidered shawls of my grandmother's. They're sentimental pieces I wear often, rather than saving for anything too special. And the most recent addition? A cobalt-blue silk skirt from Lee Mathews. What would you wear … on a first date? A silk skirt with a knitted tank, a great coat with a brooch and a solid leather boot. … on a plane? A comfortable wool blend set by Henne or Dissh, and shearling-lined Birkenstock sandals that I'm not above wearing with socks. … on the red carpet? A custom piece by Melbourne designer Amy Lawrance. What's your favourite fashion era? I reference the work of Cecil Beaton from the 1920s to the 1950s a lot. He was lauded as a photographer and costume designer, but he's really a fashion designer. I love his use of fabric and drapery, whether it's on a gown or curtains. Do you have a favourite fashion designer? Issey Miyake is an inspiration – the fashion becomes wearable art. What's your fragrance of choice? Hiero 'Otium' perfume oil. What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A good coat – I like Marni, Max Mara and Christian Kimber – a shawl or scarf of my grandmother's, and a skirt. I love that men are embracing skirts, whether it's a pleated Thom Browne or androgynous Lee Mathews piece. It adds a different dynamic to men's fashion which I used to consider fairly banal and predictable.
Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Catwalk-worthy fashion at Me+Em prices? These under-the-radar brands are the next big things
To my knowledge no other fashion week opens with a welcoming Smoking Ceremony. This is an ancient First Nations ritual that saw fashion journalists, influencers and buyers coming together around a fire pit to waft eucalyptus-infused smoke around themselves in a communal body and soul cleansing moment. This is simply unimaginable in Paris, London or New York – the outfits wouldn't allow for such spontaneous movement. This is the friendliest, least pretentious fashion week I've been to. Which isn't to say there aren't preeners, socialites and one celebrity. I spotted Nigella Lawson at Lee Mathews, wearing a monochrome floral dress by the designer. But if anyone else noticed her, they didn't let on. 'Most of our big celebrities don't live in Australia,' one journalist pointed out. She didn't seem overly concerned. No celebrities means no unseemly scrums. Australia Fashion Week nearly didn't happen this time. For years, it was run by IMG, the global sports, fashion and events corporation, which turned it, as another typically blunt Aussie editor told me, 'into a tack fest'. Australian designers, working to different seasons, have traditionally been at a disadvantage when it comes to selling to the northern hemisphere. Factor in tariffs (long before Trump) and they were often uncompetitive once exported, although one business here told me import duties to the UK from Australia were never that high. 'It's just that some designers saw they could get away with charging pounds for Aussie dollars so they did.' As a result few European or American journalists and buyers troubled Australia's showrooms and the country's biggest fashion names, Zimmermann and Camilla and Marc, fled to Paris in order to become international businesses. When IMG finally pulled out of Oz Fashion Week at the end of 2024, it looked as though it was game over. At the 11th hour, the New South Wales government, realising fashion can deliver some cultural collateral, stepped in with some money – and here we are, at that fire pit. You can see why Australia's Fashion Council were keen not to let their fashion week die. The country has plenty of design talent (a show called New Frontiers at the start of the week featured half a dozen promising young talents). Australia excels at resort and beachwear – the kind of breezy, easy, pretty, floaty clothes that have become an increasingly important part of European luxury brands' output. Also, with tariffs now such a live issue for any country trading with the US, Australian brands may come to seem increasingly reasonable. One salient lesson here for London Fashion Week (also struggling for airspace on the international stage) is that not everything has to cost £2000 to be catwalk-worthy. Aje is a hugely popular label in Oz, with a cult following on the UK's rental sites, where its ruffled or floral dresses (think affordable Zimmermann) are a big hit with wedding guests and maids of honour. It has a comprehensive business ranging from denim jeans and jackets and its diffusion label, Aje Studio to ball gowns. Knits start at the equivalent of £200 in Australia – Me+Em prices – and dresses go up to around £1000. Its early morning show by Sydney Harbour was a highlight. With prices from £300, Ngali, founded by Denni Francisco, one of Australia's leading indigenous designers, is another business making thoughtful, original design accessible. Francisco worked with First Nation artists on this collection to produce striking printed co-ords, loose dresses and lightweight coats that look uniquely Aussie, but also have international appeal. One can imagine Ngali and Iordanes Spyridon Gogos' artisanal aesthetic finding a loyal following at Liberty in London, whose buying and merchandise director, Lydia King, was also out here, on the hunt, as she puts it, for 'businesses that have critical mass in Australia, but aren't necessarily known in the UK'. Gogos, who is 30 and Greek-Australian, draws on both countries' indigenous textiles. Some of it was deliriously bonkers, but the patchwork coats have a 'collectible', Dries Van Noten feel to them. Lee Mathews, the designer Nigella turned out for, is known to British fans for her clean, flowing silhouettes, and high-quality natural fabrics. But since imploded last year, she's been hard to get hold of in the UK. After I posted some pictures of her dusty pastel maxi-dresses and spare, monochrome separates on Instagram, several colleagues messaged to say they missed not being able to buy her. Perhaps Liberty can solve this. I especially loved the delicate way she handled sheer, along with Hansen & Gretel and Bianca Spender, who all made it look subtle and grown up. Sydneysiders love a healthy lifestyle. Five AM beach runs and swims are not seen as a form of insanity and studios all over the city incubate new forms of exercise which often go global. Nagnata, an activewear label with add-ons, such as brushed alpaca boyfriend cardigans, knitted shorts, retro running jackets in organic cotton and wool leggings, is one of their homegrown secrets. But for how long? Activewear meets lifestyle is where the major growth is right now. Alo, the US activewear brand founded less than 20 years ago, is valued at $10 billion US. Vuori (US, worth $5.5 billion) and Lululemon (Canadian, $37.9 billion) show what's possible. To my mind, Nagnata, with its spicy colours and attitude, is the most stylish. If I were a buyer looking for a fresh point of view with commercial potential at a compelling price (as Harvey Nichols is) I'd be parsing the Australian resort collections, both men's, such as Joseph & James and women's – and hoping that London Fashion Week takes note. While Australia's designers are profoundly aware of the debt they owe to their First Nation elders, they also want to celebrate their country as it is now. Compare with London Fashion Week, which in recent seasons, has sponsored some young designers more intent on making statements about Gaza and the UK government than anything anyone might want to wear. Why not learn from Australia and platform designers who want to dress us rather than excoriate us? At prices we can actually afford.
7NEWS
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
These are the four hair and beauty products that stole the show at Australian Fashion Week 2025
As Australian Fashion Week comes to an end, we're busy recapping our favourite beauty looks spotted on the runway. From trending side parts to subtle flushed cheeks, it's surprisingly easy to try your hand at some of the most popular beauty trends, thanks to a few key products and tools. Shark Beauty's infamous FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System is responsible for the gorgeous, sleek strands spotted on multiple runways, while RATIONALE's spf-infused products played a key part in the radiant, dewy complexions of the models at Lee Mathews. Here are the four hero products and tools behind the runway looks that will no doubt be influencing the season ahead. With surprisingly affordable price tags, you'll want to add them to your at-home routine immediately. 1. Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System, $399.99 at Myer Carla Zampatti opened the her 60th anniversary show with flowing silhouettes, polka dots and plenty of feather details. Models were sent down the runway with hair in a deep side part, subtle bend at the ends and worn over naturally textured strands. Hair Director Pauline McCabe delivered what she called a 'very luxe, polished look with a bit of edge.' Her secret weapon? The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System, an all-in-one tool for delivering shape, shine and structure, without a salon appointment. 2. RATIONALE Beautiful Cheeks in Hera, $82 at RATIONALE Lee Mathews marked 25 years with models walking down the runway with gorgeous dewy complexions created using SPF-infused products from RATIONALE. The cheeks glowed with Beautiful Cheeks in Hera, an spf-infused cream blush that adds a subtle 'I just came back from holiday' look. And the lips were finished with Beautiful Lips in Vera, a sheer colour with a skincare-first finish that's as practical as it is pretty. 3. OPI Infinite Shine in Dulce de Leche, $17.46 at Adore Beauty Shoppers favourite Aussie label AJE celebrated their resort collection with a show-stopping performance at Barangaroo. To match the pops of pastel on the runway, nail brand OPI added creamy shades to match for a classic, yet modern touch. Infinite Shine in Dulce de Leche, is soft, elegant and the perfect shade for daily wear. Pick up a bottle for your own at-home mani from Adore Beauty. 4. MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Smolder, $41 at MAC Alix Higgins showcased the Resort 2026 collection 'The Needle' and all the beauty looks on the runway were inspired by raw texture and creative play. The makeup, by Sean Brady for MAC Cosmetics, leaned into celestial details with under-eye liner and delicate star motifs for a romantic and moody look. To recreate a smoky under-eye at home, you'll need to get your hands on MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl in the shade Smolder.
The Australian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Australian Fashion Week 2025: Day 2 highlights and key trends
You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback. You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Lee Mathews likes to do her own thing. As a brand that has withstood the challenges of the fashion industry for 25 years, this is advice worth noting. For Australian Fashion Week, Mathews says it was important to acknowledge all of the people who have contributed to growing her label from one that started in her kitchen to having the kind of following that roars with appreciation at the end of a fashion show. Those on the front row included celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, food icon Maggie Beer and actor Isabel Lucas, testament to the brand's appeal among creatives, busy people and those who simply like lovely clothes. A model walks the runway during the Joseph & James show Picture: Getty Images Itwas the Melbourne's label first appearance at Australian Fashion Week Picture: Getty Images 'This season feels like a nod to everyone who's been part of the journey; the artists, the makers, the mills,' says Mathews. The collection included plenty of breezy, gauzy dresses in fabrics such as cotton, linen and checked gingham and that which make one immediately want to frolic in a field or at least have a picnic. Special details abounded, included applique florals, hooped skirts, peter pan collars, lace trimmed sleeves and apron back pinafore dresses. They were pared back with the more utilitarian pieces such as loose trousers with ropes through the belt loops and light jackets. A colour palette of mostly whites and neutrals was occasionally spliced with jolts of red and sheer pink maxi-dresses. 'In many ways, it's a celebration but also a moment of reflection,' says Mathews of what the show meant to her. 'It's been quite a journey.' Meanwhile, Beare Park offered a slinky take on dressing up with dresses and spaghetti strap tops featuring twists and trails of silk, some with alluring bows at the back - pared back with sophisticated suiting in colours such as slate grey and taupe. The effect was a languorous glamour for after hours (and presumably having already crushed the 9-5). A model walks the runway during the highly anticipated Beare Park show at Australian Fashion Week 2025. Picture:The Beare Park runway featured slinky and sophisticated looks. Picture:Designer and director of Beare Park Gabriella Pereira was crowned 'Emerging Designer Of The Year' at the 2024 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards in November last year. Picture:Another highlight was the group Frontier show, which included the likes of Kiwi brands Wynn Hamlyn and Paris Georgia, as well as Amber Keating's Common Hours, newcomer Amy Lawrance, Courtney Zheng, Matin and Esse. For Charlotte Hicks, whose collection included luxurious leather separates, sharp coats and a sequined dress with a slinky cowl back, the decision to show a 'see now, buy now' collection was about seeking an immediate and 'emotional' connection with her woman. 'When something resonates deeply, we want to respond in the moment. This format lets our woman step into the world of Edition No. 13 right away – no delay, no disconnect,' she says, adding this season she was thinking about ideas of quiet strength. The sequined dress at Esse. Good coats at Esse. Certainly it was a mood to be found in her plays on masculine and feminine tropes and wearable and appealing pieces. The group show, adds Amber Keating of Common Hours – who this year pared back her deeply embellished, and extremely personal pieces to be more streamlined with beautifully textured dresses and coats with hot pink lining – created, she says, a feeling of 'comradery and support for each other and the Australian fashion industry'. Byron Bay label Nagnata expanded its offering as part of its debut AFW show with new denim styles that included a pair of jeans, Bermuda shorts and a mini skirt. The muted colour palette, including off-white, rust and bronze, worked just as well across its collection of knitwear, swim and knitted activewear, too. Key trends so far this week have included draped tailoring, scarf coats, sequins, sheer maxi-dresses and soft leather separates. Menswear was on the agenda with the AFW debut of Melbourne label Joseph & James, which showed chunky cable knits, quilted vests and an elegant approach to relaxed separates. Farage closed out the day, in its first runway show at AFW since the brand started 30 years ago. AFW continues until Friday with Gary Bigeni, Mariam Seddiq, Aje and Romance Was Born to show
