Peter Morrissey is an icon of Australian fashion and has hit the headlines this week with news he will be returning to the runway for the first time in seven years at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival to showcase his ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ ready-to-wear collections designed for Big W. This is the third season and the most comprehensive range to date, and Peter is loving the opportunity to dress everyone for affordable prices.
Peter Morrissey joined forces with Big W following discussions with LA based Bruno Schiavi, who is globally recognised for creating partnerships with celebrities who love designing. Some of Bruno’s most successful partnerships include the AceStar underwear collection with cricketer Brett Lee, his range of luxury linens with Priscilla Presley, and his collaboration with high profile plastic surgeon, Dr Rey, to design the ‘Shapewear’ collection which is available exclusively from Target.
Peter Morrissey’s ready-to-wear collections for Big W are responding to a gap in the market for affordable, designer fashion and are attracting the attention of budget conscious shoppers right across the country.
‘The women’s lingerie range alone has tripled in sales since the first season and we are now dressing 7,000 Aussies every week. I am very proud to be providing a range that is affordable, a great fit and appropriate for everyone,’ said Peter.
Throughout his 27 year career, Peter has been at the helm of two incredibly successful labels including 14 years at Morrissey Edmiston with former business partner, Leona Edmiston, and as creative ambassador for Morrissey until 2009.
Style Palace’s Founder and Director, Darlene Gianoli, was a big fan of Morrissey Edmiston during the 1990’s and Peter has dressed some of the world’s biggest stars including Elle McPherson, Nicole Kidman, Helena Christensen, Jerry Hall, Megan Gale and Kylie Minogue. But it now appears Peter is gaining the most satisfaction from bringing fashion to the masses.
‘Fashion should enhance your life. It’s the suit you wear to a job interview, the dress you wear to the races and I never think of fashion in terms of trends, I think of it in terms of occasions.’
Peter has been quoted as saying, ‘if you have to economise, don’t compromise’ and his highly anticipated return to Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival will highlight designer fashion doesn’t always need to come with a hefty price tag.
Suits in the ‘Man’ collection are priced from as little as $135 and it is highly likely you will see a couple of Peter’s favourite pieces from the new ‘Woman’ collection make an appearance on the catwalk.
‘I love the Sequin Blazer and the Venus Wrap Dress,’ said Peter. ‘Nothing competes and it can all be worn together. You can wear the denim shorts with the blazer and the little white tank.’
Peter also has some timeless styling advice for Style Palace customers.
‘Don’t follow trends, follow beauty. If you are looking at a magazine, don’t ask yourself, can I look like that? Ask yourself, do I want to look like that? Find what suits you.’ ‘Health is also a very important accessory. If you are fit and healthy, you can make any outfit look good.’
Unlike Style Palace customers, Peter‘s online shopping experiences are usually limited to wine and the occasional piece of art but he applauded Style Palace for being strong supporters of Australian fashion.
‘Just because something comes from overseas, it doesn’t make it bigger or better and I often have this discussion when I see an international designer on the front cover of an Australian fashion magazine.’
‘Australian fashion is distinctive because we design for our climate and our lifestyle and that is what gets recognised internationally. I often design for the Bondi girl.’
Peter has also designed for a number of high profile corporations including designing the corporate uniforms for one of Australia’s most recognised brands, QANTAS.
‘The uniforms are designed to tell a story,’ said Peter and are instantly recognised by millions of people around the world every day. Peter’s international profile will continue to grow when his ready-to-wear collections are launched in the US later this year.
‘It was never the intention to target the US market, but more of a natural progression in the evolution of the brand’, said Peter. Regardless, it is yet another exciting development in the colourful career of one of Australia’s most celebrated fashion designers.
The new ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ summer collection for Big W by Peter Morrissey will be showcased at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 at 12.30pm (AEST). Tickets available from Ticketek.
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