It’s official, LMFF is proud to announce this year’s National Designer Award finalists. The 2012 LMFF National Designer Award supported bynew festival partners Tiffany & Co. and The Weekend Australian Magazine celebrates designers within their first five years of business, who excel in creative design, fashion innovation, quality manufacturing and unique style. The finalists have been selected to personally present their work to our judging panel who will have the tough job of picking a winner.
And the finalists are…
ABOVE
Previously known as All of the Above, Melbourne Designers Nyssa Marrow & Kerry Findow have taken their in-house store label for their shop and made it into the reincarnated ‘above.’ The label concentrates on pieces that can be worn over and over again. Classic, wearable shapes that have the foundations of a well cut pattern, the collections always center around the basic wardrobe but are re-imagined from a structural point of view. www.abovelabel.com.
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Sydney born & raised, Christopher Esber made his debut in 2010. Known for his interest in fabrics and methodical approach to design, Esber’s strengths evidently lie in his ability to refine his vision, while still allowing each piece a point of difference. His love of paired back minimal design and superb tailoring is continued through his ranges. www.christopheresber.com.au.
LUI HON
Born in Malaysia, Lui Hon graduated with Honors in Fashion Design from RMIT University. Believing that fashion should be timeless and functional, his first label was the collaborative ‘Von’, where he put his theory into practice. His structurally strong, technically faultless and texturally intriguing designs led to Lui being a popular contestant on Project Runway. www.luihon.con.au.
MAGDALENA VELEVSKA
Macedonian-born, Sydney-raised Magdalena studied Fashion and Textiles at the esteemed University of Technology Sydney in 1998, undertaking classes in textile, industrial, visual and interior design, which all contributed to the functional, clean and structural aesthetic she has become synonymous for today. www.magdalenavelevska.com.
MICHAEL LO SORDO
Sydney Designer Michael Lo Sordo has undergone a lyrical growth both aesthetically and literally since he launched. Soft draping, lucid tailoring and distinguishing digital prints have all become signatures of the label. The foundations of this style are based on the famous words ‘less is more.” Michael’s ability to un-complicate the female form through simplistic linear direction has seen his signature aesthetic graduate from strength to strength. www.michaellosordo.com.
The winner to be announced at an invitation only event during LMFF on March 9.
L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival runs from 8-15 March 2012. Tickets are available through Ticketek or online at lmff.com.au.
