Designer DETAIL - Friedrich Gray
Seen as one of Australia's most exciting young fashion design talents, Ben Pollitt hit the ground running when he started designing his Friedrich Gray label just four seasons ago.
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Pollitt continues to wow fashion critics world wide with his unique brand of sophisticated, deconstructed fashion for men and women that is both innovative and wearable.
His signature style can be simply described, in a word, as grunge - albeit a little more glam this time around - and proves Pollitt most certainly has his finger on the pulse.
It's not hard to imagine uber-cool model and Ksubi muse Erin Wasson sexily sloping her way down a dim, damp and seedy laneway swathed in Pollitt's signature sombre - draped layers of textured, elegant and sometimes patchwork fabrics.
The label has attracted a frenzy of attention from media and buyers since it began and has seen the designer collect an impressive array of awards in a remarkable effort for such a young designer.
In March Pollitt was awarded the prestigious Vogue/Woolmark New Designer Award at the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, which followed his win of the QANTAS Spirit of Youth Award in November 2007. At Rosemount Australian Fashion Week this year, Friedrich Gray was selected by Vogue Australia Editor, Kirstie Clements, as the Australian Protege to take part in Woolmark's International Protege program.
In April this year Pollitt debuted the Friedrich Gray Spring Summer 2008/09 collection 'We Saw the Morning' in his first solo show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.
The collection mixes lightweight elegant fabrics such as wool jersey and silk, with washed and treated leathers to develop a new silhouette for both men and women. The strength of Pollitt's influences result in carefully thought out designs that meticulously reflect the need to fit and shape the body. His selection of fabrics that are dyed, washed, beaten and coated are combined to become a unique brand of Friedrich Gray perfection.
Each season seems to meld together almost seamlessly. Emphasising simplicity in both style and appearance, Pollitt continues to develop a range of specialty fabrics strongly focused on the soft touch and worn-in look.
The women's wear pieces use a super lightweight Japanese leather, while the men are treated to a more robust and worked leather. A lightweight Australian Merino wool jersey has been distressed; whilst a silk cotton has been individually hand dyed to give a unique colour and washed feel.
Pollitt also collaborated with Jo Nathan to develop a capsule range of hand knitted pieces all made with Australian Wool. Continuing a close working partnership with Woolmark, a unique digital wool print was developed with the assistance of Think Positive Prints. The prints used are a series of manipulated photographs of leather draping.
In another exciting step forward, the Friedrich Gray 'We Saw the Morning' Spring Summer 08/09 collection will be stocked for the first time internationally at Cara and Co (Russia) and CK Tangs (Malaysia and Singapore).
Currently stocked around Australia in reputable boutiques, Friedrich Gray's story continues in Fat 4 and Alice Euphemia in Victoria, The Corner Shop, Incu and Capital L in New South Wales and Dirtbox, Bessie Head and Fallow in Queensland.
Visit www.friedrichgray.com
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