Daily Front Row

2012 January 27

G'Deed

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Fernando Frisoni, Magdalena Velevska, Kim Ellery, Michael Lo Sordo, Christopher Esber
Billy Farrell Agency View Gallery

While Australia Day ('Straya Day!) was carrying on in the land of Oz, New Yorkers celebrated in their own way at a cocktail party and small presentation at The Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo. The Woolmark Company and Australians In New York Fashion presented 'The Australian Five,' five talented designers from you know where who work in innovative ways with the finest Australian Merino Wool. The designers flown to New York for the occasion are (remember these names!) Christopher Esber, Kim Ellery, Fernando Frisoni, Magdalena Velevska, and Michael Lo Sordo. (Check out our Gallery to peruse their talent.) We consulted Calvin Klein's Malcolm Carfrae (one of fashion's great Aussies) to find out more about these five designers and why continent to continent love is so important to him. 

Love that Olivia Newton John is playing right now.

It's my playlist! 

Why are these events supporting Aussies so important to you? 

I set up the 'Australians in New York Fashion Foundation' three years ago. The idea was to connect with other Australians in the fashion industry, bring young Australian fashion graduates to New York, and give them much needed work internships at fashion brands. Then the Woolmark Company contacted me about a project bringing five young, but still established, designers to New York to meet retailers and fashion press, and get a foot hold into the industry. I immediately jumped because I thought this was a great change to go to the next level with our foundation. When I met the five designers, I was blown away by their determination and enthusiasm about being in New York. It made me proud to be Australian, because they represent what Australia is all about: being enthusiastic, positive and brilliant at what you do. 

Why these five designers?

We worked together to try to find the five designers who best represented what is interesting and contemporary about Australian fashion now. It's also important they used wool and other natural fibers; wool is one of Australia's biggest industries.

They all seem very excited to be here.

They are! Some of them have never been to New York before, so they've been asking me which restaurants, shops, and clubs they should go to. I feel like I'm seeing New York through their eyes. They're amazing!

How time-consuming is this organization for you? 

It's taken up a lot of my time, but I get a lot of satisfaction helping young designers. I feel I've been really lucky with my industry success. At this point in my life, I want to help young Australians go to the next level. Australia is so far away, and it's hard to make international connections with people. Helping them get to the next level is very gratifying.