“People are more aware,they want something locally made,great quality,ethically sourced,fabrics to be organic and all of that but are they willing to make that jump with the price point? The answer is sometimes no,sadly,” says Carlucci.
But,says Strateas,the team isn’t getting too down about the shrinking state of local manufacturing,which had a temporaryrevival during the pandemic. “We’ve always looked at the limitations we have[of being Australian made] and find the positives in it,” he says. “Sometimes it’s influenced the way we have designed.”
Strateas and Carlucci launched their luxury streetwear label in 2013 to immediate acclaim,earning them some of the nation’s top emerging design prizes and the honour of being the first Australian label to show at Paris Men’s Fashion Week,back in 2015.
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If their first decade in business was about conquering the international market,then their second,buttressed by the impact of the pandemic,is about building their customer base here before once again showing in Europe.
But in a tightened economy,they realise not everyone has $1000,or more,to blow on a jacket. Taking a leaf from designers they admire,such as French contemporary luxury brand Jacquemus (founded by Simon Porte Jacquemus),they’re expanding their accessories,jewellery and kids’ ranges. The new offering will be part of a solo show at Melbourne Fashion Week on Thursday.
“[Jacquemus is] disruptive,but he’s also become a household name – that’s where we wanted to be,” Carlucci says. “We still have plans to get to that level.”