Chicago Chic
Australia with a Chicago Edge
By Christine Smith

At first glance, Chicago and both Melbourne and Sydney, Australia may not seem similar.  Living in Chicago and recently returning from a trip to Australia, I was pleasantly surprised.  In addition to the appropriately significant amount of black that prospers chic-ness, Australia and Chicago also share an under-rated status of fashion cities throughout the world.

While London, Paris, Milan and New York showcase the most successful designers work in the fashion-world, Australia and Chicago are quickly becoming well known for inspiring fashion legends. With a Millennium Park show in October featuring budding Chicago Fashion Designers, and Melbourne Spring Fashion Week just ending September 6th, both cities are set to further establish their name among the fashion-world. After all, constant undervalued status only promotes success.  

Below are a few of the designers that hang heavy with rich originality and inspiration.  Each are uniquely Australian, but also possess a Chicago edge: a varied combination that provides wearability and functionality, a truly Americana necessity.

Collette Dinnigan began work designing after attending Wellington Polytechnic in New Zealand.  She shortly after moved to Australia to begin working for the Costume Department of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in Sydney. Her natural talent resulted in multiple awards including Australian Designer of the Year award, Louis Vuitton Business Award and Award for Excellence, and she’s dressed top celebrities such as Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, and Elle Macpherson. In 2005 Dinnigan had the honor of presenting her Spring/Summer 2006 collection at Le Carrousel Du Louvre in Paris.  

Her Autumn/Winter 2009 collection infuses feminine beadwork and details with rich and masculine fabrics to create a perfect balance of appropriate winter wear that can so often be elusive in cold months.  Pair with a luxurious camel coat for worldly chic.

The beautiful Aurelio Costarella collection is the sole creative work of Ray Costarella, a Western Australian whose talents have been showcased on a long list of celebrities that include Rihanna, Sharon Stone, and Eva Mendes. His 2000 launched lines have included both ready-to-wear and couture. An extremely dynamic designer, his designs have married his love of construction with urban style and feminine details. 

While Costarella has always had a knack for embellishment, his latest collection showcases this ability unlike any of his other work. He has mastered his method of mixing borderline kitschy details with ultimate elegance.  This creates beautiful garments with enduring appeal. His incomparable work is thoughtful, classy, and original; all qualities that belong to some of the greatest fashion pioneers.

Lisa Ho, an Australian designing genius, is set on transforming traditional colors and inclination of seasonal wear to become a world-class designer who captures the essence of elegance.  Ho combines this elegance with a chic and languid understanding that is destined for legend.  Her Spring/Summer 2009 collection is everything we desire to be wearing in six months. With a hint of a Diane Von Furstenberg eclectic mix, Ho manages to create the perfect merger of straight lined basics with dramatic flare and deconstructed outerwear.

With a fashion industry history of almost 25 years, Ho is not set on slowing down.  She began her career in Sydney market where she quickly became a local retail favorite. She now owns over 250 local and international boutiques and has dressed celebrities that include Elle Macpherson, Ciara, and Tyra Banks.  She is said to travel internationally to intentionally watch the way people live and work in their own culture and adapt to life. Keep it coming Lisa Ho. 

Australian lines such as East of India, Sussan, and Country Road have amazingly affordable meets quality pieces, with just enough style in construction and details to lend any wardrobe hints of Australian meets Chicago influence.  While this fashion is not available for purchase in the United States (yet) we can always appreciate the fine style, workmanship, and quality of such lines.

Click here to read more about Christine Smith, Chicago Chic's fashion writer.