Designer DETAIL - Illionaire
With parasilk dinner suits “fit for the surf” and an emphasis on the waist for the sexy, 70’s inspired female range, the trio from Illionaire are riding high.
View more from the collection here >>
Two creative talents, both from the most isolated city in the world, Ben Woodcock and Kate Grace have collaborated with graphic designer Matt B for their label Illionaire. Just a few years down the track since launch, and into the 4th collection for the label, something wonderful has happened. Their debut at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week saw their Spring/Summer 2008/09 Collections much acclaimed. Could this be the start of something big? We reckon so.
Introducing Ben Woodcock, Men’s Designer. Having made the leap from Industrial Design to Fashion has been a smart move. His obvious fondness for Australian beach culture and the inspirational beauty of our natural environment have found a freer form of expression in fashion.
Meet Kate Grace, long time friend of Ben, and Women’s Designer. This self admitted car boot sale fanatic, saw her love of vintage fashion and photography climb to obsession heights. There were more than a few synthetic horrors collected over the years, but with the encouragement of friends who could see her talent for creating beauty, a move into design seem destined.
Meet Matty B, graphic designer. Having cut his talent working both in print and for General Pants, meeting Ben last year lead to his collaboration, seeing Matty’s crazy graphics radiate heat for the current Illionaire collection.
The Spring/Summer 2008/09 collection sees Illionaire showcase their fashion eccentricity. Irreverence and a sense of humour is centre stage. Ben Woodcock braved paring beach fashion with formal style (something that could have looked tragic 80’s blue light disco) but looked fresh and clean, and iconic of Australia.
Kate Grace blurred the lined between day and night. The 70’s inspired range catered for the totality of wardrobe needs. From leather shorts and jackets to bikinis, the collection has seen Kate land what she admits is one of the best perks of the job - a fabulous wardrobe of desirable pieces. Highlights must include sexy party frocks and high waisted bathers.
We asked Ben Woodcock a few questions on the current collection and where Illionaire channel their inspirations from.
What do you tend to keep in mind when you are designing?
The environment that you are focusing on…. Keeping a common theme so it all ties together in the end… oh, and making sure you love everything you design.
What’s one of the Perks of Designer’s Life
Travel! I just got back from Tokyo and I am currently answering these questions in Bali.
Who is a designer that constantly inspires you?
Ahh it’s so cliché! But I would have to say Karl Lagerfield, he is timeless.
Asked about inspiration for the current range, Ben continues...
“…most certainly our environment and most importantly the ocean in which we dwell and of which has become iconic in the Australian way of life. This collection has a lot of natural hues of this element such as the pinks of the sky, the washed out blue of the ocean and the creams and gold’s of the earth.
Pieces involved in the range to demonstrate our theories are the Para silk dinner suits and a more dressy approach than seen previously to give this formal meets casual Australian look
In a nutshell, synthetic quick dry dinner outfits to go for a surf in”.
Where can Missy readers buy it? Selected boutiques nationwide. Stockist enquiries (02) 93194599
