Designer DETAIL - Moss & Spy
Moss & Spy dresses the woman unafraid to be noticed.
Sophisticated, glamorous, alluring and unique, the perennially delightful Moss & Spy label exists on that fine line between all that is soft and strong, feminine and masculine, for a woman that is sexy, sensual, independent and not afraid to be noticed.
Lia + George = Moss & Spy
With successful label Bang under her belt, as well as design stints with iconic Australian brands including Adele Palmer, Lia Tsimos set about designing Moss & Spy in 2004, teaming up with George Spyrou (the labels name is a combination of their surnames) on her return from two years in London working with high-street greats Top Shop, Oasis & River Island.
"My vision was to create a range that appealed to women with a strong sense of personal style, who wanted to stand out from the crowd in something other than mainstream brands targeted at a younger demographic," says Lia.
Struck with a yen for fashion design from a very early age, Lia began sketching designs she saw in magazines and movies, and was making her own clothes on her first sewing machine by age 11. Her bedroom typically covered in fabric, trims and old clothes her mother would give her to deconstruct and redesign. There was never any doubt in Lia's mind that she would pursue her dream of a career in fashion.
A la parisienne
A two-year Fashion design course in Melbourne honed Lia’s design talents, and a further year of study in Paris in Design and Draping polished them further.
She learnt from industry professionals, spending time in ateliers where she experienced first-hand the creative process ‘à la parisienne’.
While studying in Paris, Lia was strongly influenced by Europe’s great designers Chanel, Dior and Yves St Lauret, and she still looks to them for inspiration. The elusive and empowering balance of femininity, strength and power, that each of these designers achieved, is the element that Lia harnesses when she designs each range for Moss & Spy.
Home Sweet Home
Lia’s first design role on her return to Australia was with industry icon Adele Palmer, for which she was chosen from more than 80 applicants. Lia was, and still is, inspired by Adele’s talent and confident approach, as well as her quirky way of putting things together.
“After I started with Adele Palmer, she handed me an enlarged photocopy with a few simple words on it. She said it summed up what was important about fashion and I was to put it above my desk. It said “The thing about fashion is its oddity”. I’ve still got that piece of paper, and every day I’m reminded of the truth of those words. For me it means never settling for a predictable outcome.”
Pushing the Boundaries
20 years of designing, watching fashion evolve, and Australian women and designers becoming more adventurous, has taught Lia to never to be afraid of pushing the boundaries. She keeps a keen eye on the worlds of art, film and popular culture, applying movements in these spheres to impart a constant newness to the label, and deliver something that is edgy, utterly unique, and doesn’t subscribe to trends. Each collection evolves from inspiration drawn from books, magazines, fabrics and trims that Lia sources from all over the world.
The Jazz Age
Winter 2008 at Moss & Spy captures the essence of Jazz Age sophistication with the return of high waists, Art Deco themes, and la garconne silhouettes. The collection is inspired by charismatic 1920s screen siren Clara Bow – the quintessential ‘It’ girl who redefined 1920s femininity and encouraged a new generation of independent, strong, and seductive women.
In the spirit of les années folles, Lia has created a bold, sexy collection that plays with the masculine/feminine divide. Shapes are sharply elegant, with a stunning deco patterned silk sheath dress, precisely cut high waisted pant, tulip sleeves, and ultra feminine pussy bow silk and classic lace blouses forming a strong base to the collection. Printed jersey dresses feature voluminous soft hoods, while metallic prints and luxurious gold tweed and brocades lend texture and depth.
With an already dedicated following in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the Middle East, 2008 will see a new focus on sending Moss & Spy further a field - Lia’s sights are firmly set on the UK, Dubai and Europe.
More information on the label and stockist information is available at www.mossandspy.com.au, or click here to see more of the Winter 08 collection.
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