Alemais wins Australia's National Designer Award
SYDNEY - Two-year-old Sydney label Alemais has won Australia's National Designer Award.
Announced at the Melbourne flagship of Australian department store David Jones on Wednesday, the Lesleigh Jermanus-designed brand has been awarded a record prize pool of AU$120,000, or $83,376 at current exchange, including 20,000 Australian dollars, or $13,896, a cash prize, marketing support and editorial opportunities. The brand also won the first People's Choice Award, which is decided by public vote.
Now in its 26th year, the National Designer Award – one of Australia's most prestigious fashion trophies – whose previous winners include Dion Lee, P.E. Nation and Toni Maticevski – has traditionally been revealed at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival in March. It was decided to delay the announcement this year to maximize publicity outside of the festival lineup, with only the finalists announced during the festival itself.
Related GalleriesJermanus, former chief designer at Zimmermann, founded Alemais in August 2020 in the context of COVID-19, with the aim of reusing fabrics that had been discontinued due to order cancellations. Her bohemian-print dresses and pieces are already selling at 170 retailers in 26 countries, including David Jones, Net-a-porter, Matchesfashion, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Moda Operandi.
Melbourne-based Joslin won honorable mention for sustainability, which came with a cash prize of A$10,000, or $6,948, and the opportunity for a mentorship with David Jones, who has been associated with the awards for the past six years. .
"The National Designer Award is a career-defining opportunity that has helped give some of Australia's top designers a boost on their journey to incredible success," said Yolanda Finch, Acting Chief Executive of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival. "While all of this year's finalists impressed the judges, Alemais stood out for his business acumen and growth potential."
This year's judging panel included Managing Director of Menswear, Kidswear and the Home of David Jones, Chris Wilson, and Managing Director of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories, Bridget Veals, as well as its sustainability manager, Eloise Bishop; former Melbourne Fashion Festival CEO Graeme Lewsey and editors of David Jones' Jones magazine and Harper's Bazaar Australia respectively Philippa Moroney and Jillian Davison.
SYDNEY - Two-year-old Sydney label Alemais has won Australia's National Designer Award.
Announced at the Melbourne flagship of Australian department store David Jones on Wednesday, the Lesleigh Jermanus-designed brand has been awarded a record prize pool of AU$120,000, or $83,376 at current exchange, including 20,000 Australian dollars, or $13,896, a cash prize, marketing support and editorial opportunities. The brand also won the first People's Choice Award, which is decided by public vote.
Now in its 26th year, the National Designer Award – one of Australia's most prestigious fashion trophies – whose previous winners include Dion Lee, P.E. Nation and Toni Maticevski – has traditionally been revealed at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival in March. It was decided to delay the announcement this year to maximize publicity outside of the festival lineup, with only the finalists announced during the festival itself.
Related GalleriesJermanus, former chief designer at Zimmermann, founded Alemais in August 2020 in the context of COVID-19, with the aim of reusing fabrics that had been discontinued due to order cancellations. Her bohemian-print dresses and pieces are already selling at 170 retailers in 26 countries, including David Jones, Net-a-porter, Matchesfashion, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Moda Operandi.
Melbourne-based Joslin won honorable mention for sustainability, which came with a cash prize of A$10,000, or $6,948, and the opportunity for a mentorship with David Jones, who has been associated with the awards for the past six years. .
"The National Designer Award is a career-defining opportunity that has helped give some of Australia's top designers a boost on their journey to incredible success," said Yolanda Finch, Acting Chief Executive of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival. "While all of this year's finalists impressed the judges, Alemais stood out for his business acumen and growth potential."
This year's judging panel included Managing Director of Menswear, Kidswear and the Home of David Jones, Chris Wilson, and Managing Director of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories, Bridget Veals, as well as its sustainability manager, Eloise Bishop; former Melbourne Fashion Festival CEO Graeme Lewsey and editors of David Jones' Jones magazine and Harper's Bazaar Australia respectively Philippa Moroney and Jillian Davison.
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