Check out the fabulous world of Alex Perry
What do Kim Kardashian, Elle Macpherson, Sandra Bullock and Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, all have in common?
They’ve all been dressed by Australian fashion icon Alex Perry.
From humble beginnings, growing up in an immigrant family in Sydney’s suburbs, Alex rose to prominence in the early ‘90s by injecting a new level of glamour into the fashion industry.
For the past 30 years, Alex has been hailed as one of Australia’s premier couturiers for his timeless designs, television appearances and worldwide fashion label.
At next month’s Chronicle Club event, were he will be the guest speaker, Alex will talk about his earliest style inspirations, the impact
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When I got into fashion, my father didn’t initially understand what that was exactly, so when I explained it was almost like a tailor, he thought that was respectable and said, ‘if that’s what you want to do’.” — ALEX PERRY
of the internet on the fashion industry and how he built his brand into a global powerhouse.
His signature gowns have been
worn by royalty, supermodels and A–list celebrities, but he grew up far from the bright lights of the catwalk or the flash of cameras on the red carpet.
“We were a working–class family; we weren’t exactly poor, but we weren’t rich either,” Alex said.
“Mum never had much time off, so on Saturdays we used to watch the midday movies together,” he added.
This is where Alex’s love for elegant fashion started, even if he wasn’t quite aware of it yet.
“I remember how perfect and glamorous the women looked in these timeless dresses, even though it was not relevant to my life at the time.
“When I started fashion design, it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted the dress to look perfect, and that drove me.”
Alex confessed he did not know what to do after leaving school, but could draw people quite well, so applied to any and every course that involved some drawing.
He was accepted into a fashion course and, on the third day, was taken into a room filled with sewing machines.
“I was the only guy in a room full of ladies and the only one who didn’t know how to sew.”
He didn’t quite enjoy the experience and thought of quitting.
“But, I was too scared to go home and tell my parents I wasn’t going to do it, so I thought to myself: if I’m going to do this, I’ll do it really well.”
He passed the course by the skin of his teeth, but wanted to show his parents he could do it.
“I knew I was going to have to make evening dresses for people, so I tried really hard and I became really good at it,” he said.
When he just started out as a fashion designer, Alex’s father did not really understand what that meant at first.
“When I explained it was almost like a tailor, he thought that was respectable and said, ‘if that’s what you want to do’,” he laughed.
Since then, Alex has dressed a long list of famous names but there is one dress that stands out for him.
He did a dress for Elle Macpherson about 25 years ago.
“It was a strapless black dress and I couldn’t believe what she looked like in it — it encapsulated my style — just a simple, amazing black dress.
“It’s still in my mind when I close my eyes and I’ve always tried to have that in my designs (if it’s beautiful now, it will be just as beautiful or better in 20 years’ time).”
The Alex Perry brand has expanded with stores in the UK, USA and Asia, as well as spreading into new territories.
Alex believes the key to the success of this business, is his evening gowns, as they’ve sold particularly well overseas.
“It comes down to attention to detail, design, and understanding your client,” he said.
Catch Alex on Friday, August 9, at an exclusive Chronicle Club event.
Contact The Chronicle’s advertising manager, Margaret Alexander, on 4690 9422 or by email at marg.alexander@thechronicle.com.au for more information.