Lee Mathews’ Australian Fashion Week show didn’t just mark an incredible milestone but also served as a time to reflect on the past 25 years building her eponymous brand.
“The design process did feel different this season, it naturally came with a sense of reflection,” Mathews tells marie claire Australia. “Reaching 25 years gave us the space to pause and look back at the pieces that have shaped us.”
The collection, which Mathews dubs “a conversation between past and present” called for “revisiting our archive, pulling things apart and reassembling them to create something new.”
This harmony between old and new saw the designer play with texture and pattern while still drawing on signature silhouettes that have come to define the brand.
The inspiration for the AFW runway show came from the “idea of a ballet rehearsal” evident in the delicate and feminine touches of embroidery, sheer draping, bows and frills.
“I’ve always loved Pina Bausch and the way she approached choreography, it got me thinking about the way dancers layer during rehearsals: sheer tights, skin tones, soft textures. There’s something really beautiful about that balance between strength and softness.”
While it’s natural to look back on the 25-year journey, Mathews also has her sights planted firmly on the future and what lays ahead for the brand.
“For us, it’s about thinking globally while staying true to who we are, growing in our own way, with independence and integrity.”
The Lee Mathews Resort show at Australian Fashion Week was supported by RATIONALE, Delta Global and Kevin Murphy.
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