The late designer Carla Zampatti used to lament about Australian fashion’s brain drain. And to quote another great Australian, Bill Heslop in Muriel’s Wedding : “You can’t stop progress.” So, as the industry holds both of these truths concurrently, designer Christopher Esber received 300,000 euro ($483,000) as part of winning the ANDAM Fashion Award, making him arguably the most decorated Australian fashion designer of his era.
Christopher Esber has won the international ANDAM prize. Credit: Nathan Yamniak Known for his technical prowess with a cutout (sans wardrobe malfunctions), his designs are worn by women of all ages and stages, including celebrities Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez. The brand is stocked in more than 150 outlets globally, and European customers already account for about 40 per cent of sales.
Speaking of brain drain, Esber validated his decision to sit out this year’s Australian Fashion Week (he had been an early contender for the opening show, which ultimately went to Albus Lumen), to focus on launching swimwear and jewellery in time for the European summer. That decision appears to have been rewarded with Esber, 37, winning the 35th annual prize over labels 3.Paradis, Pièces Uniques and Maeden, all of which won minor prizes.
The award also includes mentoring from Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello. Esber, who founded his namesake label in 2010, is firmly Sydney-based. He was raised in the western suburbs and gradu.
)
