Alice McCall is an Australian fashion designer. She is the founder of her eponymous fashion label, launched in 2004, that designs women's party dresses, playsuits, and separates. McCall pieces regularly appear in various Australian and international magazines, such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
Career
Beginnings
After moving from Sydney to London, McCall worked for MTV London styling the Stylissimo series and its presenters. She later went freelance as a stylist.
McCall began making one-off luxury silk tops and 1950s style customised dresses which were sold through London boutiques and bought by model Kate Moss and stylist Katie England.
She designed her first collection after being approached by high-end streetwear brand Buddhist Punk to design their 2002 spring/summer women’s collection.
McCall returned to Sydney in 2002, designing for Sass & bide for a couple of years before launching her own label.
Fashion label
The Alice McCall brand was launched at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in 2004. In 2009, the brand began building an online customer base with the introduction of its online e-boutique.
In 2010, Alice McCall opened its first boutique in Sydney's Paddington. In 2016, the brand opened a boutique in the Chinese city of Dalian after McCall made a franchise deal with a local partner. At its peak, the company had 15 stores and as of September 2019, her products were stocked in 171 stores in 36 countries.
McCall has collaborated with various retailers, designing diffusion lines for Target, Topshop and General Pants Co. She has also collaborated with artists Eugina Loli, Alice Babich, and Damon Downey to create standout, unique prints, runway shows, and one off installations.
The company went into voluntary administration in November 2020 due to a decline in revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the costs of running its physical stores. Despite attempts to restructure its debt and reduce its store footprint, the company went into liquidation in February 2023.
Personal life
Alice McCall's former long-time partner was fashion designer and Buddhist Punk founder Nicholas Morley. McCall and Morley have two daughters.
References
- ^ Hoyer, Melissa (25 September 2019). "Through the Keyhole: Rare glimpse inside Alice McCall's Bronte world". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "Designer Profile: Alice McCall". au.finance.yahoo.com. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Alice McCall". Vogue Australia. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Elphick, Nicole (11 November 2014). "My secret Sydney: Alice McCall". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Singer, Melissa (8 November 2020). "Alice McCall appoints administrator as label falls victim to COVID-19". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- Traill-Nash, Glynis (14 November 2015). "Designer Alice McCall takes fashion to the Chinese masses". The Australian. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- Singer, Melissa (22 May 2021). "'We went from doggy paddling to drowning': Alice McCall's fall and rise". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- Anderson, Anthony (17 February 2023). "Prestige Australian fashion label goes into liquidation, sales abound". News.com.au. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- "Nicholas Morley". Vogue Australia. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2023.