Bespoke Feature

Fall For Maticevski’s Elevated Eveningwear

A master of A-list dressing, Australian designer TONI MATICEVSKI is stealing the spotlight this season with his signature brand of head-turning glamour

Fashion

To call Toni Maticevski a designer somewhat underplays the role he has in creating his brand’s signature silhouettes. As hands-on as they come, the creative director drapes, cuts and stitches every piece in the impactful Maticevski collections. Describing his collections as “art to wear”, a quick browse through the designs illustrates exactly why Maticevski is beloved by A-listers and royalty (fans include Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra and Queen Mary of Denmark). The cleverly cut dresses and statement separates feature architectural silhouettes, while sculptural details blur the lines between art and fashion. In short, the brand’s elevated separates are impeccably cut to suit any style and every occasion – plus, when it comes to the red carpet, it really delivers on show-stopping glamour.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Maticevski studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, then cut his teeth with the likes of Donna Karan, before launching his eponymous brand in 1999. From the beginning, his signature draping techniques have defined the aesthetic, garnering the house legions of loyal fans who adore its eveningwear.

To Maticevski, cloth is sculpture, and the person wearing the cloth is central to the process; pieces are designed to be looked at, but they’re also designed to be moved in, too. Testament to this finesse are the costumes the brand designed for the Australian Ballet and acclaimed Australian choreographer Phillip Adams. Alongside art, the designer cites music and film as inspirations – cultural reference points that play out in fluidity, movement and, of course, impact.

The house has once again bucked trends, choosing to be led by a mood and delivering classic pieces that transcend seasons

For 2024, Maticevski remains true to form. In his latest collection notes, the creative director commented that the person he designs for always ‘strives to make a statement’, and the resulting pieces certainly answer the brief. Named ‘A Higher Effortless Ease’, it showcases all the spectacle we expect from the Australian designer, with lightweight fabrics and careful finishing offering a pleasing interplay between the referenced ease and the brand’s signature drama.

The house has once again bucked trends, too, choosing to be led by a mood and delivering classic pieces that transcend seasons. See the ‘Orbital’ gown, cast in silver micro sequin fabric. The long-sleeved maxi length silhouette features a flowing train and folded asymmetrical drape at the neck – a style that feels both relevant and timeless. Meanwhile, the ‘Exhilarate’ gown, also in silver micro sequin, skims the body to fuse old Hollywood glamour with a futuristic touch, and demonstrates exactly why the brand is a red-carpet go-to.

Elsewhere, the high-drama ‘Arresting’ dress sculpts and drapes, creating a perfectly judged, timeless LBD. Here, too, is the ‘ease’ referenced in collection notes: tucked within this exquisite dress are full pockets – the sort of simple, unexpected, yet brilliantly practical detail that sees Maticevski fans return season after season, year after year.

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