Skyrocketing style

Greek-Italian duo Strateas.Carlucci of Melbourne is seen as one of the most promising fashion labels worldwide


Greek dynamism and Italian eclecticism came across each other in the face and talent of the young, aspiring designers Peter Strateas and Mario Luca Carlucci. In only two years of hard and original work, they have been featured in almost every high-profile international magazine title, setting their minimal, geometry adorning collections on the top of every fashion lover’s wish-list.

Strateas.Carlucci set the fashion world on fire when they released their Spring Summer collection Pyrite, fuelling the inspirational designs that named them winners of the Australian division of the International Woolmark Prize for both menswear and womenswear simultaneously. The Melbourne-based duo also won the Tiffany & Co. National Designer Award for excellence in design and quality as well as their out-of-the-box thinking.

The highly-acclaimed minimalists have an amazing ability to turn woven Australian Merino wool into pieces of art. This was evident in their representation of Australia at the womenswear final of the International Woolmark Prize in Beijing, which took place in March 2015. Returning to Melbourne, they presented a solo show at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, following another sensational catwalk presentation for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia where they presented their trans-seasonal collection, T R A N S P L A N T at Carriageworks, The Theatre a few days ago.

Strateas.Carlucci was once again praised by fashion’s eclectics for its opulent aesthetic and constantly evolving constructive techniques.

The label’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection, titled INDIGITAL, drew inspiration from the late Australian indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

“Her style was best described as ‘gestural abstractionism’ through her use of her fluid and unrestrained brush strokes, heavy applications and textured works. We were drawn to this idea of tradition versus contemporary,” Peter Strateas explains.

“This led us to the exploration of further binary oppositions. We explored this idea in fabric; silhouette and the way the two ideas work together.

“Expect colour and pattern in this collection, which is a new direction for the label.”

The duo does not hold back when it comes to trying new things, as inspiration seems to always knock on their door.

“Through our day-to-day life and travels, from an article we have read, from a lyric of a song, to a mood we may be feeling,” Mario Luca says.

“In hindsight, our collections have become a visual journey of our life, conjuring moments, moods and events from that particular time in our lives.

“This has happened unintentionally and organically, proving that the real driving force behind our inspirations each season hides in the happenings of our daily life and our surroundings.”

Peter and Mario Luca have come a long way together, as before emerging as Australia’s fashion sensation they were school friends.

“As we have grown, so has our process. There is no real start and finish anymore, as the work and the collections seem to have a definite continuity between them,” says Peter Strateas.

“There is, however, always that one moment of clarity with the collection – whether it be a concept, a detail, a fabric, et cetera – that brings it altogether and where it all just makes sense.

“I guess that clarity could be the defining moment of a collection – the climax where it’s the beginning and the end in one instance,” he adds.

Both designers share responsibilities and decision making, but have managed to create a roster of duties that keeps even the minor details concerning their brand covered.

“We both do everything, unfortunately. Too many jobs and not enough hands – but never at the same time,” Mario Luca Carlucci explains.

“The only one process we share is the creative.”

Their mutual adoration for wool and leather is built-up and sculptured respectively in Stateas.Carlucci’s designs, showcasing the label’s mature and at the same time innovative ethos.

“You will always find me in a shirt, even when working in the studio,” Peter Strateas says, highlighting his preference for languid yet crisp and minimal clothes.

“Comfort is paramount, as we can be found working most of the time,” says Mario-Luca Carlucci, who usually falls for basic and relaxed outfits.

They showcase their designs in a minimal, spacious and full of light showroom, decorated with custom-made furniture that suits their aesthetic and does not clash with their diversifying collections. Adjacent to it is their chaotic but bursting with inspiration work-space, filled with mannequins, fabric rolls, sketches, patterns and sewing machines and music. Lots of music.

“Music is an integral part of our day and the way we work, and changes depending on our mood,” Peter Strateas says, confessing they have even compiled work playlists based off their mood.

Nick Cave, The National, Radiohead, Massive Attack, amongst other outfits and artists, are endless sources of inspiration. As is Yohji Yamamoto, the influential Japanese fashion designer they both appreciate for his decadent style, and the house of Maison Martin Margiela with its counter-culture fusions.
As they have stated many times in the past, they are driven by a desire “to extend past the borders of fashion, to stay true to who we are, and above all to create quality products that serve a purpose.”

* Their creative roll will be concluding with a presentation of their men’s and women’s collections, scheduled for Paris Fashion Week in late 2015.

To find out more visit www.strateascarlucci.com
and www.facebook.com/StrateasCarlucci?fref=ts