Toni Maticevski Spring 2003
Toni Maticevski Spring 2003

SYDNEY, May 8, 2002/— Australia’s new revelation is Toni Maticevski, whose comparatively low-key presentation followed Nevada’s high-energy happening.

The Melbourne-based designer of Macedonian descent honed his skills during the late nineties working for Donna Karan in New York and Cerruti in Paris before returning down under to launch his signature line.

Maticevski’s controlled, powerful collection capitalized on the designer’s impressive way with light, fluid silhouettes.

A multihued silk chiffon sunray mini-dress revealed Maticevski’s keen understanding of pleating; a frothy organza cloud of black, mercilessly cropped at the thigh, brought to mind the architectural whims of Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Sheer, paneled evening gowns-some of which were toughened up with leather insets-were imposing but never overwhelming.

For the time being, Maticevski only sells his designs in Australia, but after this auspicious collection, that’s bound to change.