Alicia Hollen

It takes a lot to cut it in the fashion industry, but Australian designer Alicia Hollen has not only run a successful clothing business from Sydney’s boutique shopping capital Paddington for the past 19 years, she also makes hand-cut, limited run, high-end women’s fashion an accessible luxury.

Though her designs have become popular in France, Alicia’s inspirations are derived a little closer to home. “I’ve always been told I have a strong personality. My ideas are inspired from within me, which is why the designs are distinct.” , says Alicia. The results are enduringly stylish, sexy and seem to possess that magical ability to flatter every shape and body type.

Focusing on the evening and cocktail end of the fashion spectrum, her pieces feature bold colour palettes, graphic elements and luxurious fabrics. Not to be confined to the darker hours however, they can also be mixed into daytime and office ensembles for times when a woman requires a bit of an edge.

“It’s not so much about fashion as it is about style.”, says Alicia. Not to be dictated by mainstream fashion, each piece makes a statement about the wearer and lasts long beyond the fleeting trends of the day.