Ben Smith is a young man who grew up in Bundaberg, Queensland, dreaming of being a successful fashion designer. Dreams do come true. Having stocked in Browns in London, presented collections at several Mercedes Australian Fashion Weeks and participated in the renowned Paris fashion fair, Prêt à Porter - among other achievements - Ben Smith is a rising star in Australian fashion design. Here he speaks to Di Cant.
Q: Ben lets go back to the beginning. After leaving school, what was your formal fashion design education?
A: After doing a year at Queensland University of Technology, studying a Bachelor of Business, I moved to Sydney to study a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Fashion and Textiles, which is a four-year honours degree.
Q: Australian Fashion Week was obviously a wonderful launching pad for you. How did you, as an unknown, get to be a star at that prestigious industry event?
A: In 2001, while in my final year of study at University of Technology Sydney, I was selected to be the school's representative designer in the Cotton Australia Student Collection show.
Q: Is it correct that Joan Bursten of Browns in London admired and ordered your first ever collection?
A: It was in the Cotton Australia student show that I came to the notice of Mrs B. she ended up purchasing styles from this collection. It was a great thrill to be picked up by such a prestigious store while still only a student! (Putting me in the same company as design greats John Galliano and Hussein Chalayan.)
Q: How many overseas stores do you now supply?
A: Currently, I am not stocking overseas. I have put my signature collection on hold to concentrate on my new Anon collection, which I am selling through innovative and intimate trunk show style presentations, where customers make appointments and are personally taken through the collection. I help them work through their wardrobe needs, styling looks to suit their lifestyle, figure and personality.
Q: Who is the Ben Smith customer?
A: The Ben Smith collection was a demi-couture collection with lots of made-to-measure and hand finishing. The woman here was strong and independent with a creative spirit; she was after unique pieces with a soulful quality.
Q: The Anon collection - how does that differ from the Ben Smith collection?
A: While the Anon collection shares many of the same characteristics as Ben Smith in terms of enquiry into cut and finish, it is a lot more accessible both in terms of style and price point. It is about simple, chic separates and dresses - takes on classics like the shirt dress and wrap dress - beautifully nuanced and detailed to flatter a woman's body and work with her life.
Q: Ben what inspires you most when designing a new collection? Is it the fabric? Is it about history, culture, music? Where do those ideas come from?
A: I am most inspired by the woman who wears the collection - someone who is self aware and self assured, a woman who is confident and independent. She chooses clothes that reflect who she is, her values and personality rather than choosing fashion that is a reflection of someone else's idea of what is "in".
Q: Do Bundaberg people still think of you as "odd" as you remarked recently to someone?
A: I am sure there are people in Bundaberg that think I am odd - I often think I am odd - but that is what makes me interesting as a designer. I think and question, I enquire into the why and how - why things are and how they can be different and better.
Q: What will be the key piece from the new Anon winter 08 collection?
A: We have a fabulous silk wrap dress that can be styled in different ways - as a dress, tunic and jacket.
Q: Where can we buy the Ben Smith Anon fashion collection?
A: The Anon collection can be bought through our exclusive trunk shows - visit the Anon women website to find dates and times to make an appointment. This is an excellent way to show the collection. I get to meet the women who wear my clothes and I also receive direct feedback on the collection and they get advice and styling from the designer! We are also in the process of building an online store.
Q: Who would you love to dress on the red carpet and why?
A: Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling, Julie Christie: women with integrity, grace and style.
Q: The dream goes on Ben - only now it is reality. Where to from here?
A: The plan is to further develop the trunk shows, incorporating more locations and building a solid national client base. I also want to continue to build on the collection and the designs and eventually launch it into the international market. There is also a plan for a new label in the next 12 months and eventually the relaunch of the Ben Smith collection.
For further information on the Anon collection and upcoming trunk shows please contact Ben Smith on 0408 690 134 or visit the Anon women website.
