Paul Hunt at the 2008 Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival.
Popular couture and wedding gown designer, Paul Hunt, has extended his talent for designing stunning dresses to styling a sophisticated fit-out for his New Farm store. During our designer chat, he served me an elegant high tea in his beautiful store which has the feel of a French living room from last century – here’s a young man with a superb sense of style and award winning flair for gown design. See the Paul Hunt image gallery.
Q: What’s new with Paul Hunt this year? A: The big huge flowers - the rose. This season I am so inspired by floral art noveau - this is my prettiest girlie collection of all. There is a big market for wedding gowns and special occasion gowns. You know, there are so many larger events, red carpet and private events.
My tips for Melbourne Cup Race day are the 1950's silhouette, day dress around the knee with a floral print or accessorise with a big flower exclusive to Paul Hunt from "Bespoke by Sasha" flowers.
Q: When can ladies find your ready-to-wear clothes on the racks at your Arthur Street boutique? A: There will be a monthly delivery of new dresses - mainly day frocks - not as delicate as the made to order of course. Great little frocks in the $400 to $500 price range.
Q: The couture, which had us all standing and applauding at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival recently, how often does this happen? A: There will be one brand new couture piece every two months - plus of course all the couture pieces which are being created for clients.
Q: Paul, your fabrics are exquisite - so special. A: Thanks, yes I go to New York in February and select beautiful pieces for my couture - mainly silk.
Q: Does travel inspire you and do you buy fabrics when you’re overseas? A: Yes it is so important. I buy my fabrics overseas. It is inspirational to be in a different environment and when I go to New York and Paris I get to see the best the world has to offer in fashion. I base my new collection on all of the above.
Q: You have become famous for your beautiful gowns – what inspires you to create these gowns? A: It starts with the fabric – through to the look of something – maybe in a particular movie. I have a good knowledge of fashion history and sometimes I will just see something current and I recognise a certain period, go research and come up with something special.
Q: Do you make a range of ready-to-wear dresses for a client to walk in, try on and buy? A: Yes, I have since Summer 07. More short dresses perfect for luncheons and dinners.
Q: What, in a perfect world, is your dream dress and who is it for? A: An OSCAR dress, on Cate Blanchett.
Q: What is your favourite holiday destination, and why? A: For a private holiday, Cassis in the south of France, and for work, it’s New York.
Q: What is your personal extravagance in clothes/accessories? A: Shoes and glasses. I got these tortoiseshell glasses by LA Eyeworks at OPTICO in Tattersalls Arcade and there are my YSL leopard pony skin shoes I got in Florence.
Q: Your style tip for women and your style tip for men? A: For women – Put in some effort. Don’t leave the house without at least a touch of lip gloss. For men – Good personal grooming. The outfit may be cheap but everyone needs to put in a bit of effort. Think about where you are going. You never know whom you are going to meet.
You’ll find Paul Hunt’s fashion at his Brisbane store, which is both design studio and retail boutique, at 164a Arthur Street, off James Street, New Farm Brisbane. Phone 3358 4765.
