Saint Augustine Academy
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I breathed a sigh of relief when I first discovered menswear label, Saint Augustine Academy. Since its inception in 2002, the Sydney-based team have risen to cult-status amongst individuals with a keen eye for sophistication and intelligent design. Playing on the lifestyle of a modern rock and roll star, the designers at Saint Augustine Academy are heavily inspired by the rock nouveau ethos that surrounded bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain. Designers Alvin Manalo and Adrian Amores met in the mid-90s whilst studying economics at Macquarie University (not exactly feeling destined for fashion design). As chief designer, Alvin had no fashion design skills before beginning the label, but has since created consistently contemporary and sought-after designs each season.
Abstracted tees with off -centered cuts, tailored tuxedo jackets and skinny denim are key staples of the Academy’s aesthetic. Saint Augustine Academy focuses upon an underlying elegance with a strong emphasis on sharp cuts and unexpected prints. The limited colour palette that the label uses insists upon maintaining the rock star lifestyle in darker, night-life tones. The latest collection to come from the Academy is Psycho Candy 08/09. All I can say, is boys beware; this could change your outlook on fashion, in a very good way.
Tagged: Australian fashion, street wear, Sydney fashion labels
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