By Jenna Black
Want the low down on the Hussy show at RAFW? We chatted to founder Marie Hatzis-Ritchie and pried for some pre-show hints!
Background and History
Hussy is a label that fuses a sexy modern aesthetic with wearable cuts. Marie Hatzis-Ritchie, the designer behind the name, has taken over the Australian market for women’s glamour wear. Marie started the Hussy label in 1995 at age 21, and from such humble beginnings we have seen it grow into a respected and sought after label across the globe.
The Hussy look is well known amongst the fashion pack, for its ultra femme detail and flirtatious wearable cuts. Hussy use the finest fabrics fused with current trends to produce 5 collections a year that are highly sought after by their loyal following. Hussy takes you from day to night, with sleek trousers and tops to playful party dresses. Hussy will be showing at RAFW on Friday 7th May 2010.
RESCU: Who do you envision the Hussy woman to be?
Marie Hatzis- Ritchie: “The Hussy woman is self assured, alluring and relentlessly eye-catching, with an innate flair for effortless glamour. She may be a sassy young thing, new to the Hussy label – or she could may have grown up and matured along with Hussy over the last 15 years.”
RESCU: Your current collection The Killing Moon features current trends like cut out detail and metal embellishment. Can you tell us what trends have inspired your collection for RAFW?
Marie Hatzis- Ritchie: “Naturally our Spring Summer collection is being held tightly under wraps until we preview it at RAFW next week! But I can tell you that the collection is called “Metamorphosis” and will reference evolution and nature in all its beauty. As always with Hussy’s spring/summer collections, expect stunning colours, exquisite detailing and a myriad of graceful silhouettes.”
RESCU: Can you give us any hints towards the make up and hair styles for your runway show at RAFW?
Marie Hatzis- Ritchie: “I have a very specific concept in mind for this but I’m afraid I don’t want to give ANYTHING away!! We have Ardino Hair for Redken doing hair for the show and Laura Mercier doing makeup. Expect it to be AWESOME but that’s all I can say for now!”
RESCU: You’ve been a designer for 15 years and share an anniversary with Fashion Week. What’s changed in the Aussie fashion scene over this time and what inspires you to keep at it in this cut throat business?
Marie Hatzis- Ritchie: “When I started the Hussy label I was just 21 and completely naive to the way the business worked. All I knew was that I loved designing and making clothes and my friends seemed to like my creations – so off I went. I had $2,000 in my pocket and started designing from my parents’ garage! Obviously we’ve come a long way since then and Australian fashion has evolved in leaps and bounds. We have some of the best designers in the world and Australian fashion has definitely earned its stripes in terms of our cred on the international scene.
Obviously as the Hussy business has grown, a HUGE amount has changed. We have 6 flagship retail stores in Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and also in Seminyak Bali. We wholesale to stockists around the country and around the world. We’ve had celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Pink strutting around in their Hussy ensembles. I suppose watching these successes unfold is what inspires me to keep going.”
RESCU: How do you juggle a young family, growing business empire and personal time?
Marie Hatzis-Ritchie: “With a newborn daughter and a son under two, you can imagine it’s been a pretty busy time!! Learning to manage business with family is definitely a skill. The main reason I’ve been able to juggle the two is because of the incredible Hussy team that supports me. My sister Beba has worked with me in the business for around 10 years, and we have an incredible team of staff both at head office and in our retail stores. I think it takes a lot of discipline – the same kind of discipline it took to build a business is required to ensure that you take time out for yourself, for your partner and of course for your kids.”
See more images in our Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Photo Gallery.
Visit Hussy here: www.hussy.com.au
Images courtesy of Hussy
