MELBOUNE’s city business workers were literally bowled over with wool last week when an uncharacteristically brash Kim Simon joined models adorned in her dazzling woolen Fibre Red creations to meander down Little Collins Street in the busy lunch hour for Melbourne Spring fashion week.
They wore sensual slim-fitting dresses, high-wasted trousers and matching jackets, scarves and leggings all in succulent crimson and burgundy, and made up entirely of Australian Merino 19.5-20 micron wool.
According to Ms Simon, the collection, much-admired by the hundreds of intrigued on-lookers, recalled the grace and opulence of the 18th century.
"I like to evoke a sense of curiosity," the Melbourne knitwear designer said of her theatrical show that her clients, who may be cautious of being too dazzling in red, can still order tailor made and in any colour they desire.
Renowned for her passion for Merino wool and unique wearable designs, Ms Simon has been inundated with queries and support following the three, one-and-a-half hour-long shows that ran from Wednesday to Friday last week.
Even if sales do not instantly rise: in these days of mass competition and rise of the savvy consumer, creating intrigue is always a battle for designers.
"It's about letting the consumers do a bit more – evoke the interest and they will do their own research," Ms Simon said, whose sole explanation of what was occurring on Little Collins Street was a banner reading Fibre Red and 100pc Australian Merino wool.
Amongst the throng of business men and women standing in awe of the woolly procession was 27-year old Sophie McMillan, of Richmond, who had just two points to make when asked her thoughts on the show: "It's beautiful" and "I have never seen wool used this way."
Despite calls from her growing string of retail outlets to diversify away from Merino wool, Ms Simon says she is dedicated to sticking exclusively with Australian wool.
"I don’t know what it is about wool but I won’t change."
