Higher Learning
Speakers
Other Events
Sponsors
Ben Pollitt - Friedrich Gray
Dark flights of fantasy weave their way through designer, Ben Pollitt’s collections, which tell the tales of the exploits of Friedrich Gray, the fictional character and alter ego of Ben himself. Friedrich Gray was born in 2006 and quickly became known on the fashion scene for its minimalist aesthetics, intellectual approach to construction and inimitably atypical sense of style.
Ben Pollitt the creator of this identifiable style has an intrinsically timeless approach to fashion, focusing on creating garments that don’t expire from season to season, but rather operate as a seamless body of evolutionary work. Ben’s advanced approach to fabrication, fusing together the manmade and natural and his immaculate tailoring and signature draping and panelling techniques ensure recognisable quality in his experimental garments.
Ben’s remarkable ability to literally carve a new identity into the Australian fashion industry, through characteristic garments, has seen him win awards including the Qantas Spirit of Youth Fashion Award in 2007 and The Vogue/Woolmark Designer Award at the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2008.
Notes From The Talk
Ben Pollit provided an overview of his experiences in developing his skills and his label and his approach to designing. He initially studied Business Construction and explained that he never anticipated working in fashion, however now that he is a fashion designer, all of the skills he developed in managing a business are the skills that he utilises as a fashion designer. He emphasised the importance of having strong business management skills to be able to manage an effective company.
Ben won the LMFF Woolmark award in 2008 and briefly discussed having won the award. He never intended on entering and winning opened up greater opportunities for him and the money he won, went straight into his business.
He encouraged aspiring designers to have a mentor and to meet with them frequently. He discussed the importance of his mentor in clarifying his ideas and providing the support necessary to make informed decisions.
Overall the Ben provided unique insight into his label, his approach to designing and the importance of business skills and having a mentor.
