Tony Lee

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Tony Lee is a womenswear & knitwear designer focused on experimental shapes and innovative textiles incorporating handcraft techniques.

Tony graduated BA Design in Fashion & Textiles at the University of Technology, Sydney, in 2016 and showed ‘The Looping’ in the press show & National Graduate Showcase at VAMFF (Virign Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival). ‘The Looping’ was awarded with NSW Business Chamber scholarship based on the innovative use of Australian merino wool. Tony developed his own innovative technique of blending machine and hand knitting in a seamless motion, creating knit structures emphasising the contrast of scale and texture of fine machine knitting and chunky gauge hand knitting. The yarns were hand-dyed in-house and blend-knitted in various thicknesses, achieving an impactful colour palette.

Tony launched Tony Lee knitwear in 2017, creating quality unique knitwear and accessories using Australian merino wool, including Galaxy Tourist 17 showing inter-seasonal made-to-order knitwear and Project Un/Used 18, creating one-off ‘forms’ made of unused materials from designer’s personal archive.

Tony further explored his academic research in respond to his background, during MA Fashion Design Technology, Womenswear at London College of Fashion, UAL. Tony’s MA collection ‘Nubi’ explores reinterpretation of Hanbok (Korean traditional clothing) through the creative journey, The voluminous silhouettes, clean details and bold colour of Hanbok were incorporated with outerwear elements to suggest a new wardrobe. Tony showed his background in knitwear and used Australian merino wool sponsored by local Australian woollen mill. He developed an innovative technique to integrate handcrafted wool and woven fabric in a seamless manner to create a contrast in scale and texture. One of the main fabrication, quilted cotton, was sourced from prestigious Hanbok fabric market in South Korea. ‘Nubi’ is a collection celebrating designer’s heritage, handcraft, locally sourced materials in a high-end contemporary style. Tony was selected to show his collection during London Fashion Week in February, 2020.

2020
Showing collection 'Nubi' during London Fashion Week in February

2019
Graduated MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear at London College of Fashion, UAL

2017
Launched TONY LEE KNITWEAR

Selected as one of 12 finalists to show at National Graduate Showcase at VAMFF (Virgin Australian Melbourne Fashion Festival)

2016
Graduated BA (Hons) Fashion & Textiles Design, University of Technology, Sydney
Innovative knitwear collection 'THE LOOPING'
Won NSW Business Chamber Scholarship, based on the innovative use of Australian Merino Wool.