DAY ZERO - Sunday April 26, 2009 at 7pm
FRIEDRICH GRAY
UTS Atrium Building

Trans Season 2
TRANSGRESSION 

The continuum of the Friedrich Gray character is here.

Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray presented his Trans Season 2 collection on the eve of Australian Fashion Week. The off schedule show was opened by nineties model Emma Balfour (currently on the cover of i-D magazine) at the University of Sydney's Atrium building, where media, buyers, industry and guests of the designer filled out the space and the rafters to welcome Pollitt's 8th collection appropriately titled 'Transgression.' 

trans×gres×sion [trans-gresh-uh n] - An art form that aims to overstep the boundaries of convention. Exploring the limits of subversion, eroticism and counterculture, redefining the rules in the process.

Inspirations for the collection were drawn from the David Lynch Film ‘Dune’. In particular, Lynch’s unique artistic ability to use each frame to create emotionally charged scenes through the use of negative space, shadow lighting and the absence and presence of the body. The architecture of Zaha Hadid, designer of the Phaeno Centre in Germany, influenced Pollitt to push the boundaries of modern design with a focus on visual line geometry.
'Transgression' resumes the androgynous narrative of the Friedrich Gray brand, using long silhouettes and mixing luxurious fabrics with washed and treated leathers. This season envisions a move away from the conventional constructs of traditional seasonal palettes. Colour is instead injected into the collection through the inclusion of saturated film colours and prints – green, yellow, orange, blue and red. Washed green leather and dusty whites dramatically set off the dark pieces. The twist on the recognisable minimalist colour palette and a strong focus on the touch and feel of the super soft fabrics and textures create a line that is distinctly Friedrich Gray. Draped and clean elegant feminine lines see a stronger push towards women's wear this season while the Men are still well catered for with the dark aesthetic Friedrich Gray has become known for.

Luxurious leather jackets and the new season’s print (a collaboration between Pollitt and contemporary artist Scrapwall), which literally documents their conversations over previous seasons onto fabric. Think Positive Designer Prints in Sydney digitally printed onto Australian Merino Wool (using technology that is unique to Friedrich Gray in Australia) and also seen on silk georgette. These patterns are featured prominently throughout the body of the collection as design inserts and engineered placements to compliment the cut and drape of the garment.

A Limited Edition digital print dress called “House Atreides” offers a limited run of only 20. This dress was worn by prominent, iconic model Emma Balfour. Friedrich Gray also teamed with MOMO Design for the pivotal point of the show with their sleek modern helmet designs (see attached image). The show gave attendees a glimpse into the futuristic journey to Geidi Prime, as the protagonist Friedrich Gray. From the beginnings atop the mountain into the darkness of wild swamps, towards the light of the morning and into the futuristic vision of the world we live in. 

SHOW CREDITS: Producer - Rachel Tuffery, Hair Director - Jon Pulitano for GHD, Make Up Director - Natasha Severino for Make-Up Store, Skin Care – Declaré Switzerland, Nails – Creative Nail Design, Women’s Shoes – Peep Toe and Zu customised by Friedrich Gray, Men’s Shoes – Marsu Homme, Helmets – Momo Design, Production - PRONTO Productions, Music Direction - Jono Ma and Adam Drage, PR - Little Hero, Sponsorship - Leticia Dare and Little Hero

SPONSORS: Declaré Switzerland, MOMO Design, GHD, Westfield, ROCK Energy Drinks, Think Positive Designer Prints, The Make Up Store, Creative Nail Design, IKU Whole Food, ABSOLUT Vodka, Emma & Tom’s, Smiggle, Marsu Homme, Peep Toe Shoes, Zu

We Saw the Morning - Spring/Summer 08-09

Tuesday 29th April 2008, 9pm
Cargo Theatre

Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray unveiled his Spring Summer 2008-09 collection 'We Saw the Morning' at RAFW with a bold procession of other worldly beings.

The models stalked the runway in an ode to sophisticated deconstructivism which masterfully integrated clashing styles to form a collection that is both innovative and wearable. His unique signature of hand treated fabrics are worked, washed, beaten and treated to become a unique brand of Friedrich Gray perfection.

Selected by the Editor of Vogue Australia, Kirstie Clements announced today the Australian Protege as Friedrich Gray. Ben Pollit will showcase a selection of wool pieces today at 1 pm alongside international collections by Jean Pierre Braganza, Kristian Aadnevik, Ioannis Cholids, Julian Louie, Sandra Backlund.

The Australian Wool Innovation presents the Protégé collection where each designer has been selected by an internationally respected fashion identity to create a unique range made from Australian Merino wool. Collections have been selected by designers Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, Paul Smith, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein and the Editor of Vogue Italiana Franca Sozzani.

View the show: http://www.vogue.com.au/

Friedrich Gray wins Woolmark New Young Designer Award

On Tuesday 4th March 2008, Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray was announced as the winner of the 2008 LMFF Designer Award presented by Woolmark and supported by VOGUE Australia at a special presentation during the Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at Central Pier.

Woolmark presented Ben with a $10,000 cheque and commemorative award. Ben will also be flown to either Pitti Filati in Florence or Premiere Vision in Paris as a guest of Woolmark, who will host and introduce them to their network of contacts including mills and fabric suppliers.

Pollitt comments, "The Friedrich Gray label is maturing both in its designs and its sophistication. I'm using a mixture of luxury fabrics in ways that compliment the body and create a strong silhouette. I'm creating an image for longevity, not clothes that are fashionable. I am designing in 3 areas now. mens, womens and an in between areas called 'gray.' The gray represents the androgonous aspect of my designs and has no sex. It is sexless; pieces are designed to float between masculine and feminine, this helps meld the whole collection together."

Friedrich Gray is more than just a label. Friedrich Gray is a story, a study and a journey. Since March 2006, Sydney designer Ben Pollitt has been fleshing out his alter ego, a character whose journey runs parallel to the vision of the designer and is played out in each season’s range. We follow the valiant protagonist by way of seasons and collections. “Developing a character other than myself to lead the journey allows my mind to experience the darkened exploits of a man with no constraints”. Mysterious and ferocious, we see Pollitt’s fashion narrative follow Friedrich’s plight from the chaos of a broken city and through the savage lands.

Friedrich Gray was born from Pollitt in an attempt to set his own tone within the constructs of Australian fashion. After working as a fashion stylist in New York he returned to Sydney in 2006 with a vision for the label. Friedrich Gray assumed it’s own persona, by means of a mixture of meticulously selected fabrics and timeless cuts.

Friedrich Gray Wins SOYA Award

Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray was named the fashion winner of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards.

The SOYA Awards honour young talent under 25 in the areas of music, photography, film, industrial design and visual arts along with fashion and aim to provide mentors who are leaders in the field.

Peter Morrissey judged the final 50 fashion entrants and will mentor Pollitt in developing his label.

"I've always known I can design and be creative," Pollitt said, "I just need to know more about the nuts and bolts of running a business and getting financing."

(This excerpt is from a piece by Jen Melocco that appeared in the Daily Telegraph.)