Michael Lo Sordo’s designs have won him the DHL Fashion Export Scholarship.
Fashion designer Michael Lo Sordo has been announced as the winner of the 2014 DHL Fashion Export Scholarship, beating finalists Karla Spectic and Christopher Esber.
Lo Sordo’s ability to appeal to a range of demographics and styles – and huge potential for international growth – made him an obvious choice, designer and judge Alice McCall said.
McCall was one of several judges, including Sunday Telegraph fashion editor Prue Lewington, director of strategy and brand development at IMG Fashion, Elle Turner, and sales manager at DHL Express, Michael McManus.
Known for his timeless and luxurious designs, Lo Sordo’s label has enjoyed growing success over the last six years, including recently securing Net-A-Porter as an exclusive international stockist from September 2014.
His designs are regularly seen on celebrities and bloggers at home and overseas, with fans including Jessica Mauboy, Montana Cox, Kendall Jenner, Margaret Zhang of Shine By Three, and Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Girl.
Lo Sordo will receive a trip to the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week in New York, an exclusive meeting with an international buyer and $10,000 worth of international freight.
The prize will allow him to take his business to the next level internationally, Lo Sordo said.
“Since the label began, I knew it was important to cement our foundation … within the Australian market before branching overseas.
“Over the years we have built a reputation for our designs with strong support from celebrities as well as local and international media and buyers,” he said. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to start this new journey.”
Previous winners of the scholarship include KAHLO, Haryono Setiadi, We Are Handsome and Bec and Bridge.
The Fashion Export scholarship aims to support up-and-coming Australian designers and gives Lo Sordo a shot at the global DHL Exported competition.
The global competition allows established designers to apply to show in the New York, London, Milan or Tokyo Fashion Weeks, with the winner in each market able to debut their collection for two seasons.
A record number of entrants applied for the Fashion Export scholarship this year, Elle Turner said.
