#12: Mic Eaton
Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks
By Annette Ekin
What do you do? I'm a fashion designer. My label is Material Boy.
Figures. So where are your shoes from? These are Material Boy shoes, these are from the new collection.
Hold the phone, fella - is everything you're wearing Material Boy? Spandex tights and all? Yeah, yeah!
Are you just promoting them or do you actually make clothes you like to wear? Both. I'm true to what I design and I only really make what I would wear.
What planet are you from? I was born in Hobart. Material Boy is based in Melbourne and I spend about six months of my year between Bali, going to Europe and Asia. I travel a lot.
Lucky you. Mind you, most people from Tassie tend to. Of all your travels, what's your pick of the lot? Japan. Tokyo is always a favourite but Paris is always amazing especially during Fashion Week, it's a very exciting time to be there.
What's so special about Tokyo? When I started out I was really inspired
by the city and how forward and experimental fashion is there. I love
their style. It's an exciting place
How does Sydney compare? I've lived in every state. I was living in Perth when I launched the line and then I moved to Melbourne but all my family is based in Sydney so I'm kind of everywhere. I seem to spend more time in Sydney than anywhere else when I'm in Australia but most of the time I'm moving around.
You're ducking the question. What's your honest opinion of Sydney style? People look great. I think everyone in Sydney has a style that has really matured a lot over the last few years.
Looking around us, there seems to be a lot of black. Wasn't this what we used to give Mexican Melbournites stick for? Yeah, more black but also more luxury fabrics rather than just the jersey. Everyone's clothes look more expensive than they did two years ago.
Explain the whole silk, leather, spandex combination? I have used a lot of silk in this collection, silk t-shirts, silk sweaters. I'm kind of obsessed with silk at the moment. It's usually used in womenswear so I've been experimenting with it in menswear. I used to use a lot of jersey but silk is more luxurious.
Where are you off to now? I've got sewing machines set up back in the hotel so I am going back there to work.