With his signature sunglasses, penchant for black clothing and larger-than-life personality, Alex Perry cuts a distinctive figure. This beloved Australian icon has been gracing fashion runways with his opulent designs since the early 1990s.
Perry is most known for his glamorous, ultra-feminine gowns that are the pinnacle of luxury evening wear. He’s dressed scores of famous bodies, from royalty like Princess Mary to fashion A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Miranda Kerr.
Born Alexandros Pertsinidis, the designer’s life is a rags-to-riches story. The son of working-class Greek migrants who sold burgers for a living, Perry has since made a name for himself in the fashion world as an internationally-acclaimed couturier.
The Sydney native graduated from East Sydney Technical College, where he honed his skills studying fashion design. His haute couture brand was established in 1992, with a focus on exquisitely detailed corsetry, fairytale-like gowns and sheath dresses.
Not long after, Perry’s work caught the eye of industry insiders, and he was snapped up by Vogue Australia for a photo shoot. Since then, the label’s success has skyrocketed, with the first ready-to-wear collection launching in 1998.
Alex Perry’s designs are a perennial favourite at Fashion Week, making appearances every year. He’s nabbed a handful of awards, including the 2011 Designer of the Year and 2015 Lifetime Achievement award at the Prix de Marie Claire.
His latest collection for 2019 marks a departure from previous intricate designs, favouring effortless simplicity. From sheath dresses to billowing gowns, solid colours reign king: black, white, red, soft pink, lime green and lilac. Feminine ruffles adorn structured silhouettes.
The resort collection ups the ante with bold florals, glitter, neon hues and floor-length sleeves. Perry has also tried his hand at wedding dresses and eyewear.
The multi-talented mogul doesn’t shy away from the spotlight, rising to reality TV stardom in Australia. Find him dishing out style advice on Australia’s Next Top Model and Project Runway, or cooking up a storm on Celebrity MasterChef. Highlighting his international reputation, Alex Perry has also served as a judge on Asia’s Next Top Model.
Venturing outside of the fashion industry, Perry has even made a foray into the real estate and hotel business. Fans will be delighted to spend the night at Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments, situated in Brisbane’s vibrant Fortitude Valley precinct.
As Creative Director, the fashion guru puts his impeccable style knowledge to good use, kitting out the boutique hotel with chic interiors. Its modern-yet-classic aesthetic is trademark Alex Perry.
Alex Perry is married to former model Mary Perry, also of Greek background. The pair enjoys a relatively tame home life, watching reality TV and cooking (with Alex Perry as sous chef). The designer’s can-do attitude and bold personality continue to inspire those around him.
By Jennifer Luu