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.
“Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray is part of a new breed of anti-fashion designers, he mixes androgynous styling with wit.” Belinda Seper
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.
Pollitt studied industrial design and building construction. He is untrained in fashion, instead drawing his influence from the music of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, experimental bands including the Liars, and designers Ann Demuilemeester;
Pollitt’s style sensibilities are dark and distinctive. Equally coveted by the black lain hipsters and high-end stylists, Friedrich Gray’s “sophisticated deconstructivism” masterfully integrates clashing styles to form collections that are both innovative and wearable.
Emphasising simplicity in both style and appearance, Pollitt sources his fabrics with great care. A specially developed hand-treated leather from Japan, lightweight New Zealand Merino wool and super fine cotton are cuffed, zipped and draped to create androgenous shapes that layer black on black with shots of slate and sand.
Australian Merino wool plays a major role in the Friedrich Gray 2008 Winter Collection, 'So We Dug a Tunnel'. Superfine woollen jersey makes the statement in unisex singlets, cardigans, leather embodied tops, and all signature pieces of the collection. Due to the flexibility and weight of the wool, shoulder and sleeve panels provide movement whilst providing a visual element unique to the collection.
His unique style philosophy has caught the attention of buyers and media alike, and most recently Ben Pollitt was winner of the 2008 L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) Designer Award presented by Woolmark for his Winter ‘08 collection.
