When a designer tells you his label is a cross between two of the darkest film directors (Dario Argento and Kenneth Anger), no-one could blame you for your concern. But in fashion, like in life, what you expect is rarely what you get.
Creator/designer Rob Maniscalco launched Claude Maus in 1999 and it has since evolved from customised clothing to a range that reflects more his fascination with fantasy and folklore. “Creating a theme for a collection allows you to think beyond individual garments,” explains Rob. “It also allows you to create fictitious worlds that can comprise of music styles, countries, mythology or whatever and this creates the framework for a collection.” What results is a range of clothing that may change thematically from season to season, but still maintains a very distinct signature. You recognise a Claude Maus piece for all the right reasons.
Rob confesses that he tends “to design women’s clothes that look more androgynous - I like women that look boyish.” Claude Maus stands alone in how it approaches women’s wear – minimal, perhaps even a little tomboyish – but still designed with everything female in mind. The men’s wear is equally as impressive, a happy balance of unassuming and distinctive. A harmony that many men will tell you, is absent from most labels.
For winter’06 Rob took inspiration from a recent trip to Slovenia, “I looked into Slovenian mythology and fairytales and how culturally displaced groups have kept their heritage unchanged.” The highlight of the range is by far and away, the gathered leather jacket (available for guys and girls). It’s this season’s best example of form and function.
Claude Maus winter is in Fat stores now (Melbourne & Sydney), for more information call (03) 9486 0555 or check out
www.claudemaus.com