Lover (clothing)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Susien Chong, Nic Briand |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Clothing, fashion collections |
Lover is an Australian fashion brand established in 2001 by designers Susien Chong and Nic Briand. The label originated as a weekend stall at Bondi Markets, presenting a modest collection of ten separates. Since its inception, Lover has risen to recognition both domestically and on the global stage.
In November 2017, the company entered voluntary administration, with Ferrier Hodgson appointed to assess its financial status in preparation for a possible sale.
Background
Lover's designs are inspired by diverse sources such as art, music, cinema, and popular culture. Nic Briand, one of the designers, explains that each collection revolves around "a narrative and central character." Inspirations span from Jean-Luc Godard and early Woody Allen films to Black Flag and Marianne Faithfull. Briand tends to draw from darker themes including the Wu-Tang Clan, comic books, and Jimi Hendrix, whereas Susien Chong leans towards gentler influences like Picnic at Hanging Rock, ballet, and Roberta Flack.
Melodies (SS 2004)
This collection features a color scheme of cream, soft blue, and black accented by polka-dot patterns and Lover’s trademark large buttons. Inspirations:
- Meg White
- Françoise Hardy
Miss Francoise (AW 2004)
Characterized by black, white, red, and deep blues alongside oversized buttons and satin fabrics. The collection exudes a masculine vibe with sharp white shirts, cuffed wide-leg trousers, and suspenders.
Broken Hearts (SS 2005)
Focused on tailored basics in black and white highlighted with touches of red and pink. Lace details are prominent, including an off-shoulder garment that appeared in Nylon magazine. Chong mentions drawing inspiration from "lovelorn girls weaving through crowds at Sydney gigs."
Performance (AW 2005)
Performance tells the tale of "a shy schoolgirl violinist awakened by her brother's Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath records," as described by Nic Briand. Inspirations:
- Freaks and Geeks
- Ballet
- 1970s Rock
Black Magick (SS 2006)
This range included pinstriped denim cuffed shorts alongside the season’s coveted white lace Black Magick dress. Incorporating velvet fabrics, denim pieces, and folk-inspired floral trims, the collection embraced a bohemian spirit. Inspirations:
- Folk music
- Charles Manson
- Tarot cards
- 1960s
Lover Loves Levi's (March 2006)
A limited release of 1,000 jeans featured oversized buttons, a black Levi’s patch, contrasting stitching, and Lover-branded waistband lining. The collaboration included a matching tote bag and key ring, aligning with Levi’s rock’n’roll youth culture heritage while complementing Lover’s Autumn/Winter About A Girl collection.
About a Girl (AW 2006)
About A Girl showcased bleached whites alongside grey-purple plaids and black tones, anchored by patterned lace tights and skivvies. Signature items included vests, pinafores, flowing blouses, playsuits, large buttons, cuffed shorts, and the iconic white lace dress—extending Lover’s design tradition. Inspirations:
- Kurt Cobain
Black Rose Army (SS 2007)
The Black Rose Army collection illustrates the journey of an innocent heiress evolving into a defiant rebel, drawing inspiration from Patty Hearst. The runway presentation showcased four distinct stages of Hearst’s story: purity (represented by white dresses), collegiate life (featuring slogan tees, denim, and vivid hues), the SLA militant phase (khaki outfits), and ultimate darkness (entirely black ensembles accented with corsages symbolizing lost innocence). This line was shaped by the spirit of 1960s Berkeley, the Symbionese Liberation Army, and cultural elements such as Martin Scorsese's No Direction Home, The Kills, early punk photography, and iconic blues artists.
Altamont (AW 2007)
Inspirations:
- The Altamont music festival
- The Rolling Stones
- The 1970s era
One Plus One (SS 2008)
This swimwear collection included twelve designs crafted in lace knit, French stripe, or denim fabrics. It drew from 1970s skateboarding culture and was intended to suit both relaxed suburban poolside settings paired with denim jeans and beach environments. The collection was styled alongside all-white Vans hi-tops and Authentic Vans in white. Inspirations:
- Dogtown and Z-Boys
- Skate culture of 1970s California
- Robert Altman's film 3 Women
- Harvest by Neil Young
- Electric Ladyland, Jimi Hendrix
- Imagine Our Love, Lavender Diamond
Love Bomb (FW 2008/SS 2008.09)
The Love Bomb collection showcased features such as bell sleeves, velveteen jackets, leather shorts, intricate neck details, and a sharply tailored jumpsuit.
A Dance For One (SS 2011/AW 2011)
In celebration of its tenth anniversary in 2011, the brand returned to the runway for the first time in five years with this show.