Dion Lee Enterprise: Aussie fashion brand favoured by stars including Taylor Swift goes into administration

Headshot of Peta Rasdien
Peta Rasdien
The Nightly
Taylor Swift in a Dion Lee corset at this year’s Super Bowl.
Taylor Swift in a Dion Lee corset at this year’s Super Bowl. Credit: Harry How/Getty Images

Australian designer brand Dion Lee, favoured by stars including Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa and modelled by Madonna’s daughter Lourdes, has gone into voluntary administration.

Founded in Sydney in 2009 by its eponymous creative director, the fashion retailer was forced to take drastic action after Cue Clothing Co. withdrew its partnership, taking its investment dollars with it.

Dion Lee, which describes its aesthetic as “technical with an intelligent sensuality” operates six stores in Australia and one in Miami which opened in December.

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According to its website, its clothes are sold in more than 40 of the world’s most exclusive retailers including Net-A-Porter, Selfridges and Lane Crawford.

Dion Lee has presented collections in London and New York, with Cue Clothing Co. acquiring a shareholding stake in Dion Lee in 2013.

Taylor Swift is a fan of the brand.
Taylor Swift is a fan of the brand. Credit: John Locher/AP

Anthony Resnick, from voluntary administrator dVT Group, said that the administration process was in its early stages and a full creditors report was being prepared. A creditors meeting will be held in the coming weeks.

“The Dion Lee brand has built global recognition and credibility in the world of high fashion. It is regularly worn by cultural icons and influencers,” Mr Resnick said.

“It is noted in the industry for its unique designs. All of which should attract both local and international investor interest.”

A model walks the runway wearing a design by Dion Lee during during Australian Fashion Week.
A model walks the runway wearing a design by Dion Lee during during Australian Fashion Week. Credit: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AFW

Taylor Swift boosted the brand’s global profile when she wore one of its corsets to this year’s Super Bowl in the US.

“The Dion Lee brand is one of a handful of Australian fashion labels that has been able to break into international markets in recent years and there is no doubt as to the high creative regard in which it is held,” Mr Resnick said.

“However, until we progress our administraton process it is too early to comment in any detail on its current financial position other than to say our intention at this time is to operate the brand as a going concern.”

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