Toni Maticevski calls out Acler over ‘copying’ designs

Another day, another war of words between two fashion designers. In the wake of the Logies metallic dress meltdown, a Melbourne designer has blasted an Aussie label of producing “cheap s--- versions” of his designs.

Another couture catfight has erupted in the Australian fashion industry.

While the Logies metallic dress meltdown snowballed yesterday, attention soon turned to Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski, who alleged that fellow Aussie label Acler had “copied” his designs.

“Employ your own designers and stop copying me with your cheap s--- versions,” he wrote on Instagram.

While Maticevski, who is in France for Paris Fashion Week, didn’t return calls for comment, Kathryn Forth and Julia Ritorto, the designer duo behind Acler said they were “disappointed” by the exchange.

The designer duo behind Acler, pictured with model Jess Gomes, said they were “disappointed” by the exchange.

Toni Maticevski. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

“We are very disappointed in the activity on social media over the weekend,” Acler general manager, Julia Sumner said.

“Acler is a proud Australian business that has grown nationally and internationally over the last five years off the back of an incredibly hardworking and talented design team, with extensive experience in the fashion industry.

“Each piece in the Acler collection is uniquely and meticulously designed with multiple fittings and draping throughout the design and manufacture process — with our pieces taking their final shape throughout a lengthy design process.

Toni Maticevski with model Tiahnee Skrijel wearing one of his designs at his studio in Yarraville. Picture: The Australian

Jennifer Hawkins in a Toni Maticevski gown in 2016. Picture: Toby Zerna

The Acler show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney in 2018. Picture: Getty

Acler showcase at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.

A model walks the runway during the Acler show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney last year. Picture: Getty

“We are proud supporters of an inclusive Australian fashion industry and will continue to work hard to bring our unique, affordable pieces to market here in Australia and around the world.”

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Interestingly, Maticevski and Acler signed with department store David Jones last month.

Also this year, there was another heated exchange between Melbourne couture designers Con Iliopoulos and Alin Le’ Kal in which Iliopoulos alleged there were “remarkable similarities” between his patterns and designs and those of Le’Kal’s, which were shown at an event in May.

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