George Gross

With more than 40 years in the industry, George Gross is one of Australia’s best known fashion designers. Designing his own label for the last 35 years, Gross has dressed celebrities the world over in his eponymous label.

With his first creation - a sequined shift, at the tender age of 16 George still believes “every collection starts with the fabric and is all about the cut and proper finishing. The looks and silhouettes change every season but not dramatically, it is more that they evolve from season to season.”

The George Gross label was first conceived in Adelaide by Gross and his business partner Harry Watt. As designer, both were working for other fashion houses and saw a gap in the market for elegant evening wear, suiting and separates. Joining with his twin sister Kathy, the three began with a small Adelaide store and expanded to include more than 500 retailers worldwide at the height of their business.

Gross and Watt have won 13 Australian fashion design awards between them and both work closely with charities throughout Australia. Working primarily with Breast and Prostate Cancer Research, George organises parades around Australia, especially in their home town of Adelaide.

Gross now has seven stand alone stores, nine concession areas in David Jones department stores and numerous wholesale clients Australia wide. Having finished summer 2009, George is now working on winter 2010, his 73rd collection with many more to come.