Sophie Lui

Designer

Born in the jungles of Cambodia under the brutal Pol Pot regime before escaping to a tiny apartment in Paris with her mother and brother, Lui migrated to Australia at age nine.

Things were pretty difficult at home but my mother was an accomplished seamstress. Refusing to compromise her aesthetic ideals, she always remained immaculately stylish, regardless of how pinched the family finances. I am still inspired by childhood memories of her dressed in stilettos and tailor-made silk cheongsams.

Lui's experiences have lead to a passion for the empowerment of women. I listen to what women want, what makes them feel good. I love it when my customers are surprised by how beautiful they look.

Sophie Lui's eponymous label launched in November 2006 at the Crown Palladium Ballroom in Melbourne. The label is known for creating one-off pieces that become personal favourites, all entirely designed and made in Melbourne.

The company's design team; Sophie Lui, and brothers, Dale and Cameron Crawford, have backgrounds in the fine arts, graphic design, textile design and fashion retailing.

We want women to feel special. We want to spoil them with elegant garments that are easy to wear; garments that feel wonderful, flatter and accentuate the figures of real women.