It wasn’t until February, 2022, that Paul Malcolm finally launched his own brand of bespoke, handmade coats, despite being in fashion for years and years, he will cheerfully acknowledge. Starting in retail, then moving into visual merchandising and styling, it took almost 30 years.
“I started designing in 2013, self taught by watching YouTube videos on sewing, different kinds of stitching, how to do hand sewn buttonholes etc. I always admired the designs from Paris and Italy and loved flowing/oversized garments and started making them for myself to wear,” explains Paul.
“Then 2014 came around and I got the opportunity to work for a French label here in Melbourne, so I stopped designing, and then started again in 2020 during lockdown. I had all this fabric at home and was bored.
“I started making coats for myself and posting them on Facebook. Friends would comment and eventually ask if I could make them one. Instagram happened and then I had ladies from New York, Melbourne, the UK reaching out for pieces. That’s how it eventually started.
“The name Malcolmpaull is my name reversed; I added an extra “L” for good luck.”
Paul says that he really started his brand because people loved what he was doing, and that he realised there was a market for his designs.
“Gender neutral, oversized, totally over the top statement pieces. Everyone deserves a little bit of fabulousness in their wardrobe. The main concept behind my brand is to offer affordable, statement pieces that anyone can wear from brunch with friends, to Dinner, Theatre, or to the Red Carpet.
“My brand motto is: ‘Go big, or go home!’
Each one-off, bespoke garment is handmade in Melbourne using limited edition fabrics and prints. Malcolmpaull is an entirely inclusive brand, says Paul.
“My brand is inclusive of everyone, straight, Gay, Bi, Trans and any nationality. Malcolmpaull does not discriminate.”
As for the future, Paul says he plans to expand into other areas including shirts, pants, bags and even shoes, following the same inclusive concept. “I have lots of things I want to do.”
“Every Malcolmpaull coat or hat is a ‘one off piece’. Whoever has one in their wardrobe is the only one in the world to own it. No two coats are the same.
“Also I don’t put pockets on any of my coats. Pockets are so 20th century.
“If you need to keep your hands warm on a cold day, wear some beautiful gloves. If you need to hold something, carry a nice bag. I feel people have forgotten how to ‘dress up’.
“Stand out from the crowd with your gorgeous coat, accessories.”
For more information about Malcolmpaull, go to malcolmpaull.com. You can also follow the brand on Instagram at @malcolmpaull.
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