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Alice McCall collapses with store closures across Australia

February 17, 2023
Henry Club

The retail bloodbath continues as popular Australian fashion retailer Alice McCall collapses – beloved by everyone from celebrities to gangster mums

  • Alice McCall has closed after 20 years in business
  • Founder says she’s ‘coming full circle’ and decided to ‘close the doors’ for good

By Cameron Carpenter for Daily Mail Australia

Published: , Updated:

Top Australian fashion brand Alice McCall has collapsed, with hundreds of jobs on the line as stores close across the country.

The celebrity-loved brand, known for dressing the likes of Kate Moss and Beyoncé, is selling remaining stock online through a clearance sale after stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane closed, going into liquidation.

The label was founded in 2004 by Alice McCall, but fell on hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A staple at Australian Fashion Week, the eclectic designer won fans worldwide for her bold lace numbers inspired by eye-popping prints and rompers from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The pieces were regularly featured on the red carpet and in high fashion editorials for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle and were beloved by many for what was described as its ‘playful sensibility’.

However, in November 2020, the company went into voluntary administration.

in a statement posted Instagram, McCall said: ‘After two decades, I have come full circle with the Alice McCall brand. It’s time to close the doors, making room for a new chapter in my life.

‘I want to say thank you and acknowledge everyone who has worn, supported and loved the brand over the years.

Matthew Kucianski of Worrells has been appointed as liquidator.

‘This is a difficult time for everyone involved, and we will do our best to support all stakeholders during the liquidation process,’ he added.

‘Our team is committed to ensuring that the liquidation process is conducted in a professional and transparent manner, and that all parties are informed of developments as they arise.’

The liquidators are encouraging Australians to ‘support the brand’ by engaging in an online sales campaign.

Prominent Australian designer Alice McCall (pictured above) has had her business collapsed

A model wears an Alice McCall dress at Sydney Fashion Week 2019

A model wears an Alice McCall dress at Sydney Fashion Week 2019

Alice McCall stores (pictured above) are set to close across Australia

Alice McCall stores (pictured above) are set to close across Australia

Alice McCall is the latest in a long line of businesses across Australia to have been crippled by a retail apocalypse.

Furniture seller Brossa fell into liquidation last month, leaving behind debts of $24 million, with many customers out of pocket due to unfinished orders.

Last year, Soda Shades also fell into a $2.3 million administration, which it blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Just a week before Sneakerboy went bust, with $17.2 million owed to more than 100 creditors.

Alice McCall’s full statement after closing the business

After two decades (20 years), I have come full circle with the Alice McCall brand.

It’s time to close the doors, making room for a new chapter in my life. I want to say thank you and acknowledge all the people who have worn, supported and loved the brand over the years.

For me the brand was a symbol of lightness of soul, clothes were something in which you celebrated life.

You had fun, you felt empowered and you made memories wearing Alice pieces.

I would also like to thank everyone who has worked with the brand over the years, overall it has been an amazing journey, filled with love, laughter and light.

Taking a moment to reminisce, one thing that stays with me is when someone shares their experience wearing an Alice piece, and how much the memory means to them.

This I hold deep in my heart, apparel has the ability to make you feel good. It’s the art of dress that I love. That emotional aspect. It’s that connection that stays with me. I also want to acknowledge the importance of small businesses in our community, they are a cornerstone in society.

We must remember to hold each other up, make decisions from our hearts, and support each other.

We are together and together we are stronger. Through this account over the next week or so I will retrospectively pay tribute to the brand and its history.

So please stay connected. I also ask you to post and tag your memories of wearing Alice Again, thank you for your support over the years, but now it’s time to bow out.