Alice McCall collapses with stores to close across Australia

Australia
By William

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Australian fashion retailer Alice McCall collapses and stores close across the country: the iconic designs were loved by thousands, from A-list celebrities to gangster moms.

By Cameron Carpenter for Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Australian fashion brand Alice McCall has collapsed, with hundreds of jobs at risk as stores close across the country.

The brand is selling the rest of its stock online via a clearance sale after going on clearance, with stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shuttered.

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

In November 2020, the company entered voluntary administration.

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

I want to say thank you and recognize all the people who have used, supported and loved the brand over the years.

Celebrity A-listers like Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, and Kendall Jenner have all worn Ms. McCall’s clothing.

Matthew Kucianski of Worrells has been appointed liquidator.

“This is a difficult time for everyone involved, and we will do everything we can to support all stakeholders through the liquidation process,” he said.

“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 trustee is encouraging Australians to ‘support the brand’ by participating in an online sales campaign.

The business of prominent Australian designer Alice McCall (pictured above) has collapsed

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

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

Alice McCall stores (pictured above) will close across Australia

Alice McCall stores (pictured above) will close across Australia

Alice McCall is just the latest in a long line of businesses in Australia to be brought to a standstill by a retail apocalypse.

Furniture seller Brosa went into liquidation last month, leaving behind $24 million in debt, with many customers paying off due to unfulfilled orders.

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

Just a week before Sneakerboy collapsed, with $17.2 million owed to over 100 creditors.

Alice McCall’s full statement after close of business

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

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

For me, the brand embodied a lightness of spirit, clothing was something you celebrated life with.

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

I also want to thank all the people who have worked with the brand over the years, overall it has been a wonderful journey, full of love, laughter and light.

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

I keep this in the depths of my heart, the ability of the garment to make you feel good. It is the art of dressing that I love. That emotional aspect. It is that connection that stays with me. I also want to recognize the importance of small businesses in our community, they are the cornerstone of society.

We must remember to support each other, make decisions with our hearts and support each other.

We are united and we are stronger together. Through this account for the next week I will pay tribute to the brand and its history, a retrospective.

So please stay connected. I also ask that you post and tag your own memories of using Alice Again, thanks for your support over the years, but now it’s time to retire.

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