Duo sow seeds of style success
He hung up his football boots in 2006 and now Chad Morrison is pursuing a passion of another kind — fashion design.
Together with wife Natalie, the former AFL star, who played for the Eagles and Collingwood during his 10-year career, is set to launch sports luxe and athletic leisurewear label Acron Threads in a runway showcase tonight.
It’s been a long time coming for the stylish couple, who first came up with the idea in 2011 when former human resources officer Natalie decided she no longer wanted to work for someone else. Two years later, circumstances allowed them to make it a reality.
“We fell pregnant with our first child and then Nat was made redundant from her job, so we said ‘Let’s give it a go’,” Chad, a personal trainer, toldAAA .
“Now we have come up with a blend of street style, sports luxe wear for when your surroundings change but you don’t have to. The clothes are versatile enough for everyday wear.”
Natalie, who is now mother to 20-month-old daughter Sienna and is expecting another baby in August, said she was inspired by women leading fast-paced lifestyles.
“Especially being a mum, you go from one thing to another and don’t really get the time to get changed, and it’s important to remain comfortable as well as stylish,” she said.
Despite the Acron Threads range focusing on women for the time being, it is Chad who largely tackles the garment design, while Natalie uses her business savvy to work on things behind the scenes.
“Nat has a business background, so she has taken charge of that role,” Chad said.
“ I see myself more as the creative type.”
Natalie added: “When it comes to the design side, I am always running things past Chad. We always have to agree on something or we don’t go ahead with it.”
The Hillarys pair have another helping hand in the form of famed WA designer Kylie Morrison, who has been mentoring Natalie in the lead-up to the launch.
“I just called her out of the blue and said what we were doing, and she has been great,” Natalie said, adding that their shared surname was a fun coincidence.
“She has given me lots of contacts; in fact I use one of her manufacturers. It gives you a lot of confidence.”
The Morrisons will launch Acron Threads during the WA Beach Bodies Competition, a free event at Matisse Beach Club, kicking off at 7pm today.
