Australian Designer Dion Lee Enters Voluntary Administration Amidst Industry Challenges

New York-based Australian designer Dion Lee has placed his Australian business under voluntary administration.

The administration is being overseen by Antony Resnick of the Australian insolvency firm DVT Group. The move follows the withdrawal of investment and partnership by Australian brand and retailer Cue, which had acquired a major share in Dion Lee in 2013.  

Cue's exit has significantly impacted the brand's financial stability and Lee has started to explore new revenue streams. For the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the brand collaborated with social commerce platform Emcee as a show sponsor. This partnership extended to a U.S. store opening, which featured a collaboration capsule collection available both in-store and on Emcee.  

Dion Lee, which has been a staple at New York Fashion Week since 2014, operates one store in the U.S., located in Miami, which opened last December, and six stores in Australia, including a flagship in Melbourne that launched at the end of last year.

In December, the brand appointed James Miller to the role of chief executive officer.