From Cate Blanchett to Lady Gaga and Middle Eastern royalty, Martin Grant's designs have been worn by some of the world's biggest names.
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Almost 100 works from the Melbourne-born fashion figure, who is known for his reinterpretations of wardrobe classics, are on show in the city where it all began.
The retrospective exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria showcases the self-taught Australian's evolution, from paintings as a four-year-old to internationally renowned fashion designs.
Featuring works stretching back to the mid-1980s, the exhibition offers insight into his creative processes across periods of his life, with Grant delving into a collection he hasn't seen in years.
"I'm surprised about the diversity of the work that I've done over the years because I have in mind the classics that I do, which are tailored coats and tailored suits, but actually, there's a lot more to it than that," he told AAP.
A stunning display of floating monochromatic ball gowns propped up by invisible mannequins is the crescendo, depicting his style of precise, sharp and clean silhouettes.
The gallery's director Tony Ellwood hailed Grant as one of Australia's leading fashion figures and said it was proud to be the custodian of the largest and richest collection of his work.
For more than four decades, the global fashion leader has worked with some of the world's biggest names, including Cate Blanchett, Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, Emma Stone, Rebel Wilson and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan.
"They're intelligent and often very strong, interesting women, and so that's always been really interesting and that inspires me," he said.
His designs have been shown on international runways, splashed across major magazine covers to Lady Gaga wearing in a club in Las Vegas.
"Over the years, I've learned to deal with with women and personalities, and so I have a certain ease with them," he said.
Growing up in Blackburn in Melbourne's east, Grant was introduced to fashion by his stylish mother who made her own clothes and a seamstress grandmother.
"I spent a lot of time with her and just watching her work and learnt sewing at a very early age," Grant said.
"We were encouraged to go and play and draw and create things and so that's where it came from."
The Paris-based designer has spent the past 30 years overseas, but coming home to Melbourne to stage his exhibition feels natural.
NGV Council of Trustees president Janet Whiting said the exhibition is an ode to Grant's remarkable legacy of artistry.
"All I can say is, for all the women, once you've seen this exhibition, there's no excuse to ever to say again, 'I don't have anything to wear'," she said.
Australian Associated Press
