Alice Edgeley, also known as ms_edgeley is a fashion/costume designer and true Melbourne icon, whose name carries weight; especially if you’re from the inner north.
For years, her boutique, EDEGELY on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, was a landmark. A space where people came to experiment, try things on and step into something more expressive. Her bi-annual ready-to-wear collections built a loyal following, known for her kitsch, playful glamour designs. Everything could be fully customised, whether you were a size 6 or 26 or dressing for the stage or a performance.
Since closing her physical store in early 2024, her brand is still alive and kicking. Shifting into something slower, more considered and sustainable. Moving away from her traditional bi-annual collections, she now works on a bespoke model. Pieces are custom-made; created one by one, often directly with the person who’ll wear them. Vintage and reclaimed fabrics are central to her practice, with a focus on reducing waste and making garments that are made to last.
Dressmaking is in her bloodline. Born to English parents and raised around it, with grandparents who were also dressmakers. She started sewing from a young age, making clothes for her dolls, obsessing over fashion history, pulling references long before it was part of her job.
We collaborated with Alice on Fressko’s Confidence in Style series because she is the essence of everything the campaign represents. She’s never followed trends or tried to fit a mould. Instead, she’s built a career by defining her own version of style - one that’s instantly recognisable, and one she’s never wavered from.
We meet her in her workroom, a space she shares with Rose Chong at another iconic Melbourne landmark, Rose Chong Costumiers, in what she describes as a full-circle moment.
“Where we are right now is my workroom. I share it with Rose Chong. And she was actually the person who gave me my first job when I was 16. And it's like full circle; I've come back to hang out with her again.“
The space feels like an immersive experience, opulent, a little chaotic (in the best way), a haberdashery dream come true. Wall to wall, floor to ceiling, vintage, couture, and theatrical garments, wigs. The accumulated work of a lifetime. As we chat, she holds her note pad close, telling us it’s always with her, always sketching.
There’s a certain presence about Alice; grounded, playful, a twinkle in her eye, but also someone who knows exactly who she is. When we ask if she could steal someone's style, who would it be, she doesn’t hesitate.
“I don't think I'd want to steal anyone else's style, but I would definitely want to steal someone's wardrobe. And it might be someone like Carine Roitfeld, who is a former editor of Vogue, or Isabella Blow. Or there's a lot of people's wardrobes actually I'd like to steal, but not their style.”
It correlates to how she defines style. “For me, style means individuality, I guess. Whatever makes you feel good.”
And on what makes her confident? “big hair, red lipstick, a nice earring, some clashing patterns, colour, high heels.” Make no mistake, there is nothing neutral and ordinary about this response, or Alice.
Now, with decades in the industry behind her, from major productions like Rocky Horror Picture Show to designing for Kylie Minogue’s dancers, her label EDGELEY continues online, dressing some of Australia's most recognisable names.
Alice Edgeley is the definition of Confidence in Style. Not borrowed or trend-driven. Refined and unmistakably her. To follow her story from our series, head to @madebyfressko_official.
Our new Pinot range is now live on the website,
View the EDGELEY custom-made gallery and store www.edgeley.com.au