Mauricio Padilha

My name is Mauricio Padilha and I am the co-owner of MAO Public Relations, a firm based in New York City specialising in designer public relations, fashion show production, and event planning. We produced a few shows for Aurelio in New York City. The first was at a beautiful space in the Meatpacking District on the top floor of the Bumble and Bumble Studios. It was all glass windows with beautiful views of the New York City skyline.

Aurelio presented a gorgeous collection of very ethereal gowns, very goddess-like. I remember that there was an excitement in the air and that the New York fashion crowd was very eager to learn more about Aurelio. Our second show with Aurelio was his spring 2008 presentation at the historic Prince George Ballroom in the Flatiron District. The space has a neo-Renaissance look that complemented the romantic feel of his collection. Aurelio designed beautiful corseting and structured mini dresses, beaded bolero jackets, and mermaid-scale 3D textured bodices. Many publications called us immediately, requesting the looks for various editorials.

By spring 2009, Aurelio had gained a following in New York City among various socialites, fashion editors, and stylists, and he was ready to take his shows to the next level, which was at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park Tents, where every established designer was showing. The collection evolved from his fairy-like previous collections to a very modern customer with looks that were more architectural.

When Aurelio came to New York, there hadn't been many designers out of Australia showing here in Manhattan. There had been Zimmerman, but they were swimwear at that time and not a ready-to-wear collection. And Aurelio was, I believe, one of the first Australian designers to come to New York Fashion Week and show a full-rounded collection. There was a lot of editors that were extremely excited at the thought of him coming from Australia to show in New York City. And he was extremely well received. People loved interviewing him. He was a wonderful person and a really nice guy. And we really loved working with him. It was truly an honour.