Fernando Frisoni is sharp and clean, impeccably dressed in chinos and a blazer. He has a thick accent from his home, Sao Paulo, Brazil, even though he has lived in Sydney for 10 years now. He offers me a mint and as we chat backstage before his runway show at RAFW, I feel at ease. He is kind and warm and I can imagine just hanging out with him for a glass of wine and a laugh. It’s really comforting to meet someone so unaffected in a sea of scurrying PRs and flashing cameras. As the circus continues around us, we talk about his summer 10-11 range…

You began as a menswear designer. How has the transition into womenswear been for you?

It’s still a little bit androgynous, but I’m using very feminine fabrics.

Where did you find your inspiration for this collection?

Inspired by a girl from Sao Paulo, she goes to work, then for drinks and has to live in a city with 23 million people.

How do you feel about Australia?

It’s an exciting young country, I’m inspired by that. I love Australia and I couldn’t think of living anywhere else in the world. When I go to New York, Sao Paulo, I can’t think of anywhere in the world I’d rather come back to.

Tell us about the use of colour and texture in your collection.

I love the feathers. That’s a bit from Sao Paulo for me. And the red too- the Brazilian flag is red, black and white.

What’s on the cards for your next collection?

I don’t know yet. I go on holidays and when I come back its all there. I have shapes but not a theme. Just shapes.