The latest in our Confidence in Style series is Erik Yvon; a Melbourne-based designer and the creative force behind his namesake label, an inclusive fashion house shaped by identity, culture, and self-expression.
His approach to design is deeply personal. Drawing from his Mauritian heritage and queer identity; a culmination of colour, texture, and form in a way that feels both expressive and deliberate. It’s less about fitting into fashion, and more about using it as a means of communication - a visual language reflects who he is and the communities he moves within.
Spanning ready-to-wear, accessories, and collaborations, Erik also brings other creatives into the fold, bringing about a sense of community that is central to what he’s building - a space where different perspectives and identities can exist alongside each other.
Erik cut his teeth, training under iconic Australian fashion house Romance Was Born after graduating from RMIT before launching his own label. Now a regular on the Australian runway circuit, his work has been shown at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Week and Melbourne Fashion Festival. He has also been recognised with Toblerone's inaugural “Never Square” Designer Award in partnership with Vogue Australia.
More recently, Erik has brough his world into a physical space. In 2025, he opened Shop Dussy in Brunswick - A retail store, studio hybrid. At the front, you’ll find his own pieces alongside a curated selection of emerging designers, with a focus on independent, queer, and POC creatives. The space was created to support underrepresented voices, but it doesn’t feel exclusive. It’s open, accessible, a place where anyone is welcome.
At the back the space shifts into his studio where ideas are still taking shape and garments are developed. The process sits alongside the finished work.
We paid Erik a visit at Shop Dussy to see how it all comes together. He walked us through works in progress and new releases, including a new Erik Yvon leather bag, he admits he rarely leaves the house without - a small but telling reflection of how closely he connects to what he creates
He describes his personal style as bold, colourful, and textural, though he is a firm believer that it goes beyond what you wear. It’s about expressing who you are without needing to explain it.
“It reflects your personality, your culture, and your creativity.”
He also muses that comfort is the recipe for a good outfit, but ultimately that true style comes from authenticity “Yeah, you've got to feel comfortable with what you wear” he says.
When it comes to inspiration and whether he would steal anyone's style, he points to Lil’ Kim, tapping into that same unapologetic energy. But ultimately, everything comes back to authenticity.
“True style comes from authenticity. It is when someone feels comfortable being themselves and uses fashion as a way to communicate their identity.”
That sense of self feeds directly into his confidence, which for him, it isn’t something you put on, it’s something you build over time, through trusting your instincts and showing up as you are.
“What makes me confident is believing in what I create and staying true to who I am. When I work with passion and authenticity, it gives me a strong sense of purpose. Confidence also comes from accepting yourself and not being afraid to express your ideas and individuality."
For those trying to figure out their own style, his advice is simple: “be true to yourself, and everything else falls away.”
We also asked Erik to put together a Confidence in Style playlist for Radio Fressko. A mix of what he’s currently listening to, and what gives him a confidence boost. You can listen here:
For more from the Confidence in Style series, follow @madebyfressko_official
