new Qantas designer Martin Grant Martin Grant at David Jones Fashion designer Martin Grant and his spring summer collection at David Jones. PT2M0S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2z1ni 620 349 December 10, 2013 - 12:50AM When Martin Grant's designs were stocked in David Jones seven years ago, the Australian market was not sophisticated enough to embrace his elegant clothing. Grant's feminine dresses were popular across Europe, where the Australian-born designer is based, but it seemed his homeland was not ready for such poise and polish. David Jones dropped the Martin Grant brand due to poor sales, but on Monday the designer made a triumphant return to the department store to show his spring summer pre-collection. "I think Australian fashion has really changed": Martin Grant, centre, poses with models donning his European-inspired collection. "My collections are quite European and sophisticated and I think Australian fashion has really changed," Grant said. Australia has become very international now, so my brand sits well in this new environment. Belted trench coat dresses, sheaths and cocktail gowns were among the looks Grant presented in an intimate salon show. The dresses, in black, ivory and burnt orange, should appeal to the market in the lead up to Christmas. "One thing I find in Australia is that people do really get dressed up," Grant said. When there is an event they really make the effort and buy that special dress, so we have concentrated on occasion dressing and hopefully those pieces should do well. While Grant has been based in Paris for 25 years, he has a new focus that is decidedly Australian. On Wednesday, Qantas staff will don new uniforms he designed. It may sound corny, but although I've lived in Paris for a long time now, for me Australia is very much still home.