Everything
Even before Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo launched his skincare line, Michael Lo Sordo Beauty, he was thinking of skin. Skin as it’s seen through the silhouettes of his dresses and recently introduced menswear. And skin as it feels enclosed with the silks that are a signature fibre for his creations. Moving into beauty, and launching the line with products specifically for the body, feels almost inevitable considering how much the sensual body is the motivation in his work.
“I have always been personally obsessed with skincare and maintaining the best regimen especially after being out in the sun,” Lo Sordo tells ICON. “My Mediterranean genes can only take me so far! Producing a beauty line has been in the growth trajectory for the brand for a long time, and after 10 years in business it felt like the natural next step.”
Explaining the inspiration behind the body oils, Lo Sordo said, “I wanted to create a product for myself, first and foremost… I was inspired by the softness and sheen of the fabrics I work with.” This led to the development of an oil that encapsulates the fluidity and elegance of his fashion designs, offering a dry-finish, nutrient-rich experience that suits all skin types and leaves no residue on clothes.
The collection is distinguished by its use of Australian botanicals, including Kakadu Plum, Baobab, and Quandong. Lo Sordo explains, “It was important to me to blend my Italian heritage with my Australian upbringing. Australian botanicals are some of the most unique and efficacious in the world.” The inclusion of Rainforest Blue, crafted from sustainably sourced Australian Rosewood bark, further underscores the brand’s commitment to eco-conscious production.
Alongside creating a line of products that were built on efficacy and luxury, sustainability was a cornerstone of the production process. Lo Sordo elaborates, “As a brand, we operate to an ethos of sustainable production… We partnered with local, BSI-certified suppliers to ensure that our products are being made with the planet in mind.” This approach ensures that the beauty products align with the brand’s overall mission of fostering a meaningful relationship with the environment.
Lo Sordo’s personal interest in skincare and his desire to complement the brand’s fashion offerings inspired the move into the beauty industry. “Producing a beauty line has been in the growth trajectory for the brand for a long time,” he comments, noting that after a decade in business, this expansion felt like a natural progression.
The Por Il Corpo line begins with three products: The ‘Olio Frizzante Sparkling Body Oil – Il Sole’ is designed to bestow a youthful and seductive glow on the skin, enriched with vitamins for both hydration and protection. ‘Olio Frizzante Sparkling Body Oil – L’Eclissi’ mirrors the attributes of ‘Il Sole’, focusing on creating a radiant and attractive skin appearance, suitable for all skin types. Lastly, ‘Olio Frizzante Sparkling Body Oil – La Luna’ enhances the collection, sharing the same goal of providing an irresistible, radiant effect with its blend of radiance-boosting botanicals
Among the line, Il Sole stands out as Lo Sordo’s personal favourite, boasting over 125 compounds and minerals and 8 vitamins in its seabuckthorn oil component. “It has amazing soothing properties that are great for scarring and acne,” he adds, highlighting its multifaceted benefits.
While the term body oil tends to be marketed towards women, Lo Sordo bucked the trend here and instead opted to make men the focus of the launch. The campaign, featuring model Jordan Barrett, is a strategic move to broaden the product’s appeal, particularly among men. Lo Sordo observes, “The male skincare category is showing incredible growth… We see a strong appetite for universal products that can easily be incorporated into a beauty routine.”
Michael Lo Sordo Beauty and Per Il Corpo will be available exclusively at michaellosordo.com.
