Fast-forward three decades, and Montesano is the brains behind one of Australia’s most exciting labels, Signor Mont Couture.
While the charming Melburnian’s career as a designer was written in the stars, it took a long journey – with a few detours along the way – before fate caught up with him.
But everything in the 34-year-old’s life leading up to that point had a role to play.
Montesano was raised in an Italian family, with his father hailing from the Calabrian town of Capistrano and his mother migrating from Marsiconuovo, in Basilicata.
“My upbringing was definitely a mixture of two worlds,” he explained.
“While my parents are fairly modern, I spent a lot of time with my nonna, Anna, as a child.
“There was always a juxtaposition of the modern Australian way of life and that very old Italian mentality, both of which I was influenced by.”
Montesano is the oldest of two siblings, and the only boy.
“My father might’ve dreamed of a son who would follow the family trade of butchering like he did, or a son who loved footy and fishing, but as these things often pan out, he got a dressmaker who hates both footy and fishing,” the designer laughed.
“He’s still very proud though.”
Like that of most young Italo-Australians, Montesano’s childhood was characterised by elaborate family functions, from baptisms to weddings.
“These were the things I always loved – the chance to get dressed up, to show la bella figura.
“I understood at a young age that the way things look is very important – not in the shallow, materialistic sense, but rather the way things look influences the way we feel, and that beauty is the ultimate form of empowerment.
“For me, fashion is a means to power, self-discovery and self-expression, and is a weapon used for good when we are authentic and true to our own style.”
Signor Mont garments. (Photo: Lisa Frieling Photography)
Montesano’s aunt, a gifted seamstress, would make outfits for his mother and sister to wear to these family events.
“I would watch her stitch as a toddler and by the age of four, I’d be using her leftover scraps to make gowns for my sister’s Barbie collection, which I always stole,” he said.
By the time Montesano was in primary school, his aunt would make outfits based on his designs.
“A hint of things to come, even though at that time, we had no idea it would be my career one day,” Montesano mused.
But as he got older, Montesano began to feel ashamed of his passion, and he decided to step away from design in his teens.
He pursued a career as a primary school teacher but, after almost a decade in the classroom, Montesano could no longer defy his destiny.
And so, Signor Mont was born.
Montesano built his business from the ground up, using his long service leave from teaching to furnish his first store.
“In hindsight, I think [the wait] was a blessing in disguise,” he said.
“Fashion can be a cut-throat industry and my younger self would never have had the grit and self-belief I have now.
“I think stepping away from my passion for all that time ended up making my desire to succeed stronger.”
Blogger Sophie Cachia, also known as “The Young Mummy”, in her Signor Mont wedding dress. (Photo: Nicole Taranto Photography)
Signor Mont pieces are a reflection of both Montesano’s innate creative talent and strong Italian roots.
While he cites Italian culture and history as the greatest influence on his style, the Renaissance and Baroque art in general can be felt in each of his designs.
“Not necessarily in their actual details (although these often make an appearance), but more in the mindset aligned with these movements,” he explained.
“To me, the Renaissance was a period where the power of the mind was recognised, and where art, history, culture, knowledge and the future all collided.
“Baroque art is about evoking emotion in the viewer, looking at classicism and reinterpreting it.
“If the pieces I design can possess a deeper meaning, empower and enrich the wearer, change someone’s perception, or evoke an emotion, then I can rest assured I have drawn on these mindsets as I intended to.”
A golden example of this is Montesano’s most coveted piece to date: his sister’s one of a kind wedding dress.
Montesano tracked down 170-year-old lace from Venice and spent two years collecting every piece of Burano lace he could find, even drawing on the skills of a local woman who still practises the ancient craft.
Anthony Montesano’s sister, Anne, in her Signor Mont wedding dress. (Photo: Rachael Michelle Ogle)
“That dress is a piece of art that has 170 years of history,” he said.
“All the lace was hand-made in Italy over many years.”
When asked what kind of woman would don a Signor Mont dress, the designer responded in true Anthony Montesano fashion: “It’s a bit of la bella figura meets the Mob boss.”
More specifically, he said Signor Mont women are “self-made” and “don’t sit around waiting for approval”.
“They are intelligent, appreciate quality and don’t subscribe to fashion just to keep up with the pack,” he added.
“The Signor Mont woman is a leader; she is feared, but also demure and respectable.
“But above all, she’s a woman who loves beauty.”
One common thread throughout Montesano’s life is the presence of strong, intelligent female mentors, so it’s no surprise that’s precisely the kind of woman his masterpieces are designed for.
Montesano’s dream is to “show women how to lead” just like his role models, and “how to learn to adore their own uniqueness and individuality”.
Anthony Montesano. (Photo: Rachael Michelle Ogle)
Individuality is Montesano’s middle name, and if there’s one thing the designer loathes, it’s trends or “fads”.
“They are new, become popular, saturate culture, and then are despised as quickly as they rose to fame,” he said.
“On the other hand, when one dresses in a way that embraces one’s individuality, this always remains classic.
“Working with your body shape and accentuating your best features – these things have nothing to do with trends.
“This is where the beauty of dressing has real meaning.”
Montesano parted with some words of wisdom, encouraging readers to follow their dream, whatever it is.
“Don’t get caught up in the details, and never let fear stop you from doing anything,” he concluded.
“The more unlikely the dream, the more special it is when it comes true.”
