Australian Fashion Designer Reveals Shocking Health Diagnosis, Forced to Close Brand

Australian Designer Alice McCall Closes Brand Amid Health Crisis
(Image: Alice McCall posing in a floral dress, caption: "Alice McCall, 48, announced her brand’s closure due to a devastating health battle.")

Australian fashion designer Alice McCall has shuttered her iconic label again, citing severe health challenges, including a potential bone cancer diagnosis. The 48-year-old revealed on Instagram that she has multiple lesions on her pelvic bone and vertebrae and is awaiting test results. She also fears an adverse reaction to a radioactive IV treatment during cancer hospital visits.

“I’m gutted to close my brand, but I can’t work right now,” McCall wrote, thanking partners for their support. Her focus now is on healing: “I need to cultivate light and love.”

Rapid Health Decline
(Image: McCall’s Instagram post screenshot, caption: "McCall shared her struggle with spinal lesions and possible cancer.")

McCall’s health struggles began years earlier. In June, she was diagnosed with foraminal stenosis, a spinal condition causing nerve compression, pain, and numbness. A year prior, she revealed a functional neurological disorder (FND), disrupting brain-body communication. Symptoms escalated rapidly: “I’m losing sensation in my skin, my muscles are deteriorating, and even holding a cup is hard,” she shared.

FND, often misunderstood, causes physical symptoms like weakness or seizures without structural damage. McCall described feeling “energetically unplugged” since 2023, seeking answers from doctors, healers, and psychics. “It’s isolating—people don’t see it, but it’s real,” she said.

Brand Struggles and Controversial Comeback
(Image: Shein x Alice McCall collection, caption: "McCall’s 2023 Shein collaboration faced criticism.")

Founded in 2004, Alice McCall’s brand became synonymous with feminine, whimsical designs adored by celebrities and magazines. However, the pandemic led to liquidation in 2023, with $1 million in debts. Her 2023 collaboration with fast-fashion giant Shein sparked backlash due to environmental and ethical concerns, but the collection sold out. A 2024 follow-up faced similar criticism.

Uncertain Future
McCall’s health leaves her unable to continue. “Designing is my passion, but my body is failing,” she wrote. Fans and peers have flooded her with support, hoping for her recovery.

What Are McCall’s Conditions?

• Foraminal Stenosis: Spinal nerve openings narrow, causing pain/numbness.
• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Brain signaling issues leading to physical symptoms.

(Image: McCall at a fashion event, caption: "The designer’s label was a red-carpet staple before its closure.")

McCall’s story highlights the fragility of health and creativity. As she prioritizes wellness, the fashion world awaits updates, hoping for her triumphant return.