News Briefs

AG to mix things up
MELBOURNE: Following the success of its combined men’s and womenswear store in Sydney’s Chatswood, Arthur Galan AG has chosen to make its new Chadstone retail site in Melbourne another unisex venture. The product mix marks a departure from the usual retail format employed by the brand, which currently operates six stores across Melbourne and Sydney solely devoted to menswear. The label also has four dedicated womenswear stores. The Chadstone outlet is set to open in November.

Kookai gets arty
NATIONAL: Kookai is launching a series of collaborative T-shirt designs with notable Australian artists. The young womenswear brand will kick off its campaign in December, with a capsule offering from Melbourne illustrator Lulu McDermott, who has designed three tees priced at $70. The designs are inspired by tarot cards and feature dramatic, abstract female profiles, colourful detailing and jewel embellishments. Artist Bec Winnel, who specialises in soft pencil portraits, will create an exclusive design for release in February 2010. At least three other artists are in discussions for collaborations early next year.

Curves in demand
SYDNEY: Krites is launching a denim range for “real women” across Australia and New Zealand. The high-profile fashion agency has secured a management and distribution agreement with French Dressing Jeans (FDJ), a Montreal jeans brand known for its “tummy slimming” and “butt lifting” garments. Aimed at independent and specialty retail stores, the brand offers a range of jeans sized from 8 to 22 and priced between $200 and $250. All FDJ options have back pockets that run parallel to the waistline and feature front pockets to support a built-in tummy band.

Festival success
PERTH: Perth Fashion Festival organisers have declared the recent event its largest to date. Held from September 4 to 10, the event comprised 56 fashion events held over 20 venues, with 130 participating Western Australian designers and a team of 120 volunteers. Labels showing included Antipodium, Empire Rose, Ruth Tarvydas, Wheels and Dollbaby and Morrison.