Who: GOOP buying director Patrick Devlin.
What compelled you to add Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to your buying schedule this year?
We all want to see as much as possible and discover newness - the more ground we cover the more opportunity there is to offer today's savvy shopper something that isn't as accessible as what we see in the main four cities.
What are some of the brands you are looking forward to seeing in Australia?
I can't wait to see what young and upcoming talents bring but always keen to see Karla Spetic, Maticevski, Jayson Brunsdon, Alice McCall and of course my fellow Perth-onality Ellery.
What are the requirements or key selling points Australian designers need to have to secure your interest?
Awareness of the global market not only within trends and aesthetic but quality and price point.
Do you currently stock any Australian brands? If so, can you name a few?
So far it's just Suvana amongst our beauty offer. We are keen to introduce Australian brands into our other categories.
On a broader international level, what are some of the best performing brands among your customer base?
We do well with everything from Stella McCartney and 3.1 Phillip Lim through to younger contemporary brands like Mother Of Pearl and Nili Lotan.
With so many fashion labels in the market, what are the factors buyers consider before deciding to take on a new brand?
Will they resonate with the customer base; how does this add to the customer's experience and therefore the business? Are they a long term partner with growth potential worth investing time and manpower in?
Are there any challenges with working with brands in the Southern Hemisphere?
Only for the timezone hurdles with scheduling phone call meetings and less face to face interaction!