Darlings of Australian fashion join forces

Two prominent figures of Australian fashion, Christine Forsyth and Brigid McLaughlin, have launched an upmarket womenswear label. Forsyth, who worked as an operations manager with the Oroton Group, and McLaughlin, once head of design for Lisa Ho and David Lawrence, believe the label's strength lies in years of joint design and management experience.
"We decided to form the label [dubbed forsythmclaughlin] after listening to friends, family and acquaintances about their frustrations with the Australian market for many years," said McLaughlin.
"Whilst working in the industry we've travelled extensively and have also noticed this gap in the Australian market place.
"We aspire to deliver 'classic with an edge' and to fill the gap that labels such as Nicole Farhi, Joseph and Betty Jackson do in the UK but with our own unique handwriting."
Manufactured in Australia and China, the debut summer 2006 collection features a range of jackets, shorts, coats, pants, dresses, knits and skirts made from a blend of cottons and silks.
Forsyth said attention to detail and high quality fabrics are integral to each creation.
"The range is produced entirely from natural fabrications; largely silks and cottons for summer. There are no synthetics and even the linings are natural."
"For winter, we are looking forward to working closely with Australian Wool Innovation to showcase merino wool in a modern directional light. This is something I am personally very passionate about because my family have a Merino Stud in Central NSW and I've grown up immersed in the wool industry."
Currently withholding their national stockist list, Forsyth and McLaughlin said the range would retail from $169.99 to $599.99.