Cooper comeback

BRISBANE: Fresh from courting controversy at the recent Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, irreverent Sydney-based London-born designer Wayne Cooper has got another thing to crow about - a new flagship store. The store, in Brisbane's Wintergarden Arcade, is the designer's first retail foray into Queensland, with six other stores across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The designer, who fell on hard times in recent years after being forced to place his company into voluntary liquidation, joins the refurbished Veronika Maine and Maiocchi fashion stores as well as Lisa Ho and Carla Zampatti in calling the centre home. For more: 07 3229 0294.

Retail shrinkage talk
SYDNEY: A UK-based expert on retail shrinkage will headline a unique workshop being held by the Australian Source Tagging Alliance (ASTA) later this month. Professor Joshua Bamfield, from the UK Centre for Retail Studies, is set to make his way down under to speak at the May 30 event where he is expected to discuss the European retail shrinkage problem and methods of addressing it in front of a crowd of Australian retailers. Staged at the Bella Vista offices of national chain Woolworths, the event starts at 10am. For more: asta.com.au

Myer's new face
MELBOURNE: Department store Myer has had a changing of the guard among its executive ranks with Judy Coomber named the brand's new director of apparel. Coomber, formerly the director of cosmetics, intimate apparel, youth and childrenswear, replaces Myer stalwart Bob Boutin who announced his resignation late last month. His departure follows that of Myer's high profile womenswear business manager, Mark Bingemann, in March and Jasmine Bingemann, the company's former business manager footwear.

Katie's collections
MELBOURNE: Innovative fashion artist Katie Pye is set to stage her own exhibition at Victoria's NGV Australia Myer Fashion and Textiles Gallery later this month. Renowned for her ability to fuse the boundaries between art and fashion, the designer was best known for showing collections under her own label as well as designing costumes for film and music video clips for Australian bands Rose Tattoo, Pseudo Echo and Real Life. The exhibition, dubbed 'Katie Pye: Clothes for Modern Lovers', will include more than 30 garments alongside contextual photography and video works. The exhibition runs from May 26 to January 13. For more: 03 8662 1553.

Lorna learnings
FORTITUDE VALLEY: An increasing client base has forced activewear brand Lorna Jane to rearrange its marketing team. Stephanie Down has taken over as the brand's marketing manager, replacing Triona Maddick who has left the company to pursue outside interests. Meanwhile newcomer Emily Marsden has been appointed to the newly created position of marketing coordinator. For more: 07 3252 5552.