SYDNEY: Western Australian retailers have made an ambitious bid for Victoria's position as the country's leading fashion capital, mounting the stage twice at the 2008 Ragtrader TNT Fashion Retailer of the Year Awards last night. Fremantle headquartered chain Morrison and womenswear boutique Love In Tokyo were among those who received a gong at the cocktail awards evening, which was staged at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.
The large chains category was dominated by Victorian based fashion houses, with Sussan Group-owned Sportsgirl and Gresham Private Equity-run womenswear chain Witchery taking to the podium in the over-20 chain category as winner and runner up respectively. However WA's Morrison pipped Melbourne's runner up Metalicus to win the award for best under-20 chain.
In the independent retailers' category, Melbourne boutique Grace Melbourne took out top gong and Fremantle's Love In Tokyo was named runner up.
Sydney store Girotondo won the best childrenswear store category ahead of Victorian runner up Mill & Mia.
Menswear emporium Harrolds, which has stores in both Sydney and Melbourne, showed its prowess in the menswear category, taking out the title for the third time ahead of awards newcomer Incu as runner up.
For more, pick up a copy of Ragtrader's November 28 edition.