ispystyle founder kate Vandermeer has agreed to join buying veteran Sarah Gale in standing in judgement of some of the most innovative fashion retailers in the country.
Back for her second year in the hot seat, Vandermeer will partner with Gale in judging the chain store category for the keenly contested 2009 TNT Ragtrader Fashion Retailer of the Year Awards.
With just two weeks to go before applications close, entries have begun pouring in for the awards, which aim to celebrate Australian fashion’s retailing elite.
Vandermeer and Gale will be joined by some of the industry’s brightest lights to help Ragtrader staff narrow a field of 100-plus entries down to a shortlist of finalists.
Ultimately, just six category winners will be rewarded.
The full list of categories in this year’s awards, the sixth since its inception, includes under-20 and over-20 chains, as well as best childrenswear retailer, best menswear retailer and best womenswear retailer in the boutique category.
The best department store is also up for grabs with the winner determined by a special jury. Judging for the awards takes place next month with winners announced in Sydney in October. Entry forms are available at ragtrader.com.au