Briefs
NATIONAL: The four-year-old London boutique responsible for introducing Australian labels Zimmermann and Rachel Gilbert into the United Kingdom has launched its own self-titled brand. Sisters Lindy Lopes and Katie Canvin, who are regular attendees at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, launched the eponymous label in time for the northern hemisphere spring/summer season. The collection features dresses, blouses and puff skirts with price points ranging between $A155 to $A362. Australian labels stocked at the store include AM Eyewear, Anna and Boy, Camilla and Marc and Yeojin Bae.
Dubarry honour
SYDNEY: Marine apparel group Storm Performance has been named as the new Australasian distributor for Irish footwear brand Dubarry. Storm takes over from Sydney competitor Burke Marine, which is believed to have held the Dubarry licence for the past five years. With styles including deck shoes and boots, the brand has recently added a casual clothing line to its range with a new collection of Country boots and clothing soon to be released. For more: 02 9907 4142.
TNA opens second
MELBOURNE: Sydney-based fashion public relations and events firm Trish Nicol Agency (TNA) has defied the economic downturn by opening a new office in Melbourne. The company, who counts Victorian labels including Toni Maticevski, Alannah Hill, Nobody Denim and footwear company Zu Shoes among its client base, has secured space in the heart of Melbourne's CBD to meet with clients. The agency - who also works with premium brands such as Cartier, Bentley and luxury property development The Residence Hyde Park - said it had yet to see a significant downturn in PR spend among its high-end brands despite the current economic climate. For more: 03 9650 4628.
Wool message spreads
SYDNEY: Wool marketing group Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has partnered with one of Hong Kong's most prestigious design schools to help it showcase Aussie merino wool. This year marked the third year in a row AWI has teamed with the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC) at its annual graduation fashion show with the aim of inspiring and educating students about what it terms "the natural fibre for fashion". Each student competed for 12 awards - two of which AWI sponsored - with the judging panel including fashion identities such as Lane Crawford visual director Mark Baumann and Worth Global Style Network Asia Pacific head of content Angelia Teo. The winners of the two awards won a trip to Australia where they will visit the Flinders Merino wool farms in Adelaide, wool auction houses and local retailers and manufacturers in Sydney.