Briefs
PLUS SIZE TOURS
MELBOURNE: Victorian retailers stocking plus size labels will shortly be exposed to a new audience following the launch of a unique business targeted exclusively at the needs of females sized 16 and over. Dubbed Real Women, the venture runs organised shopping tours to hand-picked retail and wholesale fashion venues specialising in plus size women’s apparel. Founded by Janine Mison, the initiative will also see the launch of mystery shopping evenings where groups of up to 12 will be taken to selected boutiques for closed door sales opportunities. For more: 03 9014 7306.
BEGGING FOR ATTENTION
MELBOURNE: Hand-painted silk designer Natalie Begg will soon have her range available through department store David Jones. Her eponymous label, which includes sleepwear, lingerie, outerwear, resortwear and accessories, has been picked up by the New South Wales-headquartered group and will be available on shelves from August. The six-year-old label, based in Melbourne’s Brunswick, is stocked in around 50 boutiques throughout Australia. For more: 03 9314 8885.
MONEY OFFER
NATIONAL: Applications for the federal government’s Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) 2008/09 are now open. Open to all TCF Australian ABN holders whose total income is $50 million or less and who have spent at least $10,000 on eligible export promotional activities during the past financial year, the EMDG scheme reimburses up to 50 per cent of expenses incurred and provides up to eight grants to each eligible applicant. Applications close November 30. For more: 13 28 78.
BRIEFLY THERE
NATIONAL: Lingerie brand Berlei, which made its name producing form fitting bras, has expanded into women’s briefs. The launch range features four cuts: G-string, bikini, full brief as well as a new cut designed specifically for jeans it has named ‘jeanious’. The range, which will be stocked in both David Jones and Myer as well as selected boutiques nationally, will be available in a neutral colour palette of black, nude and alabaster as well as navy. The collection, which will retail for between $20 and
$30, will be launched with a $1 million television and print advertising campaign.