Briefs
GREEN LIGHT FOR AFFRIC
MELBOURNE: An injection of $37 million in funding from the federal government will ensure the development of a new cutting-edge textiles and fibres centre will go ahead in Geelong, Victoria. The Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) will be home to 300 researchers and students and will develop materials that will assist in increasing the competitiveness of the Australian textile manufacturing sector. The $102 million facility is also being funded by Deakin University, the CSIRO and the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.
SEXY SETS
NATIONAL: Target is capitalising on the release of Sex and the City 2 with the launch of a lingerie range inspired by the series. Featuring 12 sets, the collection incorporates balconette bras and briefs, chemises, a bustier and a satin playsuit. Rosettes, bows, lace, pleating and prints add feminine touches to the designs and the collection’s colour palette spans pale blues and pinks to red. Sizes range from 8 to 16 for briefs and 10B to 14DD for bras. Prices stretch from $15 to $49. It is available in Target stores nationally.
HARROLDS BAGS BRIONI
MELBOURNE: Harrolds has boosted its bag collection by stocking the latest leather goods from Italian fashion house Brioni. The label’s key item this winter is the duffel bag which retails for $5990, joining its weekender bag ($7990) and briefcase ($4550). Other labels featured in Harrolds’ accessories collection include Paul Smith, Pal Zileri and Piquadro. The boutique menswear retailer also added Marsell shoes to its range in April 2010.
BOUND FOR NYC
MELBOURNE: After debuting their spring/summer 2010/11 collection to local and international buyers in April, the designers behind womenswear label Mina & Katusha have revealed they are pursuing an invite to showcase at New York Fashion Week. The two-year-old label is the brainchild of Katya Baxter and Sarina Zammit. “We are thrilled to be invited – it has been a dream to get to New York Fashion Week – and we intend to put in the hard work to ensure that the Mina & Katusha label makes an impression overseas,” Zammit said. The label is produced in Melbourne and is available in sizes 8 to 18.