Fletcher’s fresh NATIONAL: Men's and women's fashion retailer Fletcher Jones is undergoing a major store and design revamp leading into the next calendar year. The company has been producing garments since 1918, with the first store opened in Collins Street, Melbourne, in 1946. It is understood the company has appointed new designers to broaden its product offer and is in the process of developing a major store redesign for its retail network. Ragtrader is set to unveil the fresh strategy in coming editions, when Fletcher Jones cements an internal restructure.
Fur flies SYDNEY: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has teamed up with singing twins The Veronicas to target fashion designers with a graphic new anti-fur advertisement. The duo, Jess and Lisa Origliasso, hold a fake but realistic-looking skinned rabbit with the caption 'Here's the rest of your fur coat'. The campaign was unveiled in Sydney in late October. The move follows a recent PETA campaign against Australian kaftan designer Camilla Franks, who said she uses less than one per cent fur in her collections as trimmings. Activists staged a protest outside the Camilla flagship store in Bondi.
Stylish consultant MELBOURNE: The co-organiser of 2009 Melbourne Spring Fashion Week event The Spirit of the Black Dress has launched her own styling consultancy. Called Jane Hayes Consulting, the business is pitched at individuals who wish to overhaul their look and learn to shop more effectively. Hayes will specialise in corporate and personal styling as well as shopping tours. The Melbourne-based stylist has a background in advertising and retail, with roles as store manager and account manager for Australian boutiques and agencies.
NZ receivership NEW ZEALAND: Embattled womenswear chain Jean Jones may survive, according to its appointed receivership firm, Deloitte. Spokesman for Deloitte Mike Horne said the company appears to have a viable basic business model, with its problems cause primarily by factors external to the business. The receivers said the immediate priority is to restore stock volume to ensure stores could return to sufficient trade. It will then identify a buyer for the chain of 18 stores.
