DDB Speedos off
:Scoping for sizing
MELBOURNE: The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has completed the initial reporting stage of a national consortium on sizing inaugurated earlier this year. TFIA executive director Ashley Van Krieken said the organisation had entered the second "scoping" stage, which he hopes to complete by the end of the year. This will determine the best methodology for the study. Van Krieken said the industry body is considering whether it will purchase other studies undertaken abroad and also whether it will need to survey every major city in Australia or focus on the main capitals.
SYDNEY: A new fashion accessories company is hoping to fuel the resurrection of big bracelets. Friends Dani Kidd and Haley Gray have used the bracelet as the launch piece for their new label, candy from strangers. Having officially launched the brand last month, the label appears to have attracted a lot of interest among buyers and is already stocked in 40 stores across New South Wales and Queensland.
IFC up-skills
MELBOURNE: The International Fibre Centre (IFC) is hosting a half-day seminar in Melbourne exploring new approaches to skills development in the textile industry. The seminar will cover the latest eLearning products designed for textile businesses and the IFC's new developments in training programs for fibre technology, dyeing and wool. The event's keynote speaker is David Kelly from the Textile Human Resources Council of Canada (THRC). For more: 03 5227 2370.
La Senza hits Oz
SYDNEY: Canadian lingerie company La Senza will open its first Australian store in September. The store, which will be located at Westfield Bondi Junction, will stock the company's latest range of push-up bras, babydolls and sleepwear in an assortment of colours. La Senza currently operate more than 450 stores across the world.
TFIA's FTA advice
MELBOURNE: The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has urged Australian fashion companies to prepare themselves for the impact of international free trade agreements (FTA) with other countries as well as China. TFIA executive director Ashley Van Krieken said many textile clothing and footwear (TCF) businesses were "very focused on China, and rightly so, but they should not forget that there are three other agreements going ahead, with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates." Companies should access regular updates on all FTAs affecting Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website, located at dfat.gov.au, he said.
SYDNEY: Entertainment and apparel retailer Brazin has decided to rid itself of its non-performing brands Ghetto & Insane. As a result of a review of its footwear and new business development divisions, the company will rationalise about 24 of its Ghetto stores and sell the remaining 13. It also plans to divest itself of its 17 Insane stores. The group has named its apparel division (BNT) as a core focus for the group in the future.