FACEBOOK FEEDBACK HOBART: Witchery and Witchery Man are using Facebook to keep Tasmanian customers in touch with store development plans. Neither retail brand currently has a store anywhere on the Apple Isle and while the company’s store development team continues to hunt for ideal locations, the retailer has also encouraged Facebook fans to suggest where the debut sites should be. Over 20 Witchery fans have offered up ideas including Salamanca and Liverpool and Collins Streets in Hobart. Witchery is taking “all suggestions into account”.
COMPLAINT UPHELD MELBOURNE: The Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) has upheld a complaint that argued American Apparel’s Australian website featured highly suggestive and sexualised images, including one suggestive of ‘sexting’, or sending pornographic images via text message. The board determined the images “were not appropriate considering that the target audience of the advertisement is likely to include young men and women – the same audience considered to be ‘at risk’ with regards to the issue of ‘sexting’.” American Apparel has since removed the material from its Australian website.
THE LUXURIOUS LANE NATIONAL: Premium bridalwear labels will soon have a website devoted to promoting their top tier designs. The Lane (www.thelane.com) will launch on July 1 and will showcase select designers’ bridal collections, runway shows, profiles and contact information. The site will also incorporate a wedding industry directory with product categories including bridesmaids, flower girls, shoes, suits, fine jewellery and lingerie. The Lane will also provide links to non-fashion businesses such as florists.
RELAUNCH FOR LAUNCH INITIATIVE SYDNEY: Web-based company Launch Initiative, which aims to support up-and-coming designers by hosting online design competitions and subsequently producing and selling the winning creations, has undergone an overhaul. In addition to a redesigned website, the company now only accepts mail orders and will take designers’ formal experience and education into account when judging competitions. The Launch Initiative blog will also feature contributions from its designer members.
