Graduate showcase

QUEENSLAND: Queensland University of Technology's fashion design graduate show, dubbed In the Making, will be staged in Kelvin Grove on November 26. Featuring 21 of the university's emerging fashion designers and stylists, the event will also feature a selection of work from first and second year students, including an industry linked project with David Jones and entries to the Australian Fashion Design Awards. Tickets are $30 and can be booked by phoning: (07) 3864 5495.

:AWI gets fashionable
SYDNEY: Research and development organisation Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is hoping adding a fashion publicist to its ranks will help lift the interest in woollen textiles. The group has employed Melissa Grace as program manager fashion communications in a tailor-made role created as part of AWI's strategy of building relationships with designers, manufacturers and retailers
Grace, who has previously worked for sass & bide, Jigsaw and David Lawrence, will work with local designers to help them understand the fabrics that are now available, and how AWI can help bring them the best Australian Merino wool fabrics.

:DFO in CBD
MELBOURNE: Factory outlet brand DFO is to open a centre on the site of the redeveloped Spencer Street station complex, in the heart of Melbourne. The centre - due for completion within months - marks the latest stage of a dramatic expansion push by the retailer, which recently opened centres in Sydney's Homebush, Brisbane airport and Moorabbin and Essendon airports in Melbourne. Four more centres are currently in planning stages.

:New look NRA
FORTITUDE VALLEY: The National Retail Association (NRA) had adopted a new look, resulting in a change to both its website address and staff email addresses. The change, effective from November 1, has been introduced to better reflect the fact the NRA's expanded offering. The new website can be found at nra.net.au while staff can be contacted on initial.surname@nra.net.au or info@nra.net.au.

:Home textiles
FRANKFURT: Heimtextil 2006, the international trade fair for home textiles and commercial textiles will take place from January 11 to 14 and anticipates 3000 exhibitors and 90,000 visitors. A highlight of the event will be the forecasting exhibit the Trend Show, which will examine the future of home and household textiles.