Import start-up brings Italian style to Oz

Renowned Melbourne womenswear designer Susie Gallagher has established an import business specialising in high-end Italian womenswear.
VFC Imports - established in Melbourne as a joint venture with Italian entrepreneur Tiziana Collucio - launches its inaugural wholesale label Anna Rita N this month [August].
According to co-founder Gallagher the label's sample collection comprises around 190 pieces, including knitwear, jackets, pants and silk tops in a colour palette of sage, avocado, chocolate and aqua blue.
"It's a very diverse product and we've been struck by the fact that every buyer chooses a different combination of styles," she said.
The inaugural winter range included Italian leather and suede jackets and accessories including boots, belts and bags, all of which were produced in Italy, she added.
"This makes the collection especially exciting, as the quality of Italian leather goods is second to none," she claimed.
The range carries affordable price tags, with ladies co-ordinates retailing at around $200 to $300, leather and suede jackets retailing at $700 to $900 and the most expensive fur-lined suede jacket retailing at $1300.
Anna Rita N is available through selected Melbourne boutiques including Gallagher's eponymous store, Cactus Jam, Della Spiga and Ciberia.
The label was also available through outlets in Perth and on the Gold Coast, and VFC was in negotiations with specialty stores in Sydney, explained Gallagher.
"We're striving to build the label up well with about 20 retailers across the country, as we believe it would be a folly to over-expose a brand of this calibre," she said.
The label is Gallagher's first sortie into wholesaling, following the success of her retail womenswear label Susie Gallagher, established a number of years ago.
"There are certainly opportunities for both labels to be sold together in future," she claimed.

The Anna Rita N comprises around 190 pieces, including knitwear, jackets, pants and silk tops