Right on Cue SYDNEY: High street retailer Cue has commissioned award-winning architectural firm Lippmann Partnership for the design of its flagship store at Pitt Street, Westfield. The firm is responsible for the design of the iconic Andrew Boy Charlton Pool and Butterfly House in Sydney. While the store opening is still nine months away, Cue executive director Justin Levis confirmed the “double-height” shopfront would include a grand architectural feature running its entire length. “We’ve got a corner site at one of the main entrances - the store is only 100sqm internally but the shopfront will give the appearance of a really grand, enormous, flagship statement.”
Light on horizon NATIONAL: National retail turnover during January 2010 grew two per cent in comparison to January 2009, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Seasonally adjusted figures show a 1.2 per cent increase in January sales; with department stores up 7.2 per cent and clothing, footwear and personal accessories growing by 2.9 per cent. The two categories showed stronger increases than other retail sectors nationally, such as household goods and food retailing.
Change in direction SYDNEY: Luxury fashion retailer Belinda has restructured its marketing department. Long-serving communications head Anthony Whittle has now moved on to work for womenswear brand Morrison. Belinda PR representative Lia-Belle King is responsible for all enquiries relating to the company’s network of stores which include Belinda, The Corner Shop, The Frock Exchange and Marni. Meanwhile BSpr, the retailer’s external PR agency, is also understood to have been consolidated with clients Calvin Klein Jeans, Woodford & Co and Citizens of Humanity now represented by other agencies.
Two to tango NATIONAL: The Australian Ballet has continued to build ties with the local fashion industry, enlisting independent label Alpha60 to design a limited-edition range of t-shirts. Just 100 ‘Ballet V Alpha60’ t-shirts, with hand-numbered swing tags, will be sold exclusively through australianballet.com.au/shop for $50. Siblings Alex and George Clearly launched Alpha60 in 2005.
