Overheard

"I thought this was a shop but it's like a freakin' nightclub opening. I came straight from work and I'm dying of shame. Talk about wardrobe malfunction."

A distressed guest succumbs to fashion angst at the launch of Sportsgirl's Melbourne flagship store.

"My feeling is that shopping centre owners are happy when the lease is signed; what happens to the tenant after that is for the tenant to sort out."

Independent store owner Brandon Conway is not impressed with shopping centre landlords' lack of vision when trading gets tough.

"The fact is the luxury consumer today is resistant to spending money."

Luxury marketing guru Pam Danziger indicates rough times ahead for luxury brands due to the slowing US market.

"We really wanted to make it luxurious, indulgent and fun."

Keith Hyam explains maternity label Cake Lingerie's anti-fashion homage to the sweet tooth.

"Australia must be able to take a percentage of the world market, giving value in providing design, samples and ensuring the deliveries take place under a real compliance situation that is not cosmetic."

Clague Jeans founder Norman Clegg delineates Australia's future as an ethical supply chain facilitator in the global fashion market.

"Yes I too read [that] and questioned the girls … wondering whether I was a little uneducated."

Glad to hear we weren't the only ones planning a return trip to primary school. A sass & bide staffer denies a newspaper report which claimed the womenswear label had confirmed six store openings across Australia.

"I take my hat off to Westfield to be able to extract that kind of money."

You're hardly playing with Monopoly notes yourself there, Theo Onisforou. The property guru, who owns shopping strips in Paddington and Bowral, takes a swipe at Westfield's retail rental rates.

"I am off to India next week to interview some Bollywood actresses. I'll let you know if I run into any Aussie designers while I'm there."

All in a day's work, eh? Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt keeps a close ear to the ground in India for Ragtrader magazine. Any chance you could grab us a few wicked curries while you're there?

"I have a few friends there with me so we'll try to yell and scream as much as possible."

Who needs friends in high places when you've got friends with high notes? Friedrich Gray designer Ben Pollitt plans his strategy for attracting attention at Paris trade fair Rendez-Vous.