stylefile launch

NATIONAL: Australian government trade body Austrade has launched stylefile, an online export marketing tool for Australian fashion, accessories and homewares designers. Located at stylefile.com.au, the site is designed to showcase Australian design talent to international buyers, agents, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, interior designers and media.

:Foot first
Australia's footwear industry is poised to stamp its footprint on the apparel industry, launching its own stand-alone shoe fair. It is anticipated the fair, in Sydney in February and in Melbourne in August, will attract more than 100 exhibitors while more than 2000 footwear retailers are also expected to attend. Developed as a result of demand from suppliers and industry stakeholders, the event been supported by Frontline Stores and Associated Retailers (Shoex). For more: email shoe@aec.net.au

:Fibre Vision
MELBOURNE: The 2005 Technical Textiles and Nonwoven Association (TTNA) annual conference - titled Fibre Vision - will feature papers on future trends in natural and man-made fibres, fibre development and end-use applications. The conference - taking place at Aitken Hill Conference Centre on November 15 - is intended to give industry leaders access to the latest research and product innovations for technical textiles and nonwoven technologies. For more: tel 03 9866 6643.

:Bracewell outlet
MELBOURNE: Womenswear retailer Bracewell has opened a factory outlet store in central Melbourne. Located on Carson Place, the store stocks a range of labels including sass & bide and Mavi, all of which are significantly discounted.

:Dean gets HK nod
MELBOURNE: Garment consignment specialist Dean World Cargo - which has carried orders from China and Hong Kong to Australia and New Zealand for nearly 20 years - has won a major award for Business Entrepreneurial achivement from the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA). The award recognises an HKABA member who has "performed with entrepreneurial skill and excellence in terms of bilateral trade of products and services over the year between Hong Kong, greater China and Victoria."

:Clarification
SYDNEY: In its coverage of Coles Myer Limited's (CML) year-end results [September 9 edition], CEO John Fletcher was quoted as saying, "The fact is that Myer stores have been outmanoueuvred by specialty stores", in reference to the company's ownership review. This was incorrect. Ragtader regrets the error.