Big men

In an attempt to make its brand more accessible, menswear label Ron Bennett has launched an online store ronbennett.com.au. The website will feature collections from the main line and the Ron Bennett Big Mens Clothing range which includes trousers, shirts, jeans, knitwear, socks, coats, suits, t-shirts and underwear. The online shop is set to supplement sales from two Ron Bennett clothing stores in Sydney and one in Brisbane.

:Burberry blossoms
SYDNEY: British brand Burberry has opened a flagship store in the middle of Sydney. The King Street store, the brand's second in Australia, occupies three flours with the interior based on Burberry London's Bond Street store. Included in the mix of ready-to-wear ranges in the store are its trademark trench coats, together with men's and women's apparel, accessories and eyewear. An official launch is expected to take place in September.

:Cash designs
NATIONAL: Six fashion, jewellery and textile designers are vying for a international scholarship after being announced as finalists in a national competition. The six: Nicholas Wilsdon (QLD), Anna McEachran (WA), Sarah Perry (NSW) and Elke Doust, Emma Grace and Eva Marie Podsiadlowski (all VIC) - has been included on a shortlist of 25 finalists, aiming to win the six $10,000 scholarship offered as part of British Council Australia's 2006 Realise Your Dream program. The winners of the award will be announced during a special awards ceremony in the Sydney Opera House on September 20.

:Rivetting retail
MELBOURNE: The 2006 National Retail Forum will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from September 19 - 21. The forum will feature over 25 local and international speakers including Commercial Director of the Just Group, Glenys Shearer, retail specialist and author, David Jenkin AM and learning expert Dr Elizabeth Gibson. Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 19 to 21, the conference will focus on "Optimising Retail Performance" with to
:Jewellers secret
NATIONAL: Rogue traders are being blamed for the news that nearly two out of every three people distrust their jewellers. A survey conducted by independent diamond grading service the Diamond Certification Laboratory (DCLA), found that 70 per cent of respondents didn't or rarely trusted their jewellers. This comes despite the fact a further 35 per cent admitted selecting their jeweller based on reputation. DCLA claimed there had been many cases where a jeweller's valuation had been biased, showing details that significantly overvalued the item.