Formalwear retailer cracks the big time
QUEENSLAND: Fresh from conquering the bright lights of Bald Hills, Formalwear distributor Hills in Hollywood (HIH) has now turned its attention to the red carpets of Sydney and Melbourne.
The brand, which boasts more than 35 retail outlets across Australia and New Zealand, has been invited by commercial television station The Seven Network to provide the wardrobe for several of its shows.
The invitation came about after the retailer dressed a number of the network's stars - including Kate Langbroek (Dancing with the Stars), Today Tonight host Naomi Robson and Julie Nihill (Blue Heelers) - for this year's TV Week Logie Awards.
HIH managing director Tom Rowley said the deal, for an undisclosed sum, involved supplying the wardrobes for many of the network's new shows including Wheel of Fortune, Take Two and other shows yet to be advised.
The company - which has the exclusive distribution rights for American labels Nightmoves Prom, Alisha Hill Shoes, Jovani After Five and Tiffany Prom - has also been invited to supply gowns from its Jovani range for the girls featuring on the next series of Network Ten reality show Australian Princess.
The deals add to the distributor's burgeoning portfolio of commercial partnerships with HIH already the official wardrobe supplier for Miss Teen Australia and Miss Universe Australia. It also provides sponsorship to a host of charities including the National Breast Association.
Rowley said the new contracts come at a busy time for the two-year-old company which launched two new stores in the past month as well as the first issue of its new national title - aptly titled .
HIH staff - which includes Rowley's wife Marlene, sister-in-law Gayle - were always prepared to put themselves "out there" to see what happens, he said.
"The commitment [for the Seven deal] is to be ongoing at our discretion with credits on the shows and the usual exposure, also the celebrities have begun to order gowns from us and the advertising from this is something that you cannot put a price on."