Fashion Designers Exposed

SYDNEY: Fashion Exposed announced the three winners of its inaugural Debut competition on the first day of the trade show last week. A program giving 20 emerging designers from Australia and New Zealand a chance to show their new collections to the fashion industry, the winners were given a 3 by 3 metre stand at the next Melbourne Fashion Exposed in September. Best new S/S apparel collection was awarded to Subfusco by Josh Scacheri, best avant-garde garment was presented to Rising Phoenix by Eric Phong Tan Kim and best accessory was won by bag and accessory designers Luisa Clare and Carla Sanzone of Luisa Clare.

Clothing Collection
SYDNEY: Surry Hills fashion design and patternmaking studio leina broughton are organising a clothing collection for women of domestic violence. The bi-annual collection was launched last December with donations of 600 garments, 70 pairs of shoes and three large boxes of accessories for the Dolores refuge in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Re-distributed to local refuges around NSW, cleaned and pressed women's clothing suitable for job interviews and office work of all shapes and sizes are requested for collection or delivery on April 7 and 8.
For more: leina@leinabroughton.com.au

Moving freely
MELBOURNE: An entrepreneurial duo from the coastal Victorian town of Torquay has launched girls denim label Lone Barron Free. Erin Rendic and Angie Scanlon began designing the label late last year and its three initial styles - boy fit, straight leg and carrot fit - are now available through selected Melbourne boutiques. The range - which has been snapped up by movie star Jessica Biel - features whimsical detailing including vintage fabric yoke linings, patchwork and embroidery. Prices range from $299 to $325.

Glow on the go
MOORABBIN: Melbourne-based fabric manufacturer The Speciality Group has launched a new fabric that glows in the dark. The patented product, titled Energlo, glows for more than three hours in total darkness after only 12minutes of exposure to natural light. The technology involves the use of light absorbing and emitting crystals that are dispersed within several layers of the company's waterproof, breathable coatings and then applied to fabrics where additional night time visibility is required. For more: 03 9555 8766.

Kitchen CROCS
SYDNEY: Worn by celebrities Drew Barrymore, Adam Sandler, Faith Hill and Ben Affleck and named Brand of the Year in 2005 by footwear trade publication Footwear News, CROCS are now hitting the kitchen. Sited at one of Sydney's exclusive waterside restaurants, Coast, at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Chef Stefano Manfredi has fitted out his entire kitchen staff in Crocs 'Aspen' shoe. Retailing at $59.95, sizes range from 6-11 for women and 4-13 for men.

How to change
SYDNEY: Hand bag and accessories label How U C Me has launched travel and menswear ranges. The travel range - comprising matching handbags, laptop bags and luggage bags - is currently available through around 100 stockists nationally at prices from $100 for handbags to $230 for large luggage bags. Both ranges would be expanded for summer 2007, with the men's range - which currently comprises briefcases and shoulder bags - to include a range of wallets and co-ordinating accessories, confirmed How U C Me designer Natasha Iwanov.