Leading designer slams retail predictors
After 33 years in the business, the womenswear designer said the current season had seen both his eponymous label and Harry Who record their strongest sales to date. The business partners, who manage the growing George Gross and Harry Who Design empire, allege they have seen a 47 per cent growth in sales from last year and were even taking orders via telephone. At the time of press, Gross further confirmed the previous week's earnings had climbed by another 27 per cent.
"All this talk about tough trade is absolute bullshit," he reiterated. "We've just had our best season after more than three decades. It's not just our labels that are performing well across the board; we've heard great stories from other companies as well."
The indictment comes just weeks after department store giant David Jones announced half-year sales of $1 billion for the first time in its history. Middle-market retailer Myer also confirmed its profit was running above expectations for the opening half of fiscal 2007.
David Jones group general manager Colette Garnsey said booming clothing, footwear and accessories sales had a big part to play in the profit earnings.
"It was a strong season for us across the board," she confirmed at the sales announcement.
Gross, who has seven concessions at David Jones stores throughout the country, argued it was up to companies to steer growth and development throughout varying economic conditions.
"We don't look back," he said. "We keep on doing something new, fresh and modern each season. Maybe the problem with other companies is the fact they do the same thing season in, season out."
Fashion Trend magazine editor Nikita Papas agreed with Gross's argument and said the brand's success could be attributed to its evolving design aesthetic. Papas said Gross had tapped into key looks for the autumn/winter 2007 season with his emphasis on tailoring, refinery and luxury fabrics.
"Designers are embracing the absolute allure of the night. We see luxury fabrics, elegant silhouettes and elaborate surface decorations."