New service

NATIONAL: Former JAG and Dianna Ferrari general manager, Peter Abbott, has resurfaced with his own consultancy service. Abbott, who has more than 20 years' working across footwear and fashion, has called the service Apparel Resources. Targeted at small to medium businesses, the consultancy firm will cover such issues as strategy development, recruitment, culture and implementation of timelines. For more: apparelresources.com.au

Shirting issue
AUCKLAND: In what it is claiming as a "world first" a New Zealand company has developed an everyday shirt made entirely of wool. Machine washable and shrink resistant the range has been created using a new technique of solo-spinning that allows the wool to be woven into a single yarn. Developed in association with industry group AgResearch, the company has also made trousers and suit fabric using the technology, which has already captured the attention of designers across Europe and Sydney. For more: mike.eng@agresearch.co.nz

Russian beckoning
SYDNEY: Representatives from high-end Australian fashion labels Akira Isogawa and Ksubi have flown to Moscow to be on hand as new design store Cara & Co officially opens its doors during Russian Fashion Week. The store is touted as Moscow's largest concept store of its kind and billed as a "deluxe boutique for intellectuals". The labels join New Zealand-based design house Zambesi in being stocked by the store, run by Russian-born Rosa Kamenev who recently moved back to Russia after 17 years in Sydney.

Colour correction
NATIONAL: Industry bigwigs Belinda Seper, Josh Goot, Gail Elliot, Josh Goot and Jayson Brunsdon were forced to put their creative differences aside recently after agreeing to act as judges on the Lancome Colour Design Awards. The five joined fellow creatives Arthur Galan, Sarah-Jane Clarke and Alex Zobatto-Bentley on the panel charged with standing in judgement of 12 UTS students linking creativity in cosmetics with innovation in fashion. Each vying for the chance to win a flight to Paris to represent Australia in a world final, winners will be announced on April 24.

Job wise
ADELAIDE: The founder of retail chains Youthworks and Sole Shoes, Martin Haese, has turned his hand to a new business venture - recruitment. Dubbing his new business Retail IQ Recruitment, the South Australian entrepreneur Martin Haese will target clients across the full retail spectrum including specialty fashion, department stores and FMCG. Haese will be joined by industry veteran Claudette Bersagliere who has more than 16 years' experience working for the Sportsgirl Sportscraft Group. For more: 08 8212 9588.