RAWF decision angers buyers
Buyers, media and other delegates to the April 30 to May 4 event have each been slugged with a $25 "pre-registration" fee, introduced by IMG for its new onsite registration system. Previously the trade-only event has been free to all visitors. The decision has angered both buyers and media representatives with delegates condemning the move as "disappointing".
Whistles boutique owner Anne-Marie Gaganis, whose five South Australian stores stock regular RAFW attendees Lisa Ho, Bettina Liano, Zimmermann and Alice McCall, said she did not agree with charging buyers an entry fee to an event staged to encourage sales of Australian fashion.
"I had no prior knowledge that it was going to cost me to register and I don't think it should've been introduced. I'm very disappointed. It's supposed to be a buyers' event only yet I spend millions of dollars there every year and they do nothing to assist me. International delegates get cars laid on and to attend their appointments and are given front row seats yet I'm being charged just to attend the event."
Gaganis said she was confident IMG could have found another way to recover the administration cost without passing it onto delegates.
Moira Peach, owner of Balmain boutique Strelitzia, felt similarly.
Peach, who along with Gaganis begrudgingly paid her money to register for this year's event, said while the cost was minimal, the introduction of the fee meant she would not be able to take any of her staff with her to the event.
"I think it's outrageous. I've spoken to other buyers and they're very, very annoyed. I'm not even sure I will go to this year's event now."
IMG Asia Pacific communications manager Cat Rodwell said the funds generated by Rosemount as part of its sponsorship of the event had gone into reducing designer participation fees by between 15 and 25 per cent.
"We have a brand new registration system to improve event services which will be evident onsite at RAFW. The admin fee also covers the costs involved in the database construction, compiling and checking data, sending out delegate lists to designers, issuing delegate passes etc."
IMG had also overhauled its exhibition area with a new central hub forcing buyers and media to pass 'The Source' to access all three collection showrooms, the VIP bar and other major thoroughfares.
Rodwell said the fee has been kept to a minimum and was more competitive than the registration fees at other major fashion weeks around the world.