DJ's protects new kids on the block
Responding to harsh criticisms voiced by national media delegates over the five day event, buyer David Bush said new designers should not be held to the same expectations as more established fashion labels.
Bush, who has been with the department store for 15 years and is general manager of men's and women's collections, said group collection shows were designed to highlight young design talent and premature attacks would only serve to undermine their position within the industry.
"We risk running new designers into the ground before they have the time and experience to find their feet. Of course their collections aren't going to be as sophisticated and well-equipped as someone like Lisa Ho - they're the new kids on the block."
Debate over the standard of new designers first erupted after RAFW organisers released the official schedule earlier this year. In contrast to previous spring/summer seasons, the number of fresh labels outweighed the presence of high-profile designers such as Kirrily Johnston, Josh Goot and Alex Perry.
However, putting its money where its mouth is, Bush said David Jones had embraced the change with newcomers Milk and Honey and Shakuhachi both on board for next season. Other new brands to hit David Jones stores over the warmer months include Ginger and Smart and Anna Thomas; who Bush described as filling the gap for grown-up, tailored sportswear.
Basing his RAFW purchases on "quality and consistency", Bush said it was important for fresh-faced designers to tailor their collections to meet both consumer and retailer demands.
At the same time, he warned industry members to allow these designers "several seasons" to develop and fine-tune their apparel offerings.
"They're learning, getting that exposure to market and finding their feet so more kudos to them. There's always a level of naivety, a level of newness with them and as an industry, we just need to take it for what it is."