Sportswear meets art

NATIONAL: International sportswear brand Puma has paid homage to frequent collaborator, Mihara Yasuhiro, by launching a limited edition collector's book. Currently available at Hype DC stores, the book features the artwork and photography of four famous Japanese artists who have based their work on the Puma Mihara footwear collection. The artists include painter Akira Yamaguchi, sculptor Makoto Azuma, poet Sandaime Uotake Hamada Shigeo and cartoonist Takao Saito. In conjunction with the book launch, Puma Mihara has also released a limited edition re-issue of the MYI sneaker from autumn/winter 2000. The canvas sneaker is printed with a variation of stars and stripes with a base of cloud embroidery in various shades.

New store
BRISBANE: Up-and coming womenswear designer George Wu has just opened his first flagship store in Fortitude Valley. Situated inside the TCB Building - frequently dubbed the "fashion Mecca" of Brisbane - the boutique debuted with Wu's autumn/winter 2007 collection which features a range of skirts, blouses and dresses made from natural fibres and fabrics. The designer currently has a select stockist base throughout Australia including Cactus Jam in Melbourne, Joy Hysteric on the Gold Coast, Kisses in Brisbane and Platinum in Adelaide.

Online shak
SYDNEY: Australian womenswear brand Shakuhachi has taken its business to the next level with the launch of a new website. Along with a complete series of images from its autumn/winter 2007 collection, the page also includes stockist details, press releases, a fan club and a range of multimedia on the company's favourite people, places, sights and sounds. For more: shakuhachi.net.au

Watchdog luncheon
MELBOURNE: Confusion surrounding retailers' rights and responsibilities when dealing with landlords, suppliers and consumers has prompted the Australian Retailers Association to launch a seminar covering precisely that to
The Strand unites

SYDNEY: Humanitarian organisation UNICEF has joined forces with The Strand to help raise funds for children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS. In a bid to do its share for the UNICEF Designers United 2007 campaign, the shopping mecca has pooled together its leading fashion identities to produce one-off creations for a special charity auction. The designers, which include Jayson Brunsdon, Marnie Skillings and the Zimmerman sisters, were challenged to transform a simple ball of blue string into a piece of fashion. All items will be auctioned on eBay from May 6 to 16 with The Strand also staging an exhibition of the designer's creations across three levels of its complex.