Briefs
Seeing Red
SYDNEY: Belstaff is coming to Australia. The British-Italian eyewear label, formerly unavailable to the Australian and New Zealand market, has appointed Blur Optix as the exclusive distributor for both countries. Offering a range of aviator designs, wrapped lenses and contemporary retro frames, the sunglasses feature leather finishes and stand-out hues such as reds, deep violets, pistachio greens and vibrant oranges. The brand also offers an optical collection with highlights including oversized aviator models in refined metal frames.
Master of chic
MELBOURNE: Parisian based apparel company Daniel Hechter has appointed Saxon Agencies as its representative for the Australian and New Zealand markets. As part of its agreement, the Victorian-based agency is seeking to appoint master licensees for its childrenswear and homewear ventures with two already under contract for the Daniel Hechter men's and women's range. It is understood the licensee's would be obligated to appoint sub-licensees for products not made or marketed by the master licensee (i.e. accessories). The brand is currently available in 52 countries throughout the world with 2500 retail clients.
Wear it out
WELLINGTON: It began as a promotional event for a rural art gallery, now it's an international gala that celebrates the link between art, fashion and theatre. The annual Montana World of WearableArt Show, staged at Queen's Wharf in Wellington from September 20 to 30, is on again and has lined up 10 designers for its daily two hour shows. Organisers have already revealed an entry from New Zealand fabric artist Susan Holmes, a previous World of WearableArt supreme award winner, who created a recycled outfit from fencing wire, woven flax basket, vintage fabrics and an old lampshade. For more: worldofwearableart.com
New addition
PERTH: Retail property specialist Lease Equity has added another director to its management team. Adam Musbah, a specialist who has transacted over 200 retail leasing deals for the company, has been appointed to the role of Associate Director - Portfolio Leasing. In the last four years, Musbah has leased various strip properties and shopping centre developments including Secret Harbour and Southern River Shopping Centres.
David Jones optimistic
SYDNEY: Australian department store David Jones has credited rival Myer's "diminishing profile" as an upmarket retailer for the reason it expects to more than triple its profit forecast for second half of the year. David Jones chief executive officer Mark McInnes said Myer's shift in focus to private labels in their core apparel business and its reduction its costs in marketing and promotions - allowing David Jones to do the same - had bolstered his company's position. David Jones expects profit after tax to surge by up to 42 per cent to $37.8 million for the six months to July 28.
Bad night
CHRISTCHURCH: A former winner of the Supreme Award at the Benson and Hedges Fashion Awards, Christchurch tailor Mark Gerard van Roosmalen, has been ordered to appear in court on police charges. Van Roosmalen pleaded guilty before Judge Patricia Costigan in Christchurch District Court to one charge each of possessing an offensive weapon and intentional damage. He won the major fashion award with a man's suit, and has a master tailor's shop in Manchester Street in central Christchurch. He has been remanded on bail for a probation report and is due to be sentenced today (July 27).
Zoom Zoom Zoom
SYDNEY: Australian footwear brand Zoom has entered the retail market. After four successful years of wholesaling to boutiques and retailers throughout the country, the company celebrated its first store launch earlier this month and plans to unveil a second outlet at Westfield Miranda in September. The current store, situated in Westfield Parramatta, features a minimalist fitout with white walls, wooden accents and faux animal-print ottomans. Both stores will offer Zoom's spring/summer collection which includes a range of heels, wedges and flats in statement prints and bright 1980's hues.
Designers for wine
MELBOURNE: Wine-loving community group, v-know, is set to collaborate with another wine-loving community, designers. As part of ongoing efforts to "excite the world of wine", v-know has challenged a group of leading designers to create individual labels for Australian wine manufacturers. Dubbed 'Wine by Design', the results of the collaborative project will be unveiled at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) on August 23. Fashion labels taking part in the initiative include Dinosaur Designs and couture brand J'Aton and winemakers such as Yalumba, Kooyong Estate, Punt Road, Rolf Binder and Tim Adams. Following the event a one-off limited series of wines will be auctioned online through Langton's Wine Auctions with the entire proceeds going to ACCA. For more: 03 9527 4528
Talk it up
MELBOURNE: Designers competiting for a prestigious Melbourne retail honour are set to engage in a war of words. As part of the judging process for the 2007 ARA and City of Melbourne Lord Mayor's Innovation Award, finalists will go head to head in a live panel interview at the National Retail Forum on August 16. Taking place on day three of the forum, the interview will be conducted by Australian Retailers Association Executive Director David Edwards and staged before a crowd of delegates during the final conference session, New Generation Retailers. Participants must demonstrate a unique business concept, customer experience and a visible point of difference. The judging panel will include Melbourne fashion designer and last year's winner Harry Georgiou and various members from the City of Melbourne council.
New addition
PERTH: Retail property specialist Lease Equity has added another director to its management team. Adam Musbah, a specialist who has transacted over 200 retail leasing deals for the company, has been appointed to the role of associate director - portfolio leasing. In the last four years, Musbah has leased various strip properties and shopping centre developments including Secret Harbour and Southern River Shopping Centres.
Charity drive
SYDNEY: Local design duo bec & bridge showed their softer side during the International AIDS Society's global conference this week. As part of fundraising efforts for AIDS/HIV research, the womenswear label produced a unique 'Pin the ribbon on the Roo' T-shirt which was sold and distributed by volunteers at the conference. Priced at $25, the shirt was designed after organisers approached the duo to come up with a concept that reflected both the Australian culture and the HIV/AIDS message. Sydney played host to over 5000 delegates from around the world as they descended for the July 22 to 25 event.
Tint and fibre hints
NATIONAL: Woolmark has released its colour and fibre trends for spring/summer 2009. Key colour highlights include subtle neutrals punctuated by bold hues, saturated synthetic tones contrasted with neon whites and orange-toned neutrals, contrasts of golden greens and neutral flesh tones and refined metallics in glittering platinum and antique gold. Four main themes reflect the season; 'Visions of nature', 'Delicate vagaries', 'Techno rainbows' and 'Metallic alchemies', the later of which will include iridescent finishes, swirling motifs, modern tailored constructions, and a sense of weightlessness. For more: wool.com.au
Stormin' Gorman
MELBOURNE: Womenswear label Gorman has been selected from thousands of Australia's leading businesses to make the finals for the 2007 Telstra Business Awards Program, joining around 137 other finalists. Gorman has been entered into the category of MYOB Business award, open to businesses with more than five employees but less than or equal to 20. Launched in 1992, the Telstra Business Awards recognises and rewards Australian businesses for excellence and innovation. State winners will be announced on August 24.
Kids at MMSFW
MELBOURNE: The first ever children's fashion parade held during Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MMSFW) will take place on September 9, showcasing designs from finalists in the Bratz Passion 4 Fashion Design Awards, with winners to be judged by a panel of fashion identities including awards ambassador Lindy Klim. Junior (six to 16-years-old) and senior (17-plus years old) category winners and finalists will share in more than $65,000 worth of prizes including overseas trips to the UK, Europe and LA. More than 1,200 entries have been received since the competition opened in June. The official closing date of the contest is July 31.
Superwomen style
MELBOURNE: A new NGV exhibition looks set to unleash a torrent of nostalgia for empowered female forms of the 1980s. Featuring around 30 pieces by designers including Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Azzedine Alaïa, Norma Kamali, Issey Miyake and Mariuccia Mandelli for Krizia, Super Bodies: Heroic Fashion from the 1980s will showcase the powerful silhouettes that typified women's style during the '80s. Highlights of the show - scheduled from August 22 to February 3, 2008 at the Myer Fashion and Textiles Gallery NGV International - will include the corset-shaped, cone-breasted Jean Paul Gaultier frock immortalised by pop diva Madonna during her 1990 'Blond ambition' tour.
Style show
MELBOURNE: The Victorian edition of the Life in Style expo will take place from August 3 to 7 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, Melbourne with organisers promising over 160 exhibitors of fashion and lifestyle products. The fashion component of the fair will feature a wide range of kidswear, clothing, jewellery and accessory labels including kids footwear brand Chook Leaf, kidswear brand Lucca P, sleepwear loungewear and yogawear brand Flannel, accessories and clothing label Nicola Cerini and waterproof fashion footwear label Pipduck. For more: lifeinstyle.com.au