Briefs

London beckons
NEW ZEALAND: Auckland-based designer Jann Wong has been awarded a trip to London Fashion Week after taking out the Deutz Fashion Design Ambassador Awards, staged as part of Air New Zealand Fashion Week recently. The Auckland University of Technology student's collection, described as an "experimental exploration" of modern drape and silhouette, helped Wong beat off stiff competition from seven other aspiring designers to take the top gong. Judged by a panel including Kate Sylvester and Cybele Wiren, Wong's prize package included a return trip to London and a $3000 cash prize. For more: nzfashionweek.com

Chain collaborations
NATIONAL: National womenswear retailer Sportsgirl has teamed with Melbourne designers Georgia Hall and Jo Nation to launch exclusive capsule collections throughout the Sportsgirl stores. Hall, a former Sportsgirl model, has created a line of frocks, separates and footwear for the chain. Set to launch in October its prices will range for between $120 and $300. Nation, Sportsgirl's buyer, also includes dresses and separates with many featuring her own prints. Nation's line, available from November, will retail for between $60 and $150. Sportsgil has been running its young designers program for three years. For more: sportsgirl.com.au

Portmans' new posi
NATIONAL: Womenswear chain Portmans has adopted a unique new approach to advertising its wares for spring/summer 2007/08. The move, which coincides with the announcement Miranda Kerr has agreed to front the brand for a further 12 months, will see Portmans' "She lights up the room tagline" replaced with 'It's Always' in a move intended to promote Portmans as a fashion authority. The new campaign also features a new track written especially for Portmans by Josh Abrahams. The new campaign, created by Spin advertising agency, rolls out across TVC, in store, print and outdoor this month.

Spot light on fabrics
MELBOURNE: Environmental solutions for Needlefelt manufacturers is just one of a range of topics up for discussion at Technical Textiles and Nonwoven Association's (TTNA) Spring briefing later this month. The two-hour event, taking place on October 29, will also cover subjects including coating machinery, machinery and training materials for environmentally sound manufacturing and non-conventional ring spinning, quality control, microfibres and nanofibres in technical textiles. Entry is free for first time potential members. For more: 03 9866 6434.

Student award
MELBOURNE: Luxury menswear retailer Harrolds has teamed with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and RMIT's School of Fashion to create an outstanding achievement award for RMIT fashion students. The inaugural finalists - Anthena Voudatis and Lodovico Zambruno - announced in recent weeks. Voudiotis - a student of RMIT's Bachelor of Applied Science Fashion Technology program - was winner of the 2006 Guess Australia Design denim competition, while Zambruno - a third year student on the same course - established his own fashion label TV Eye in 2004, now stocked across Australia. The award, expected to roll out annually, will see successful recipients visit leading Italian design houses including Kiton, Brioni, Pal Zileri, Raffaele, Xacus, Carnaval De Venise and Artioli.
 
Boss arrives in QV
MELBOURNE: German fashion group Hugo Boss has picked Melbourne shopping precinct QV to launch its first Australian Boss Orange concept store. Launched as a classical men's businesswear line in the '70s, the Hugo Boss Group's Orange arm offers casual collections for men and women who "enjoy dressing in style and creating their own unique fashion statement". The brand, which also has stores in Berlin, London, Philadelphia and Shanghai, will also stock a selection of own brand bags and shoes, along with eyewear, watches and fragrances. Early next year it will also stock jewellery produced under license while a kids wear collection is also planned for 2008.

ANZFW winners
AUCKLAND: Kiwi designers Kate Sylvester and Adrian Hailwood will shortly be racking up the airmiles after winning the top gongs in the 2007 Air New Zealand Fashion Export Awards. For their efforts the pair was awarded more than $A45,000 worth of travel, accommodation and market assistance to help grow their export earnings. The awards, judged by a stellar panel including representatives from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Icebreaker, was open to any designer showing at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2007. 

Virtual arcade
SYDNEY: Bracewell's vintage concept store, Penny Arcade, has launched a website at pennyarcade.com.au. Featuring vintage garments and furniture from the '50s, '60s and '70s, press clippings, and an online sale, buy or hire facility, the site will also enable Penny Arcade devotees to join the Penny Club and be kept up to date about events, sales and news. Founder Michael Bracewell said while the label could not replicate its new store, the website would allow it to offer interstate and overseas customers the opportunity to browse and buy online. Penny Arcade's bricks-and-mortar outlet - comprising a 300 square-metre heritage listed emporium of vintage product - is located at 15 Foster Street, Surry Hills. For more: 02 9281 8830.