Retailing elite named
Western Australia has begun its ambitious challenge to replace Victoria as Australia's fashion capital after heading to the stage twice at the 2008 Ragtrader TNT Fashion Retailer of the Year Awards.
Fremantle headquartered chain Morrison and womenswear stores Love In Tokyo were among those honoured as the country's best during an extravagant cocktail awards evening staged at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney on Wednesday (November 26).
The awards were once again dominated by Victorian headquartered fashion businesses with Sussan Group-owned Sportsgirl and Gresham Private Equity-run womenswear chain Witchery taking to the podium in the under-20 chain category as winner and runner up respectively.
The pair beat out firm competition from the likes of Esprit, Jeanswest, Review and YD to take the title.
Meanwhile Western Australian brand Morrison In the boutique category Grace Melbourne took out top gong with Love In Tokyo named runner up, while Sydney store Girotondo won the best childrenswear store ahead of Victorian competitor Mill & Mia.
Harrolds, which has stores in both Sydney and Melbourne, once again showed its prowess in the menswear category taking out the title for the third time ahead of awards newcomer Incu.
Wesfarmers owned brand Target took out the best department store category with David Jones named runner up.
The winners beat off stiff competition from all around the country for this year's awards, the fifth annual, with entries in the independent womenswear and over-20 chain category particularly strong.
So strong in fact national judges Kate Vandermeer and Belinda Smart were forced to acknowledged several other brands for their commitment to one key area. These included David Lawrence for its work with the charity Fitted For Work and its commitment to industry training with NSW TAFE; Just Group-owned Dotti for creating a strong brand presence in a saturated market. Satch was also acknowleged for its dedicating to creating "beautiful tailored clothing of high quality".
Vandermeer, brand manager and editor of online magazine stylehunter.com, said stores that managed to create a brand and retail experience with a sense of genuine desirability differentiated the retailing mighty from the retailing meek.
"Creating 'soul' within their businesses and a working environment that is exciting, challenging and rewarding and is what makes these retailers stand out from the pack."
More than 200 guests attending the presentation evening including Sportsgirl head Elle Roseby and Witchery chief executive Ian Nairn. The event was hosted by fashion commentator Patty Huntington with international retail specialist Dean Hyland appearing as guest speaker.