Fashion retailers of the year named

SYDNEY: Melbourne has once again cemented its position as Australia's fashion capital after taking out the top gongs at the 2007 Ragtrader TNT Fashion Retailer of the Year Awards.

Victorian-headquartered chain Feathers, womenswear independent store Gorman and menswear boutique Arthur Galan were among those honoured as the country's best during an extravagant awards ceremony staged at Sydney's Doltone House last night.

Awards host (and former judge) Amanda Young named the winners - chosen from an eclectic mix of both chain stores and boutiques - from all five categories. The winners and runners up were as follows:

Best Independent Childrenswear
- Winner: Mosh & Jolly

Best Independent Menswear   
- Winner: Arthur Galan

Best Independent Womenswear
- Winner: Gorman
- Runner up: Morrison

Fashion Chain Store of the Year (less than 20 stores nationally)
- Winner: Feathers

Fashion Chain Store of the Year (more than 20 stores nationally)
- Winner: General Pants
- Runner up: Just Jeans and David Lawrence

Ragtrader publisher Helen Davies said awards judges Zoe Edquist, managing director of the Australian Fashion Council and Belinda Smart, Melbourne Ragtrader correspondent, worked extensively to assess, evaluate and select from a list of high calibre entrants, to narrow down to 26 of the best in the fashion retailing industry.

“The reviewing process was definitely not taken aimlessly. Since commencing earlier this year, our judges have adhered to the award’s strict criteria whilst conducting in-depth examinations and working alongside and behind the scenes with suppliers.

“The awards ceremony, therefore provided an opportunity to congratulate our winners, to showcase the achievements of all those nominated and to also celebrate the success of Australia’s burgeoning fashion industry,” said Ms Davies.

The most keenly contested award of the night, the ‘Fashion Chain Store over 20 award went to New South Wales-headquartered retailer General Pants, with M Webster Holdings' David Lawrence and Just Group owned Just Jeans named runners-up.

The list of finalists included chains Esprit, Peter Alexander, Portmans, Edge and Country Road while boutiques included Morrison, Belinda, Directions, Andiamo, OshKosh, Kids Things, Always Habit and Ksubi.

Andrew Lysaght, TNT Express, Director Special Services, said the awards were a tremendous success, with an incredibly high calibre of entrants.

“TNT is proud to be sponsor the annual Ragtrader TNT Retailer of the Year Awards; which have continued to grow from strength to strength since their inception. “Ragtrader and TNT have enjoyed a fantastic partnership and I look forward to this continuing.”