American connections prove fruitful for Aussie designer
SYDNEY: Rachel Gilbert believes you can learn a thing or two from the Hilton sisters - and it has little to do with five-star hospitality.
"Working with Nikki Hilton taught me a lot about the fashion market in the USA," she said. "I was lucky enough to work with buyers all over the continent. I will be meeting with some of the people I met through Nikki when I travel at the end of this year."
Once a head designer for the socialities' New-York based womenswear label, Gilbert is now gearing up for her own American venture. The Whitehouse Institute of Design graduate is aiming to expand her high-end wholesaling business across the US, European and Middle Eastern markets over 2008.
"International retailers are becoming more open to Australian collections and designers," she said. "From experience, I found that after living in New York City, buyers were becoming more familiar with Australian designers and are interested in taking us on board. I believe within the coming years, exporting for Australian designers will grow immensely."
Gilbert has already drawn orders from two high-profile international clients - Los Angeles and San Francisco-based retailer American Rag and London specialty store Austique. Secured at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Gilbert said both accounts fuelled her desire to expand upon her 40-strong distribution base in Australia.
"I am really looking forward to expanding my brand into the international market," she said. "I am travelling at the end of this year to meet with agents and possible buyers in the USA and currently have interests in Spain, the Netherlands and the UK that sell to Europe and the Middle East."
Current Rachel Gilbert stockists include Holly GoLightly boutique in Sydney, Melbourne's Crimson Phoenix, Queensland's Adrenalin, Perth's Soul Sisters and Adelaide retail chain Whistles. The womenswear designer has agents across Europe and a London representative who represents the UK, Europe and Middle Eastern markets.
By Assia Benmedjdoub