State against state in battle for top fashion retailer

New South Wales stores dominate the women's boutique category in the 2007 Ragtrader TNT Fashion Retailer of the Year Awards.

Paddington-headquartered high-end retailer Belinda will go head to head with fellow Sydney stores Directions (Double Bay) and Andiamo (Balmain) in the bid to be named the best independent womenswear store with Victorian-based Gorman and Western Australian-based Morrison stores also in contention.

In the best independent men's store category the competition is a little more even with Sydney store Ksubi up against Always Habit in Brisbane and Arthur Galan in Melbourne. Likewise, finalists in the best independent childrenswear store include Claremont-based Mosh & Jolly, Sydney-based OshKosh and Kids Things from Melbourne.

Those contesting the best chain categories include Just Jeans, Esprit, David Lawrence, Review, Country Road and Peter Alexander.

Winners will be announced during a glistering cocktail reception being staged at Sydney's prestigious Doltone House on November 28.

Ragtrader publisher Helen Davies said all finalists would be hosted on the night however additional tickets would still be available for those keen to partake in the action.

The event, hosted by industry consultant Amanda Young with famed Sydney-based designer Josh Goot as guest speaker, will see more than 200 of the industry's leading lights gather together to celebrate the achievements of the fashion relating elite.

Tickets for the awards night are available at a cost of $55 each and can be obtained by contacting Catherine Labbate at Two de Force on 02 9281 8788 or by visiting ragtrader.com.au.