Best independent menswear - Runner-up Ksubi and Always Habit

Known for its high recall both locally and abroad, denim label Ksubi was founded as a collective of friends and has a fresh, creative approach to marketing and promotion, with staff gaining direct interface with customers in clubs, skate parks and beach side cafes. More than a brand, Ksubi's culture of fashion, music and art and its uniquely designed, individually named stores - including "City of the Dead" (Bondi, NSW) or "The Bombed Maché" (Armadale, VIC) - have made it a favourite among hip, young-minded fashion junkies, with word-of-mouth accolades negating the need for a single dollar of advertising spend.

Meanwhile, Brisbane retailer Always Habit continues to evolve year on year, with a standout website and online retail offer driving sales of its broad spectrum of hip young brands - not least the award winning Always Habit label. An avid supporter of funky local menswear labels, founder Vanessa Hoe recently ploughed her energies into launching womenswear retail label Hoë in a former strip club. She also runs successful men's accessories outlet Qubed and is widely recognised as something of a retail force in her native city, motivating loyal staff with boot camps and no doubt keeping her customers happy with nightclub launches.