Sportsgirl notches up more designer exclusives

NATIONAL: Womenswear retail chain Sportsgirl has unveiled its latest designer collaborations with six new brands set to debut instore.

The first of these, set for a February release, will see Sydney designer Michelle Robinson, a former Akira Isogawa intern, design a limited edition collection featuring striped all-in-ones, high-waisted shorts and washed chambray parkas. Prices will range from $100 to $190.

The chain has also selected jewellery designer Christianna Heideman and her label Damselfly to boost its accessory offerings. Heideman's collection, also available from February, centres around the designer's life long love affair with butterflies with pendants and earrings which incorporate real butterflies set into resin. Available at selected stores from February. Prices range from $80 to $200.

A second accessories label, leatherwear brand Bahamonde, will be launched in May featuring belts, boots, clutches and gloves. Price points will also range from $80 to $100.

Sportsgirl PR and events manager Jade Roberts said other key collections would be released throughout the year.
These included footwear brand Nude, designed by Selina Tulk, which will include five patent, mock-croc and soft leather styles. The range will be launched in March and priced between $120 and $250.

Manning Cartell - the brand founded by sisters Cheryl, Gabrielle and Vanessa Manning - will design an exclusive apparel line for Sportsgirl, that Roberts said "combined the personalities of the sisters and takes inspiration from the quintessential downtown punk rocker, Debbie Harry, serving up a school girl vibe in plaid and herringbone with simple yet feminine styling and silhouettes of the 60s with an 80s kick".

The last brand to enter the foray is The Beautiful and the Damned – the sister label to denim brand 18th Amendment - which will release an exclusive Sportsgirl collection in May.