New labels Exposed at fair

Fashion Exposed - along with boutique showcase Preview - has unveiled an extensive list of first time exhibitors at its upcoming instalment.

Organiser Australian Exhibitions and Conferences (AEC) confirmed the fair - which takes place at Sydney's Darling Harbour exhibition centre from March 9 to 11 - would showcase more than 550 companies, with around 125 labels launching into Australia for the first time.

New players comprised both local and international labels. In the womenswear category these included: V&M Clothing, Pod Productions, Da Da & Co, California Born and Hale Bob as well as womenswear designer Terrene Searle - comprising the Ciel, Enamore and Alchem1st labels.

Sydney label V&M Clothing was launched in 2007 by designer Vivienne Kim and husband Ming. Targeting "fashion forward women" the clothes were designed to be "sexy, stylish and fun", Kim said.

"By participating in Fashion Exposed, V&M hope to add more stockists to their already established client base and to showcase their collection to a variety of buyers from across Australia and Asia. Fashion Exposed will be a platform for V&M to capitalise on the success they've achieved in just one year," she said.

In other categories a number of high recall labels would also be showing for the first time. These included swimwear label Lady Lascivious, iconic men's and women's surf brand Hot Tuna and childrenswear brand Chino Kids. In the non-apparel categories Indy C Fashion's handbags and wallets would be making their first appearance at the Leather Bag and Accessories (LBA) fair, now co-located with Fashion Exposed. Meanwhile designer jewellery labels Lola & Bailey and Sue Sensi Designs were also new players at LBA's own version of Preview.

The fair's French international Designer Showcase would see designer menswear IKKS by Kam Otto Import making its entrance into Australia as part of Preview, joined by womenswear label One Step - also by Kam Otto Import - along with Cannisse, Virginie Castaway and Syryzya. French sleepwear and intimates labels Lejaby and Chantal Thomass and accessories label E Com Elegance were also new exhibitors.

AEC said registrations for Fashion Exposed & Preview were up approximately 10 per cent on 2007, following measures to improve the fair experience for both exhibitors and buyers.

By Belinda Smart