Briefs

Body named
MELBOURNE: Peter Parkinson was returned unopposed as the president of the National Footwear Retailers Association at the group's annual general meeting in Victoria recently. It is Parkinson's 10th successful year at the helm of the group. Other office bearers elected at the meeting include Paul Fraser (vice president) and Bob Vezina (treasurer) while Paul Gherini, David Malloy, John Symonds and Bob Watt were named on the executive committee. For more: 03 8637 4713

Vodkas all round?
SYDNEY: Kiwi-made, Australian-designed knitwear labels Sabatini and Sabatini White will shortly amp up their distribution across Russia after Moscow boutique Cara & Co agreed to act as its agent. The collaboration came about after the labels caught the eye of boutique founder Rozalia Kamenev and creative director Alexey Oleshov three years ago. Jointly run by brother and sister team Margi and Tony Milich, Sabatini already boasts a huge international presence boasting stockists across Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Greece, the US and Asia. For more: sabatini.co.nz

Sportsgirl names Hurst
SYDNEY: Sportsgirl has revealed its latest designer partnership will be with Sydney based designer Kate Hurst's self-named label. The Kate Hurst for Sportsgirl one-off capsule collection, titled Settle Petal, will be inspired by tulip designs, featuring hints of '70s and '80s glamour. Priced $89.95 to $289.95 and available at selected stores from July, the 10-piece capsule collection will include a silk bomber jacket, stripe knit body-suit and strapless floral dress with petal skirt detail. Sportsgirl's latest joint venture follows recent partnerships with 18th Amendment's diffusion label The Beautiful and Damned, Manning Cartell, Michelle Robinson, State of Georgia and Life with Bird. For more: sportsgirl.com.au

Designs on Italy
SYDNEY: Sydney lawyer-cum-fashion fanatic John Landerer has been made a Commander in the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity for efforts promoting good relations between Australia and Italy. The prominent corporate lawyer was responsible for liasing with the Italian Ambassador to provide a scholarship for Australian fashion graduate to study at the prestigious Fashion School of Milan, Istitutto Europeo di Design. Landerer was invested into the Order during a special ceremony in Sydney earlier this month.

ACRS store concepts
MELBOURNE: Monash University's Australian Centre for Retail Studies is set to offer a new short course offering an overview of current trends in store design, customer engagement and merchandise presentation. The course, dubbed Winning Store Concepts and Designs, features presentations from a panel of experts including Myer program office director Megan Foster, FutureBrand creative director Mark Stanton and NH Architecture principal Roger Nelson. The course will be held in Melbourne on June 17. For more: 03 9903 2455.