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Henley's aims high
NATIONAL: Streetwear label Henleys is aiming to capture a larger share of the high-end boutique market. The UK-based brand will launch its new Project Deluxe line across Australian retailers from August 2008, with its local distributors, Trend Imports, hoping the brand's latest venture will draw a new client base. Priced from $130 to $150 and manufactured in China, the debut spring/summer 2008 range includes signature soft hoodies, denim and lightweight jackets and tricots in a base palette of black, white, grey and navy.  Confirmed national stockists include Myer, Glue Stores, Urban Equipment, Maxpower, Hybrid, Universal, Trimms and Transit.

Swanndri Walker split
NEW ZEALAND: The relationship between iconic Kiwi brand Swanndri and high-end Auckland-based designer Karen Walker has come to an end with the South Island company citing a desire to get back to the brand's "core business" as the reason for the split. Swanndri said both businesses had come to the conclusion the pairing had run its course. As part of the agreement Walker designed three collections for the brand under the label Swanndri by Karen Walker, most of which featured the brand's trademark red and black check which Walker then developed into an urban range to give it a more fashionable edge. The collaboration also resulted in a much needed profile boost for Swanndri whose heritage and history is rooted in industrial workwear.

Billabong buy
QUEENSLAND: Australian surfwear brand Billabong has inked an agreement to acquire the retail operations of one of its key partners in the United States. American east coast retailer Quiet Flight operates 13 sites across the region, including the flagship Billabong and Element stores in Times Square, New York.  It also boasts multi-branded retail boutiques across Florida, including Quiet Flight sites in Universal Studios, New Symrna, Tamp and Coco Beach and Surf Warehouse stores in Orlando. Billabong said it had been engaged in business with Quiet Flight for several decades and would retain its senior retail management team as part of the transaction. Quiet Flight is expected to contribute approximately 3 per cent of Billabong sales for the 2008/09 financial year.

ANZFW change
NEW ZEALAND: Air New Zealand Fashion Week (ANZFW) has undergone a series of changes during its summer hiatus allowing Australian designers on the catwalk. Celebrating its eighth anniversary this year, the September 16 to 21 event will mark the first time Australians have been allowed to participate in the runway shows. ANZFW has confirmed it is "in talks" with a number of Australian designers and hopes to confirm around eight for this year's event. The news follows an aborted attempt to get Australian brands to stage their own showings in a dedicated showroom on site last year. The selection process is currently underway with the list of Australian and New Zealand designers showing at the event likely to be announced early next month.