Briefs
Waste reduction
SYDNEY: A new exhibition by a Sydney student aims to show fabric waste elimination through design is possible. The 'Bad Dogs' exhibition, by UTS PhD student Timo Rissanen, investigates opportunities for making and designing clothes without wasting fabric the 15 per cent of the fabric the industry typically uses. Rissanen also invites viewers to examine preliminary findings from the project and presents patternmaking as an integral aspect of sustainable fashion design practice. The exhibition runs from July 31 to August 22 in UTS' Dab Lab Research Gallery. For more: 02 9514 8016.
Tee'd off
SYDNEY: Fabric supplier D&M Fabrics has announced details for its annual Rag Trade Golf Day. Staged this year at the Kogarah Golf Club, the September 2 event features a BBQ and pre-match refreshments from 11.30am. A shot gun start applies from 12.30pm while the day's event concludes with drinks and snacks from 5.30pm. Open only to members of the rag trade industry, the cost is $95 per person or $20 for non-playing guests. Registrations of interest should be sent to gary@montex.com.au
Safe and sound
NATIONAL: Electronic security firm ADT Security has released a new range of reusable hard tags for retailers. Dubbed the Sensormatic Apparel Tag (Ultra Tag AT), the pieces have been developed to address retailers' demand for a highly secure range that will have minimal impact on product presentation. Incorporating Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), the tag will alert retail staff by setting off an alarm if a tagged item is removed from the store without first being deactivated. The tags can be used on any type of material from denim to lace. For more: adtsecurity.com.au.
Cultured head
SYDNEY: Head dress store Strand Hatters has added Californian brand Brixton Ltd to its range of suppliers. Renowned for its vintage-inspired hats, Brixton Ltd is the collaboration of three Southern California friends who wanted to convey their lifestyle through unique products. Priced from $70 to $90, the range is sold alongside the store's other leading domestic and international hat brands including Akubra, Montecristi, Borsalino, Hanna, Kangol, Barmah, Bardsley (Kaminski), Failsworth and Harris Tweed. For more: 02 9231 6884.
Luxury offer
SYDNEY: New South Wales' busiest airport has called for development proposals from luxury domestic and international fashion brands. The boutiques would be located in a new development within Sydney Airport's Terminal (T1) called The Forum. According to operators, T1 handled more than 10 million passengers in 2007. They claimed a new shopping website (sydneyairportshopping.com.au) would help retailers to further capitalise on foot traffic. Other request for proposals (RFPs) issued by Sydney Airport include two jewellery concepts Opal Jewellery and Casual Artisan Jewellery, with RFPs across a comprehensive range of categories soon to follow.
End to fashion week
GOLD COAST: The biggest fashion event on the Gold Coast fashion calendar - GOLD Coast Fashion Week - is to be rebranded in an attempt to save it from an early grave. The event, which attracted global publicity last year when it named a 12-year-old as its face, has been postponed this year as organisers scramble to breathe new life into the fledgling fashion showcase. Under the plan, the event would be renamed Gold Coast Fashion Week "Swim '09" and is scheduled to take place in May next year. The trade show would feature only swimwear and resort wear and would be modelled on Miami's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Organisers blamed a lack of public support and bad timing for the fact they could not capitalise more on last year's inaugural event. It is understood no national designers have committed to the event as yet. For more: goldcoastfashionweek.com.au
Davenport spread
SYDNEY: West Australian-headquartered brand Liz Davenport has opened a new Sydney office to help service its East Coast customers together with the designs of the designer's daughters Katie and Jane Davenport. The new office address is 29E Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft. The brand first launched in 1975 and by 1979 the collection was sold in more 300 boutiques and department stores throughout Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. Today the company operates 14 stores across the major capital cities of Australia. For more: lizdavenport.com.au
Classic win
SYDNEY: Australian sporting brand Classic Sportswear will celebrate its 75th anniversary in style after being named the official jersey supplier for the New South Wales Rugby League. The appointment will see Classic again take responsibility for the official on-field Origin jersey after a 10-year hiatus. The jerseys will be added to its existing range of Blues supporter jerseys, the NRL supporter range, the NRL Mascot apparel, the Rugby League World Cup 2008 and hundreds of grass-roots Rugby League teams. Classic's Blues authentic range will be available in time for Christmas from all major sporting retailers. For more: 02 9550 2711.
Flying Aussie flag
ADELAIDE: Ecco shoes Adelaide manager Courtney Samson has been named as the first person from South East Asia selected to take part in the global footwear brand's worldwide training initiative. Each year the company, which employs more than 11,000 people worldwide, selects eight trainees to start a three-year training program. During the first year Samson will undertake a three-week introduction at the company's headquarters in Denmark, before travelling to Portugal for 11 months. Her second year will be spent in Denmark learning about core business areas while her third year will see her expatriated to an Ecco sales subsidiary for six months with the final six months to be spent in Denmark. The three-year traineeship will also see Samson attain a Diploma in Business from Brighton University.
Networking event
SYDNEY: Women in Manufacturing have announced plans to stage a speed networking event to coincide with Small Business month on September 10. The network will be offering an opportunity for members, advisors and consultants to meet and exchange ideas. The event will be staged at the Department of State and Regional Development, Level 47, MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney from 5pm. The event is free. For more: 02 9338 6693.