Briefs

Keeping green
BRISBANE: The Queensland Menswear and Tailors annual charity Golf Day, founded in 1946, was held late last month at Nudgee Golf Course in Brisbane. With up to 50 industry players taking to the greens Robert Gould, of Roberts Individual Clothing, took out top honours for best overall score while the team trophy went to the Chaps Menswear crew of Merv Thomas and Neville Reid. Tamara Reck, of Gidyea Gear won two awards after being named the ladies winner and also taking out the best dressed award along with colleague Ros Tigell. The $1500 in funds raised from the event were given to Guide Dogs Queensland.

Award win
MELBOURNE: Victorian textile designer Carole Francis has been named as the winner of the 2008 John Truscott Design Award, valued at $10,000. For her efforts Francis, an emerging multi-disciplinary designer currently completing a degree in studio textile design, will travel overseas to develop her skills on an international scale. She intends completing the trip following a work placement with Sydney-based designer Akira Isogawa in early 2009. Francis was one of five emerging Australian designers short-listed for the award, open to those aged 29 years or under who have participated in the National Design Centre's Mixed Business mentorship program.

Festival highlights
MELBOURNE: More than 362,000 people attended consumer fashion event L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF), new research shows. A report commissioned by organisers and carried out by Saturn Corporate Resources and Russ Knight Research showed more than 1500 industry professionals attended LMFF business activities during its 2008 instalment. The report also found more than 250 brands and designers participated in the event, which focuses on fashion already instore, helping to generate more than $66 million worth of international and domestic press coverage.

Oobi concerns
MELBOURNE: Apparel distribution company Oobi Baby has been taken to court by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over alleged offences under the Trade Practices Act. The ACCC has accused Oobi of engaging in resale price maintenance in relation to a range of clothing and toy products the company imports and distributes. The ACCC has also instituted proceedings against Alexandra Riggs, the owner of Oobi alleging Riggs was knowingly concerned in the alleged breaches. The matter is due to be heard in Melbourne Federal Court on September 1.

HWCP help
MELBOURNE: Joint union-industry body, the Homeworkers Code of Practice (HWCP) Committee, is going on a recruitment drive. The committee, headed by Tommy Clarke, was set up in an attempt to end exploitation in Australia's TCF industry by encouraging retailers and manufacturers to sign and become accredited to a code of practice. The HWCP is currently searching for two new program officers, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne, to assist with the public promotion of the committee's No Sweat Shop label. It is also on the hunt for two staff to beef up its back office.

Japanese style
MELBOURNE: After scoring exclusive distribution rights on a host of Japanese street labels, designers Sabrina Tsai and Kevin Yang have opened their first retail boutique. Sited in Melbourne's QV the boutique, dubbed Pamper Heiress, will stock exclusively Japanese apparel including designer shoes and eveningwear through to daywear, knits and jewellery together with its own inhouse label Sabrina. Having staged its official launch on July 25, the store opened with the designers' new season collections and just-released autumn ranges from Japanese catwalks. For more: 03 9663 7886.

Online launch
PERTH: Western Australian swimwear label Kooey has sort to ramp up sales for its spring/summer 2008/09 collections by launching its own online store. The site includes a virtual fitting room with sizing information and advice on fit, together with a "shopping helper" section which offers details regarding customer service, shipping and returns and payment options. The Australian-made label, launched by indigenous designer Joanne Pellew in 2006, features one piece suits, rashies, kaftans, pants, T-shirts and bikinis. Prices range from $30 for a T-shirt through to $180 for a long sleeved kaftan. For more: kooey.com

Schiavi score
NATIONAL: Jupi Corporation, headed by designer Bruno Schiavi, has teamed with Australian cricketer Brett Lee to launch a new underwear and sleepwear range. The range, dubbed Acestar, uses only 100 per cent cotton fibres. Featuring styles including Y fronts, trunks, boxers and sleepwear, the range will be stocked exclusively at department store Big W exclusively and be available in stores in late August. Prices range from $13 to $17. Schiavi has worked with several other high profile celebrities in the course of his work including actress Priscilla Presley, singer Delta Goodrem and radio announcer Jackie O.

Hussy vs Perry
MELBOURNE: Some of Australian fashion's biggest names have been bought together in a new store being opened by Melbourne retailer Anthea Stathopoulos. The boutique, dubbed Ganache, will open next month with a host of high-end designer labels including Aurelio Costarella, Hussy, Alex Perry, Lisa Ho, Nicola Finetti, Fleur Wood, Yeojin Bae, Sass & Bide and New Zealand labels Kingan Jones, Kate Sylvester and Sabatini. Themed to allow shoppers to indulge in elegance, the store features crystal chandelier detailing, gold framed mirrors and heavy drapery to complement the looks.

Entries open
NATIONAL: The Australian Academy of Design has opened up entries for its 2008 Academy Fashion Prize Competition. Set up to encourage young fashion designers to show off their skills, the awards feature a prize pool worth more than $3000. Entries are available in two categories: tertiary (including TAFE students) and schools (years 10 to 12). All finalists will be exhibited at the Academy's Port Melbourne gallery from 10 September to 3 October with an opening night celebration. In addition a scholarship for the study in the Bachelor of Design Arts degree or the Diploma of Fashion Design at the Academy will be awarded to the entrant deemed to have the most potential. Entries close August 29. For more: 03 9676 9000.