Web Brief

FEX
MELBOURNE: Listed wholesale group Pacific Brands has lent its support to bi-annual trade fair Fashion Exposed by signing on as a marketing sponsor. The agreement, which lasts for three years, will see Pac Brands work with the fair's organisers Australian Exhibition & Conferences to maximise opportunities with domestic and international buyers. Pac Brands, which has had a presence at the fair for the past nine years, will also expand its offer to buyers and bring some of the company's external events into the fair.  The company's CEO Sue Morphet will be charged with officially opened the fair's September instalment with the opening followed by the first Pacific Brands runway show of the season.

Money for change
NATIONAL: The Australian TCF Network has volunteered to lend its expertise to any textile, clothing and footwear companies keen to take advantage of the government's new $75 million Climate Ready program. The program, supports Australian businesses developing new products, processes and services to tackle climate change by providing dollar for dollar support for research and development, proof-of-concept and early-stage commercialisation activities. Grants range from $50,000 to $5 million.

Myer star
NATIONAL: Myer ambassador Jennifer Hawkins has taken her duties to the next level. The former Miss Universe winner will launch an exclusive swimwear line through the national department store on August 28. Dubbed Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins, the debut collection will include kaftans and cover-ups, as well as a range of swimsuits in stripes, spots, prints and block colours. Sizes range from eight to 16 with prices ranging from $50 to $129. Hawkins will officially launch the collection at an in-store parade at Myer Sydney City on August 28. The collection will then be rolled out across 65 Myer stores throughout the country.

Hardwick diversifies
MELBOURNE: Bridal and eventwear doyenne Mariana Hardwick has released a range of dresses that pays homage to La Belle Époque. The collection, dubbed New Age Heirloom, was inspired by the era that began in Europe during the late 19th century and was typified by cascades of lace and draping, a Mariana Hardwick spokesperson said. The collection - featuring a soft colour palette including pearl white, ivory and latte and highlights of dusty lemon and lavender - showcased Hardwick's signature decorative techniques while maintaining a sense of modern simplicity.

Aldo no no
NATIONAL: Accessory and footwear retailer Aldo has vowed it will implement a trade practices law compliance program after the consumer watchdog found it sold unsafe sunglasses to consumers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it had accepted a court enforceable undertaking from the brand's Australian distributors Busby Distribution that it would obtain compliance certificates from suppliers or conduct independent testing to ensure sunglasses met mandatory safety standards. The ACCC found Aldo had breached the Trade Practices Act by failing to label its sunglasses correctly. Nine sunglass models also failed to provide warnings they should not be worn while driving.

TFIA: no report
MELBOURNE: The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has found itself at the centre of heightened debate on the waste created by disposable fashion, following misleading claims of a TFIA report on the subject made earlier this month. An article on an online current affairs forum quoted a "[TFIA] report on the throwaway clothing trend to the Federal Government", however TFIA head Jo Kellock said no such report had been released. Kellock said the story was a re-working of an earlier article that ran a lift-out of Melbourne broadsheet The Sunday Age. In the article Kellock was quoted as saying the culture of fast fashion needed to change, as it did not fit the current atmosphere of heightened environmental awareness. Kellock told Ragtrader she had been "bombarded" with calls following the coverage, adding there was "more life" in the debate.

Jeanswest loss
MELBOURNE: Denimwear brand Jeanswest has lost one of its top executives to listed New Zealand apparel retailer Hallenstein-Glasson. Tali Kalb has spent the past seven years at Jeanswest but has handed in her notice after accepting a new role as Hallenstein's general manager of merchandise. Kalb initially served as womenswear product manger at Jeanswest and more recently was merchandise director covering the whole business including menswear, womenswear, denim and accessories. Prior to that she was design manager for sportswear giant Adidas.

DJs gain
NATIONAL: Department store David Jones has announced a list of nearly 20 exclusive new signings across its womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, footwear and accessories categories. The list, released this morning, is the result of an extensive 12 month review by the store's management team of the performance of all existing brands in its portfolio. The new signings include swimwear brand Jets, which will boast its own concepts stores across DJs key CBD stores, Speedo Swimwear, Hotel Bondi Swim, Gorman, Zane Robe, Canali, American Apparel, Scotch & Soda, Energie, Witchery Sunglasses, Cole Haan, Bottega Vanetta, Hogan and Fred Bare.