Briefs
JCPenney in Aus
BRISBANE: Leading American retailer JCPenney has launched into Australia via an online portal. The retailer, which runs one of the US's larget general merchandise catalogue business, has launched jcpenney.com.au solely to target Australian shoppers. All prices on the site are listed in Australian dollars to help shoppers avoid the fluctuation of exchange rates. The site is run by Queensland based JCPenney International Catalog Australia under an exclusive licence agreement. Apparel categories offered by the site include womenswear, menswear, maternitywear, accessories and footwear.
Amar annointment
SYDNEY: Womenswear wholesale label Amar has appointed Meagan McDonald as its new sales and marketing vice president. McDonald, who had worked at the brand previously in a part time role, will be responsible for all marketing and press activities for the brand nationally. The label, launched in 2003 by designers Kerri Raymond and Michael Adam, is sold in more than 50 boutiques across Australia while also boasting a presence in Europe and Asia. For more: (02) 9331 5560.
WA buzz
PERTH: Tickets have gone on sale for Western Australian fashion's week of weeks - the 2008 Perth Fashion Festival. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year's event runs over nine days and features 30 fashion events - 16 of which are free to the public. Labels featured at the September 4 to 12 event include Nicola Finetti, Morrison, Wheels and Doll Baby, Kooey, Saba, Adam Wore Short Pants, Gospel, Liz Davenport, One Foul Swoop, Megan Salmon and Ae'lkami. For more: (08) 9463 7777.
Right deal
MELBOURNE: Children's footwear label Start Rite has renewed its licensing agreement with Yatra, a subsidiary of Texas Peak Melbourne. The agreement, which lasts for five years, covers both the Australian and New Zealand markets. Start-rite is believed to be England's oldest children's shoe company, with a history dating back more than 200 years. Sold across more than 35 countries globally, its range includes pre-walkers, sporty casuals, school wear, sandals, slippers and gumboots. For more: (03) 9338 5326.
Eeni expansion
BRISBANE: The designer behind childrenswear label Eeni Meeni Miini Moh has extended her business to encompass a new lifestyle brand for adults. The label, dubbed 'Article', features cotton throws, woollen throws, bean bags, zipper pouches and note books. Each limited edition piece is hand silk-screened using water-based paint and made primarily from vegetable fibres. Prices range from $19 for a pencil case through to $249 for a woollen throw. For more: 07 3902 0088.
Kathmandu re-calling
NEW ZEALAND: Kiwi adventurewear company Kathmandu has opted to celebrate its 21st year in business by re-releasing its popular 'Original's' line. The range will brings together essentials including jackets, pants, tops, vests, shorts, shirts and bags. For more: 03 9421 1566
Retail concept
SYDNEY: A trio of big name retail executives has joined forces to offer a 1000sqm store where small fashion retail chains can lease concession space to move unsold stock. The first store, dubbed The Elegant Shed, is set to open in Sydney's northern beaches shortly while the second one is scheduled to open in March. The trio behind the project, former Fiorelli sales director Dean Hyland, former Oroton COO Mike Holtzer and former M Webster Holdings MD Rory Scott, aim to have seven stores trading within three years under their company trading name Turnabout Retail. For more: 02 9979 0240.
Decjuba day out
MELBOURNE: Womenswear label Decjuba has announced its second year as naming rights sponsor of the Girls Day Out on Saturday September 6. Marking the first race day in Flemington's Spring Racing calendar, the Decjuba Girls Day Out will feature The Fashion Marquee - an official event on the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) program. Guests will be entertained by parades from top men's and women's fashion designers, including the launch of Decjuba's 2008 capsule collection.
Designer duds
NATIONAL: Underwear label 2wink Australia is set to introduce a new line of swimwear. The brand, owned by Carl McNeill, intends releasing its first range of boardshorts in time for the summer 2009 selling season. Currently boasting stockists across countries including Japan, UK, US, Singapore, Germany, Italy and France, the announcement coincided with the news the four-year-old label is also on the hunt for an Australian man to front its new season online advertising campaign. The chosen candidate will ideally be aged between 20 and 30 with a "firm slightly muscular body". For more: info@2wink.com.au
Salvos style
MELBOURNE: Salvos Stores will present recycled fashion showcase Recreate 08 on October 14. A spokesperson for the event described it as "the culmination of months of hard work" undertaken by local fashion design students, whose brief was to create fashion collections from items reclaimed at Salvos Stores. More than 400 guests will attend the show, located at Ormond Hall in Prahan, Melbourne. The night will include a showcase of students' work modelled by Melbourne's top models and styled by Mark Wasiak.
Saba signing
Apparel Group-owned unisex brand Saba has joined the ranks of Marnie Skillings and Nicola Finetti by selecting Sydney's Woollahra as the ideal location for its 23rd Australian store. Nestled at 80 Queen Street the new store was handpicked to reflect the brand's "clean, modern" aesthetic. In paying homage to designers such as Ray and Charles Eames, the new store features selected furnishings from their collections along with high ceilings mixed with a monochromatic colour palette. The store will stock the brand's ready-to-wear men's and women's ranges along with its new accessories collection.