Briefs
New chair
MELBOURNE: Business supremo Laura Anderson has been named the new chair of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Acclaimed as an industry leader, Anderson's expertise results from her global strategic experience in the US, Europe and Asia before settling in Australia. Anderson is chair of several private investment companies and also the chair of Starlight Children's Foundation in Victoria and a director of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. Previously a senior partner at accounting firm KPMG she is also a former director of listed apparel business the Just Group.
SCM groups gather
MELBOURNE: Global leaders in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics education will headline an executive development program hosted by Monash University Centre for Retail Studies. The program, staged February 15 to 19, is intended for directors and senior executives whose responsibilities cover logistics functions. Topics covered at the four-day event include SCM risk assessment, SCM analytics and sustainable competitive advantage and strategic SCM and sustainability. For more: 03 9903 2455.
Winner announced
MELBOURNE: Joanne Waller of retail store Midnight Traders was named the inaugural winner of the Buyers Competition at trade fair Fashion Exposed earlier this month. For her efforts Waller was awarded a cash prize of $2500 to be spend on next season's buying. For more: fashionexposed.com
Wellington WOW
NEW ZEALAND: The future of recycled fashion event the World of WearableArt Awards has been assured after the Wellington-based organisers signed a four-year deal worth $40 million to the city. Wellington City Council's initial four-year contract to host the art fashion extravaganza was set to expire after next year's show. However the council has stitched up the hosting rights to ensure the one-of-a-kind spectacular will be held in Wellington until at least 2012. About 35,000 people now clamour for tickets to see the more than 300 outfits and experience the on-stage light-and-sound production. A third of all entries now come from overseas.
New code of conduct?
NATIONAL: The Australian government is considering introducing a code of conduct requiring magazines to say when images have been digitally altered, according to a report on national broadcaster The ABC. Federal Youth Minister Kate Ellis said considered as a means of promoting health and healthy body images, the code would be voluntary, but the government would work with the fashion and advertising industries on its development.
Attendance up
NATIONAL High profile Australasian brands Aussiebum, Bonds, Holeproof, Pleasure State, Simon de Winter, Trackerjack and Target, and Bendon New Zealand were among those attending the Interfiliere fabrics show in Paris last month. The three-day fair, targeted at lingerie and beachwear brands, saw an increase in visitors across the board with attendance by lingerie manufacturers up 4.8 per cent. Other results showed a 6.5 per cent rise in men's underwear manufacturers and a 8.1 per cent increase in the number of beachwear manufacturers. The top 12 visitor countries included France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Hong Kong, the US, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia and Brazil.