MELBOURNE: Australian designer and stylist Michael Angel is the first confirmed speaker for the Designer Forum at the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF).

MELBOURNE: Boutique footwear brand tom gunn has secured an exclusive distribution deal with national retailer Saba.

NATIONAL: The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) will conduct four online webinars throughout January to help retailers understand the new Fair Work legislation.

MELBOURNE: Sportswear brand Lacoste is stretching its Australian Open marketing campaign off court.

NATIONAL: Specialty Fashion Group has upwardly revised its profit expectations for the first half of 2009/10, despite "tough" Christmas trading conditions.

GOLD COAST: Billabong International has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire an interest in boardsports and surf apparel online retailer, Surfstitch.

MELBOURNE: Mercury Brands Limited has announced its intent to change its name to Consolidated Capital Investments Limited next year.

NATIONAL: New Zealand Fashion Week has reportedly lost its principal naming rights sponsor, in the latest fashion corporate sponsorship fallout of the week.

NATIONAL: Organisers of Swim Fashion Week have been forced to pull the plug on a 2010 installment due to a lack of corporate sponsorship.

NATIONAL: Organisers of Swim Fashion Week have been forced to pull the plug on a 2010 instalment due to a lack of corporate sponsorship.

NATIONAL: Fashion retailers may benefit from an anticipated last minute rush in Christmas spending this week, with 64 per cent of consumers buying clothing and footwear during the season.

NATIONAL: Embattled footwear brand Steve Madden is preparing for another legal headache, just four months after its Australian arm collapsed in the face of mounting debts.

MELBOURNE: A study has found retail loyalty card members are often unaware or concerned that their personal information may be sold on to third parties.

NATIONAL: Just Group has revealed Dotti's growth from ten to 100 stores over the past five years has 'exceeded expectations'.

BRISBANE: Efforts to turn Edward Street into a luxury precinct appear to be paying dividends, with Hermes signing on to open in the area.

BRISBANE: Designers with artistic flair have the chance to win cash at the 2010 Textile Art Festival.