Queensland label Holster is stocked in some of the biggest department stores around the world yet still runs its daily operations out of a small warehouse space in Noosa.

People are still spending – but more wisely.

There's a light at the end of the GFC tunnel - and according to the panel of speakers assembled at Melbourne's Whitehouse Institute of Design, it's the dull glow of a computer screen.

Hell hath no fury like a cash-strapped state government. Nobody is safe from state treasuries as they flush out soft targets.

The weather was intolerably cold - but in the end, winter was no match for Wintour.

Financial audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG conducted its first Retail Loss Prevention Survey in 2005, when it interviewed 27 retailers across the Asia Pacific region.

While high long-term unemployment levels are closely related to stronger theft rates, it is too early to consider the economic downturn in Australia as the reason behind any rise.

The purchase of a CD only gives you the right to own the physical disc, to play it privately and to pass on the same physical disc to another person.

What is it? Money. Plain but very chic in the current environment, where securing a loan has become harder than securing a Birkin bag.

Then - trying to establish the brand and get a foothold in the market. Now - maintaining that foothold and protecting our market whilst also looking to explore any new opportunities.

I earn a crust by dreaming (and being a director of menswear retailer Harrolds).

The name Strathalbyn comes from two Gaelic words: 'strath' meaning broad valley and 'Albion' meaning hilly land.

NATIONAL: The battle over the most fashionable city in Australia has welcomed an unlikely player: Toowoomba.

AUCKLAND: Tamsin Cooper has well and truly proven she is a fashion designer in her own right.

PERTH: West Australian designer Ruth Tarvydas has looked to the city of Sydney to provide inspiration for her take on Australia's national costume.

NEWCASTLE: Self-taught womenswear designer Sheena Roberts was crowned Designer of the Year at Newcastle's inaugural Frock On fashion competition earlier this week.