SYDNEY: Transparency and frugality will be the hallmark of a new era in retailing according to one of the world's foremost fashion forecasters.

One of the largest players in the global streetwear sector is about to throw its considerable weight into attracting a younger following.

NATIONAL:Italian luxury fashion house Gianni Versace is preparing to re-enter the Australian retail market - less than one month after domestic license holders shut down its network of domestic stores.

A quick poll of assorted randoms lolling around Yaffa Publishing suggests most intend using the bonus for the very thing K Rudd asked us not to - retire debt.

Talk of a recession was difficult to avoid at the spring/summer 2009/10 instalment of Fashion Exposed - and even that came at a price, as Assia Benmedjdoub discovered.

The death of Leon Lehrer on January 29 marked the passing of one of the giants of the Australian textile industry.

No amount of economic doom and gloom could dampen the spirits of exhibitors at trade fair Fashion Exposed.

Major redevelopments, including projects at Mid City Centre and Westfield Sydney, have lead to increased interest in the Sydney CBD.

Australian airports are proving to be a lucrative space for retailers searching for high-turnover locations.

An encounter with the creative director of Swedish fast fashion giant H&M during last month's L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) reveals an iron fist in a velvet glove, writes Belinda Smart.

Fashion followers from all over the world made their way to Melbourne late last month to capture the action at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Ragtrader was on hand to capture a few of them.

Business confidence and consumer confidence have fallen to recession levels, and more bad news piles up every day. But are things really that bad? Matthew Nolan cuts through the hype and gives you some tips on identifying the real effects (if any) on your fashion business.

"Sydney was a disaster." No, it wasn't our carbohydrates that scared them off. Australian Versace licensees withdrew from the market last month in the wake of a "depressed" economy.

Every edition Ragtrader catches up with a previously profiled brand to see how it has evolved in the intervening period. Here Tracey Porter talks to Paul Paul Hootman of Mavi.

Given the hordes of visitors flocking to Bendigo Art Gallery's recent 'The Golden Age of Couture' exhibition it's easy to tell that the people of Bendigo are a fashion conscious bunch.

SYDNEY: Surf and electronics don't typically go all that well together, except when you're talking brand alliances.