<p>SYDNEY: Seafolly has made its first venture into multi-brand retailing, purchasing Queensland swimwear chain Sunburn. The sale, for an undisclosed sum, will see the Anthony Halas-run label take over all 12 of Sunburn's stores, together with existing leases, brand names, copyright and stock.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

The five most read news stories on ragtrader.com.au in the past two weeks

NATIONAL: Cult Swedish basics brand Bjorn Borg is set to launch a lounge and sleepwear range in Australia, barely a year on since the domestic debut of its underwear line.

New chair MELBOURNE: Business supremo Laura Anderson has been named the new chair of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Seamless basics label Cylk has undergone a major overhaul including the appointment of a brand manager, market repositioning and expanded distribution and export strategy.

NATIONAL: Australian fashion businesses stand to lose millions of dollars in Federal Government funding if a new industry proposal gets the green light, a leading consultancy firm has claimed.

Job cuts UNITED STATES: Apparel maker Hanesbrands has announced it will close nine plants across five countries and cut more than 8000 jobs in an attempt to reduce costs.

MELBOURNE: A Geelong textile company has been prevented from implementing shift changes that would lead to a reduction in pay for its staff after an appearance in the Melbourne Federal Court last month.

A recently launched recruitment service promises to give fashion houses more bang for their buck while enhancing female TCF professionals' work-life balance. Maternity Resources is the brainchild of Melbourne fashion identity Peter Abbott - whose resumé includes the launch of organic clothing brand Humanitee as well as consulting under the Apparel Resources banner and senior positions with labels including Rivers, Jag and Diana Ferrari.

Victorian wholesale group Mercury Brands has seen its client base soar by 65 national retailers as a result of its latest apparel acquisition.

<p>NATIONAL: Jewellery label Batami Design and swimwear specialist Kini Bikini are the latest Australian brands to have signed up to fashion oriented DIY website provider Picaholic.&nbsp;A Picaholic spokesperson also confirmed the firm has recently re-launched with an enhanced, more user friendly system.</p>

NEW ZEALAND: A former client of South Island-based clothing manufacturer Temuka Apparel has purchased the firm, saving at least six jobs in the process. Invercargill based merino clothing company Glowing Sky Clothing bought the company after it went into liquidation last month.

<p>SYDNEY: Fashion Group International has issued a final call for bookings to a special event which will raise funds and awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Tickets to The Pink Ribbon Diamond Gala, which will be held in the Opera Point Marquee at the Sydney Opera House, are selling fast as some of the biggest names in fashion join forces to promote the cause.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>

Plus size offering MELBOURNE: Victorian plus size retailer Dream Diva has launched an online store.

Expectant mums look set to have their cake and eat it too, following the launch of a maternity lingerie label catering to the fashion conscious market.

SYDNEY: The Australian and New Zealand licensee for sportswear giant Champion is set to diversify its portfolio.