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 streetwear label Meet Tyrone.

My name Karen Thom

Marianne Fashions has seen much change since it was first founded some 45 years ago. Besides the obvious rise and fall of competing boutiques in Lambton, the womenswear store has also seen a radical shift in consumer behaviour.

MELBOURNE: The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has issued a stark warning that the global downturn could necessitate a rethink of the Government's TCF Review recommendations. The review document - titled 'Building Innovative Capability' and authored by Professor Roy Green - stated that the TCF industry should build competitive advantage through innovation at enterprise level.

NATIONAL: A new study has told fashion retailers what they want to hear in the lead up to Christmas: consumers have money. The Foundry Customer Checkup Study, conducted by The Australian Centre for Retail Studies, has found the majority of domestic consumers are not "overwhelmingly" concerned about the current economic climate, with 64 per cent rating their household finances as 'about the same' or only 'somewhat worse than last year'.

<p>MELBOURNE: Leading adventurewear company Kathmandu has celebrated the opening of its 40th Australian store by launching a state-of-the-art store-in-store offering. The outlet, located in Chadstone Shopping Centre, features an innovative display of its Gore-Tex brand with an interactive video display and hands-on testing demonstrations.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>SYDNEY: Swimwear brand Seafolly has entered the sunglasses market. The brand's debut spring/summer 2008 eyewear collection is comprised of 13 acetates and 10 metal models, with three key looks on offer. These&nbsp;include the 'Fashion Collection', which offers trend-driven designs such as oversized square&nbsp;frames and wayfarers;&nbsp;the 'Surf Collection', which is aimed at the youth surfwear market; and the 'RX collection'&nbsp; for presciption sunglasses, including some options with 2.0mm polarised lenses. </p>

MELBOURNE: New retail precinct Brand Junction has continued its knack of securing big name fashion brands, locking in new tenants MNG, Guess, Laura Ashley, Russell Athletic and Pacific Brands. The latest to take space at the branded outlet centre join others such as Gazman, Midas, Mollini and Converse in taking space at the centre - the first for Melbourne's north.

<p>BRISBANE: The evolution of fashion wholesale company Orientique is almost complete. Just two years after husband-and-wife team Tom and Anna Tindall bought the company from its founders the repositioning of the company underwent one of its final tasks with the launch of the label's new swingtags.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

MELBOURNE: Menswear retailer Gazman will open six new retail stores across the country before Christmas. Sites in shopping complex Marina Mirage (Gold Coast), Westfield Doncaster (Melbourne) and Hobart were already confirmed at the time of press.

<p>SYDNEY: Pictured right is one of the many campaign images the Salvation Army hopes&nbsp;will lure a new generation of fashionistas to its stores. The charity group will officially launch a new campaign tonight (October 8), aimed at promoting the benefits of purchasing recycled clothing&nbsp;from its flagship sites. </p>

<p>NATIONAL: Sixtieth birthdays are not usually associated with slinky corsetry, but luxury lingerie brand Simone Perele is proving that rules are made to be broken. Founded in Paris in 1948 by corset maker Madame Simone Perele, the brand will turn 60 in style next week, with the release of a limited edition corset modelled on one from the year of its birth.</p>

<p>SYDNEY: More than 50 of the country's most high profile designers will provide garments for annual charity fundraising event An Evening with Our Designers. Hosted by Sydney mall The Strand, the event features high-end fashion shows, entertainment and industry workshops.</p>

NATIONAL: Surfwear giant Billabong has finalised its purchase of boardsports accessories brand DaKine. The purchase was announced on August 22 and was subject to several legal and financial requirements, all of which have now been satisfied.

<p>NATIONAL: Childrenswear retailer Pumpkin Patch has blamed a slow retail environment for its decision to slash 30 jobs at its Auckland headquarters. Staff were reportedly told this would be the largest number of job losses in the company's 17-year history, with 30 head office staff being made redundant out of 400. According to a report by <em>Radio New Zealand</em>, the company aimed to save $A8.51 million or 11 per cent of its total $A76.63 million payroll.</p>

<p>GOLD COAST: New South Wales fashion retailer The Elegant Shed has been signed as the anchor tenancy for a new retail development opening beside the Pacific Motorway at Beenleigh. The $90 million development, dubbed The OC @ Exit 35, will operate as an enclosed mall direct outlet centre and is touted for a March opening. Located on a 5.4 hectare site, the retail project is sited adjacent to the Beenleigh Rum Distillery and Tavern and positioned alongside the M1 used by approximately 775,000 vehicles a week.</p>