<p>MELBOURNE: The author of the Federal Government's TCF Review, has announced plans to make his inaugural address to industry. Professor Roy Green, who was appointed by Senator Kim Carr to undertake the review in March, will hold a presentation during which he will provide an insight into what he sees as the industry's strengths and best future prospects. </p>

MELBOURNE: Northcote based fashion and lifestyle retailer Hummingbird60 has launched a womenswear brand. Titled Hazel and targeting young women, the label would launch for summer with a range of frocks and feminine essentials, with prices for dresses averaging around $179, said designer Natalie Camilleri.

<p>NATIONAL: Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has said retail trade trend estimates released earlier this week showing a turnover increase of 0.3 percent for August, highlight the need for increased government focus on economics to continue the upward trend. ARA executive director Richard Evans the increase was notice for the Federal Government &quot;to hold a steady hand to the wheel&quot; and provide confidence to the community. </p>

<p>NATIONAL: Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga and Hubert de Givenchy will shortly be making their presence felt in Australia. Bendigo Art Gallery, in regional Victoria, has secured the exclusive rights to stage what is touted as the largest exhibition of haute couture in this country with more than 250 pieces from some of&nbsp;the world's greatest international designers.</p>

<p>NATIONAL: Global economic pressures have implicated Myer's operations in three regional towns; Dubbo and Wagga Wagga (NSW), as well as&nbsp;Bendigo (Vic). The department store&nbsp;has withdrawn the sale of flagship sites in all three, claiming financial pressures no longer made the sales viable for shareholders. Myer executive chairman Bill Wavish said the stores were listed on the market in August as part of a strategy to divest Myer of its remaining freehold properties in favour of leasehold arrangements. </p>

SYDNEY: Enduring womenswear brands Studibaker and Smith &amp; Miles have been sold. The brands, founded by designer Janelle Miles and husband David, have been picked up for an undisclosed sum by Alexandria-headquartered fashion house New Twist. The deal, brokered by Stenton Capital and effective from December 1, includes the brands, all intellectual property, winter season orders and all stock.

<p>PERTH: Luxury brand Aurelio Costarella's recently released annual report has confirmed the company's plans to expand its brand profile in terms of exports and new product lines. Future initiatives confirmed in the report include the launch of skin and body care products, an accessories range and a second fashion line aimed at a broader market. The company would continue to explore other means of expanding its global reach to maximise opportunities for strategic growth, the report stated.</p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Beyond Sportswear International (BSI) has released its annual report, confirming a &quot;significant improvement&quot; in the Group's operating earnings for FY08, while also anticipating strong future growth. Operating EBIT was $2.8 million compared with $1.07 million in FY07, with net profit after tax totalling $3.15 million, compared to $0.260 million in FY07. FY08 results had benefited from increased contributions from the five businesses acquired during the period. These included Kea Australia - acquired July 2007; Kombat Sportswear - acquired November 2007; Kea UK - acquired December 2007; GJK Corporate Wear - acquired June 2008 and Frontrow Rugbywear - acquired June 2008.</p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Mercury Brands executives have made a defiant stance in presenting the apparel group's annual report, arguing a new restructuring program would help combat its $7.8 million loss in fiscal 2008. The Victorian-headquartered company incurred one-off significant costs totalling $4 million in the year ended 30 June, including $900,000 in redundancy payouts associated with the restructure of the business and $600 000 in restructuring consultancy fees. </p>

<p>SYDNEY:&nbsp;Raffles College of Design and Commerce graduate Solomon Harris-Light has been awarded a free trip to the United Kingdom after taking out third prize in a London embroidery awards competition. The Hand and Lock Embroidery Awards are open to fashion students around the world with the aim of promoting the use of hand embroidered surface embellishment within the fashion, costume and interiors industries. The entry submitted by Harris-Light, who graduated from the college in July, comprised a striking&nbsp;charcoal grey wool dress&nbsp;featuring silver metallic thread sewn through sequins to create a starburst effect.</p>

GOLD COAST: Some of the country's most innovative garment and jewellery labels have taken out top gongs in the Australian Bridal Industry Academy (ABIA) annual awards.&nbsp;In all seven&nbsp;brands took out their respective categories in the awards with Springwood's Anita's Fashion named retail bridal house of the year.&nbsp;

<p>WELLINGTON: New Zealand fashion retailer Hallenstein Glasson Holdings has blamed falling consumer confidence for its 25 per cent slide in full year profits. The company reported an annual net profit of $15.86 million for the year ended August 1, compared with $21.3 million last year. Although Australian sales had increased by five per cent, overall group sales were down 3.2 per cent to $193 million. </p>

MELBOURNE: Department store Myer claims its turnaround to 2010 is rolling out according to plan, following a solid financial year. Announcing its full year results for the year ended July 2008 today (September 29), the retailer confirmed earnings before interest and tax for the period was up 30.7 per cent to $213.2 million, while net profit after tax was up 39.5 per cent to $95 million.

<p>SYDNEY: Australian apparel supplier Gazal Corporation plans to sever its ties with leisurewear brand Nautica. The Sydney-headquartered company has announced it will not&nbsp;renew its&nbsp;Australian and New Zealand Nautica&nbsp;license after it expires on December 31, 2008.&nbsp;As part of the expiry arrangement, Gazal confirmed it would continue to operate the Nautica wholesale business until June 30, 2009 and the five Nautica retail stores through to August 31, 2009.</p>

<p>NATIONAL:&nbsp; Multinational surfwear company Quiksilver is set to team with Sydney designer Sam Elsom to create a unique menswear collection. The limited release range will feature suiting, coats, shirts, organic denim jeans and T-shirts and belts and neckties. Quiksilver men's designer Ryan Scanlon said his company would take responsibility for the manufacturing of the collection however the handcrafted suit and denim styles would be produced by Elsom's own tailors with a limited run of just 300.</p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Fashion and lifestyle retailer Country Road is claiming victory for its first full year of operation as a retail only business with the release of its 2008 annual report. A statement in the report from Country Road chairman Simon Susman said the company's growth in profit before tax of 52.4 per cent to $14 million (compared with $9.1 million in the previous year) was testament to its &quot;long term vision&quot; of &quot;becoming a more simplified, focused and accessible retail business, with greater control over our own destiny.&quot;</p>