Despite the importance of protecting intellectual property rights for the fashion industry, a recent IP Australia survey has revealed a large a proportion of the Australian fashion industry remains unaware of the intellectual property that exists in their designs and the protections the law may afford them, writes Lisa Egan.

With racing season, a store revamp and prestigious invitations from overseas clamouring for his time, the race shows no sign of slowing for Paris Kyne, writes Belinda Smart.

You know how to make an impression with clothes, but what about invoices? Matthew Nolan shares some tips that will ensure your invoices get noticed and paid on time.

"Can you believe I haven't had a chance to sit down and watch it yet?" Myer director of apparel and cosmetics Judy Coomber could be forgiven for missing her judging debut on reality TV program Project Runway recently. The Melbourne-based executive was busy working a crowd of 500 guests at Myer's spectacular spring/summer 2008 showcase in Sydney late last month.

With internet sales at record highs the time is right for fashion retailers to turn clicks into cash. Melissa Gulbin reports.

Byron Bay may be a slice of beachside heaven but it's far from a retailers' paradise. Melissa Gulbin learns why the sun still shines on Byron's label-queen Pompidou.

Assia Benmedjdoub talks to a current and former fashion design student from the Whitehouse Institute of Design about reality versus fantasy.

Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia chairman David Doherty offers some sound advice on supply chain management.

Name Damon Jackson

Boasting purpose-built facilities in the heart of the city, the launch of Whitehouse Institute of Design's Melbourne branch marks a new era in its history, writes Belinda Smart.

New Zealand may officially be in a recession but Caroline Mar is one fashion designer and retailer who isn't worried, writes Nicole Curin-Birch.

A childhood spent admiring the glamorous style of the world's best travelled women sparked a lifelong love of flamboyant frocks for the founder of womenswear label Wish, as Tracey Porter discovered.

Elisabeth Dignam is not lost for words when it comes to the current retail climate in Thirroul. "Shocking. I'm pulling in half of what I was two years ago."

<p>SYDNEY:&nbsp; Sydney shopping destination QVB has been chosen as the site for luxury Italian label Versace's first Australian menswear store. Located on level one of the historic building, the store opened today displaying what QVB describes as the &quot;perfect blend of elegance and stylish innovation&quot; widely regarded as the Versace signature. The store launched with a range of men's suits, ties, belts, sunglasses, watches and wallets from the brand's spring/summer 2009 collection.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

NATIONAL: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has suspended the operations of an online store selling counterfeit apparel, following&nbsp;a barrage of complaints from consumers across the globe. The consumer watchdog was granted ex-parte injunctions against Bindert Kloosterman and Xin Fang Shi, the operators of a business known as designerbrandoutlet.com, by the Federal Court late last week.

<p>MELBOURNE: As its start date&nbsp;draws near, trade fair Fashion Exposed (FEX) has unveiled a bevy of last minute confirmations. Firstly, reality TV show Project Runway will weave its media magic at the expo - which runs from September 14 to 16 - with two 'Runway' contestants, Helen Manuell and finalist Petrova Hammond, set to showcase in the new 'Design Evolution' precinct. </p>