NATIONAL: Tough trading conditions are forcing retailers to adopt an early discounting strategy. Fashion retailers across Sydney have begun discounting winter stock despite the season officially kicking in just yesterday, <em>The Daily Telegraph</em> has reported.

SYDNEY: Handbag labels have dominated the fashion categories at the 2008 Reed Gift Awards staged on Friday (May 30). The Bloomin' Bag Lady and International One's handbag hooker took out their respective fashion and jewellery categories during the black tie event, staged at Doltone House on Sydney's Jones Bay Wharf.

NATIONAL: National retail chain Sportsgirl is set to release a limited edition range of unique eyewear. The range, due in store from June, features three distinct styles all modelled on the the look of the 'international professional'.

NATIONAL: The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has urged the Federal Government to speed up its investigation into spiralling occupancy costs for retailers. The peak industry body accused the government of being too slow to release the Productivity Commission's report into retail leasing, which was due in March but now pushed back to August.

<p>MELBOURNE: Hosiery specialist Ambra has launched a range of ladder resistant hosiery, using technology originated by the company's product innovation team.</p> <p>The Ladder Resist range - described as &quot;revolutionary, extra-strong and ultra-comfortable&quot; by an Ambra spokesperson - was designed to prevent holes in hosiery from developing into ladders.</p>

<p>SYDNEY: Global ethical fashion brand The Earth Collection is believed to have become the first Chinese-manufactured company to be recognised by a leading European environmental group. </p> <p>The brand, which operates six concept stores across Australia, was awarded the coveted EU Flower for its commitment to the environment, by guaranteeing a limiteed use of substances harmful to the environment, as well as reduced water and air pollution and minimal textile shrink and colour resistance.</p>

<p>NATIONAL: Australian fashion retailers are gearing up to capitalise on the release of the <em>Sex and The City</em> film.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>Value womenswear retailer Forever New has announced it will launch a rosette brooch inspired by the film's leading character, Carrie Bradshaw. The limited edition accessory will be available from Forever New stores nationally.</p>

<p>SYDNEY: Accessories umbrella company Luxottica Group has announced plans to&nbsp;extend&nbsp;its Sunglass Hut retail network into Thailand. </p> <p>Luxottica Group Australian chief executive officer Chris Beer said the group had signed a franchise agreement with private company Diethelm Keller that will see it add 15 stores to its global network in the growing Southeast Asian market.</p>

Jade Roberts had little choice but to find her way into fashion design. Born into a family steeped in creative tradition, the East Sydney Fashion Design Studio graduate was still a pre-schooler when she first fell in love with her mother's "spunky" clothes and her auntie's "stylised" T-shirt illustrations. Now the time has come for Roberts to put her own talents on display.

NATIONAL: Wholesalers and manufacturers which cater to the growing designer infant apparel market will power through economic uncertainty, an industry research institute has claimed.

Australian leathergoods and accessory brand Mimco has again capitalised on its acquisition by private equity firm Gresham. The Prahran-headquartered company is set to broach into the footwear market this August, launching a range of trend-driven women's shoes through Mimco boutiques nationally.

MELBOURNE: The Australian arm of global surf brand Oakley is looking to ditch its masculine image. Since its inception in 1975, the apparel brand has been synonymous with traditional "blokey-type" pursuits such as surfing, golfing, mountain biking and skiing.

Lingerie brand Triumph is set to radically overhaul its existing offering in an attempt to bury its "nana" image forever. The 122-year-old brand is set to ramp up its positioning in the global market by introducing a new logo, new product categories and an expansive new marketing program aimed at driving Triumph towards a more "fashionable future".

Name Haim Bzezinski

There is not much positive tax relief for small businesses in the 2008 federal budget, other than confirmation of the tax cuts that were previously announced by the Treasurer. Tax expert Joe Kaleb highlights the key changes.

Although I've never been a big fan of Australian Fashion Week (apart from it getting lots of positive PR for the industry as a whole) I have a dislike of the shnorrors who show their labels off-site during the show week.