It is a common problem for suppliers at all levels of the fashion industry to go through times where they are faced with a surplus of stock which they need to shift but a lack of interest from retailers willing to purchase the stock upfront, writes Andrew Petale.

A new look. A new direction. A new league of designers with a preference for escargot. Organisers of trade fair Fashion Exposed aren't taking a light approach to the new year, as Assia Benmedjdoub discovered.

NATIONAL: Australian designers, developers and trainers keen to brush up on their pattern-making skills will soon be able to learn from the best.

<p>MELBOURNE: Gorman,&nbsp;a label already known for its environmental awareness, has further lifted its game to unveil a 2008 calendar studded with green events.&nbsp; </p>

<p>MELBOURNE: For brides-to-be browned off with white satin, Melbourne's Sofitel Hotel may have the answer.</p>

<p>SYDNEY: Perth-born Sydney-based label DavisEyes has set its sights on the 'Big apple' after securing a US agent.</p>

PERTH: International jewellery retailer Tiffany &amp; Co is set to open a store in Australia's precious stone capital&nbsp;of Western Australia.

AUCKLAND: External cost pressures have forced Pumpkin Patch to rethink its American expansion strategy.

MELBOURNE: Victoria's female style addicts will soon be experiencing one of WA's biggest fashion success stories in a whole new way.

SYDNEY: The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in a firm believer of having friends in high places.

MELBOURNE: Womenswear label Verduci-Smith has turned the heat up for winter with its first knitwear range.

NATIONAL: Swedish retailer H&amp;M has agreed to continue using Australian merino wool providing it is sourced from farmers who no longer practice mulesing.

Designers wanted NATIONAL: Arena TV has launched a call for entry for designers interested in appearing in the Australian version of US based fashion reality show Project Runway.

GG Low - just GG to friends and customers - describes Lennox Head as the "boutique version" of Ballina, a neighbouring town centred on an island at the mouth of the Richmond River.

<p>NATIONAL: Former Myer CEO Dawn Robertson has left her role as the president of US apparel brand Old Navy after just 16 months.</p>

MELBOURNE: Apparel, lingerie and footwear giant Pacific Brands has defied domestic and international cost pressures to lodge its strongest half year performance to date.