Could Australian designers be sending out garments laced with LEDs or mohair knits boiled with silky overlays next Australian Fashion Week?

NEW SOUTH WALES: Retailers in both Newcastle and the Blue Mountains are still struggling to assess the damage to their businesses wreaked by the devastating storms and floods of the June long weekend.

UNITED KINGDOM: Former Topshop brand director Jane Shepherdson, who recently journeyed to Australia, has warned of an impending "backlash" against fast fashion, just days after joining London ethical brand People Tree.

UNITED KINGDOM: Casualwear business Henri-Lloyd took out the top gong at the 2007 UK Fashion Export Awards in London earlier this month.

HEADING WEST: Denim and casualwear specialist Jeanswest has announced that Stephen Younane is to step into the CEO role commencing July 2.

SYDNEY: Eight years after he first burst through the doors, Simon Krite has turned his back on the fashion distribution agency he co-founded.

SYDNEY: Publicity and creative agency Blue Pedal has unveiled a daring plan to venture where Australian fashion marketers traditionally fear to tread: France.

SYDNEY: A long time favourite of surf lifestyle independents, girl's label Mermaid Sister now appears to have hit the distribution jackpot.

SYDNEY: Michelle See is no doubt looking forward to some much-needed shut-eye.

Department store Myer has added a host of new recruits to strengthen its executive apparel team.

Cashed up young adults spend four times as much money on fashion than they do on music or transport, a new report has found.

NATIONAL: Discount department store Target is ramping up its assault on the teenage fashion market with a double-barrelled collaboration.

SYDNEY: For iconic Australian swimwear and fashion label Zimmermann making a splash is all in a day's work.

Austrade Prague business development manager Katerina Mazurova offers aspiring exporters a lowdown on the Czech Republic's textile, clothing and footwear market.

Can Title The Swimsuit Author Sarah Kennedy Publisher Cameron House

She's considered to be one of the hardest working women in the Australian fashion industry. Now, after more than 20 years in the game, Collette Dinnigan is ready to take her business to the next level, as Assia Benmedjdoub reports.