Toni Maticevski has never been one for imitation.

MELBOURNE: The creators of a new women's knitwear brand are firm believers the Australian market has had enough of synthetic, generic knitwear.

SYDNEY: Retail chain Urban Store has gone into voluntary administration, leaving its suppliers little chance of recouping the "significant" funds they are owed.

Staying hungry It began life in the late 1960's as a technical apparel brand for the hardcore climber but now makes a pretty penny from non-sporting aspirational-types as well. Tracey McEldowney reports on the brand that continues to explore.

Alex Perry has crossed over to the dark side.

My dog - like my Scottish-extracted husband-to-be - needs to be kept on a very tight leash.

For a brand that prides itself on a laid back approach to fashion, Esprit Australia has sure struck up some fancy business moves of late, as Assia Benmedjdoub reports.

A new look, a new section and a whole other country. Assia Benmedjdoub discovers why Australia's biggest fashion trade fair just got bigger.

Let's talk about coats

L'Oréal launch The first day of February saw Victoria's glitterati turned out in their finery to celebrate the official launch of L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) 2007, scheduled from March 4 to 10.

If forecasters are to be believed, future fashions are all about the past, as Belinda Smart discovered.

Australia's love affair with all things Latino has influenced the way many of us choose to live our lives. But could a flair for the exotic even extend to what we see on the beach next summer? Samantha Docherty reports.

Ragtrader asks two trend forecast experts to peer into their crystal balls and offer their thoughts on what will prove popular in Australian swimwear for spring/summer 2007/08.

Consuming passions Gosh, female shoppers are a demanding bunch; their search for perfection reminds me of that sexist joke about The Husband Store.

Waking up to find a direct competitor moving into your niche market and threatening your business' survival is every fashion retailer's worst nightmare.

The Doctor responds.