The hike in the price of natural commodities like cotton has certainly impacted on Australian textile wholesalers, but as Erin O'Loughlin discovers, it's not all bad news.

NATIONAL: Clothing giants Target Australia and Pacific Brands have found themselves mired in legal action after former female managers from both businesses took issue with their respective employment termination.

MELBOURNE: UK womenswear label Lipsy will launch in Australia next month via an exclusive partnership with department store Myer.

Australian designer Peter Morrissey and department store Big W are evolving their exclusive partnership, with plans to expand the Morrissey “Man and Woman” collection and increase branding within selected Big W stores.

SYDNEY: Esprit Australia has farewelled managing director Andrew Bousie, making way for a new country manager sourced from Esprit's Asian operations.

In the first of a new feature series, Assia Benmedjdoub asks industry suppliers to comment on a current issue or trend impacting the Australian fashion industry.

They're transeasonal, make quick gifts and are generally more affordable than apparel - and yet every high street retailer is spruiking them. Erin O'Loughlin chats to three accessories labels to find out how they are faring in the increasingly crowded and “tough” retail market. 

Resale price maintenance has been a bone of contention between stockists and suppliers for some time, but a rise in e-tailers and recent accc prosecutions have unearthed the issue once again. Daniela Aroche reports.

UK online shopping platform Asos looks set to ramp up its assault on the Australian market, with a dedicated launch team and PR agency currently being assembled.

MELBOURNE: Mimco is set to launch a new product category to commemorate its 15 years in business.

SYDNEY: Designer swimwear label Hotel Bondi Swim is set to go under the hammer, as founders Fern Levack and Damion Fuller prepare to sell off the business to focus on external ventures.

The inner-city suburb of Paddington in Brisbane has long been the domain of local retailers, but big name brands are starting to take notice. Tim Hamilton, principal of Pandanus Property Solutions investigates the appeal of the shopping precinct.

The Lew family have made another licence acquisition, this time in the footwear segment.

Melbourne-based denim brand Grab Industries has collapsed owing creditors $2.3 million, with shareholders taking the brunt of losses at $1.5 million.

Zanerobe is returning attention to the Australian market just one month after the bankruptcy of a key US stockist.

MELBOURNE: The decision to launch Zara Melbourne two months after Sydney was not due to heritage building complications, city officials have revealed.