Business

NATIONAL: Big W will release a second Selena Gomez capsule collection following the first range's sales success.

SYDNEY: Brand India trade fair is set to return with around 50 clothing and textile manufacturers determined to attract Australian business.

NEW ZEALAND: Pleasure State is furthering its push into the New Zealand market with its 'My Fit' brand set to launch across the Tasman.

MELBOURNE: Myer has released its first annual report as a listed company, with changes to CEO Bernie Brookes' remuneration package among the included details.

Artisan touch

Independent fashion designers seeking to create a point of difference are increasingly turning to artists to form inspiring, collaborative fabric prints. Melinda Oliver explores the process.

Briefs

Organisers of Swimshow Australia 2011 have revealed the initial brands locked in for the March 23-25 trade showcase.

Shock waves

While The world’s attention might have changed tack, the impact of last month’s earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, is still being felt by fashion retailers. Melinda Oliver reports on the long-term implications for local industry.

Collette Dinnigan is standing firm in a trademark dispute with retail chain Colette Accessories, amid the launch of a new diffusion line and major store relocation.

E-Briefs

The latest www.ragtrader.com.au blog by iconic designer Jenny Bannister sparked heated debate.

The extent of Ed Hardy Australia’s creditor crisis has been revealed, with freshly released documents exposing the full brunt of the collapsed company’s unsecured debt.

Off the record

There’s smoke and mirrors, and then there’s smoke, mirrors, knives, daggers and another day in the ragtrade.

Fair play

The Order books have all but closed for the winter edition of trade fair Fashion Exposed. Erin O'Loughlin gets the verdict from key buyers, brands and organisers at the event.

While so many retailers are in a continual frenzy trying to improve sales with better advertising, lower price points and squeezing suppliers for higher margins, how many of them are putting the same effort into training their sales people?

Next big thing

TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio (formerly East Sydney TAFE) has a long history in producing some of the finest Australian design talent, from independent greats like Dion Lee to those working for larger fashion corporations across the world.

The hard yards

The Social Studio in Melbourne was recently declared Small Business of the Year at the 2010 Victorian Training Awards.

Australian fabric retailer Tessuti drew 98 entries for its 2010 fashion awards, which culminated in a ceremony at Sydney restaurant Table for 20.