NATIONAL: A new initiative has been established to encourage the creative use of empty shop spaces and to reinvigorate regional cities with fashion and culture.

SYDNEY: Designer Ben Pollitt will make his debut into the world of retail this evening when he opens the first Friedrich Gray 'studio store'.

GOLD COAST: A successful outcome in a Queensland court looks set to boost Billabong's efforts to fend off a legal dispute initiated by a former licensee.

MELBOURNE: French fashion will be key to the line up at the forthcoming Fashion Exposed trade fair, with 15 labels set to be part of a feature exhibition.

SYDNEY: Cooper St's recent venture into opening its own store has revealed new product avenues for the dress-focused brand to explore.

SYDNEY: Noni B's aversion to aggressive discounting is set to boost its after tax profit by more than $1 million, the retailer has revealed.

NATIONAL: One designer will win a free catwalk show at a major Australian consumer fashion festival in this year's Chambord Shine Awards.

Ragtrader is a media partner of the Higher Learning conference for aspiring designers, to be held on June 17 and 18 at the Ivy Sunroom in Sydney. Event co-organiser Justin Levy reveals the story behind the event.

SYDNEY: UnderCoverWear is expecting a "disappointing" overall financial result for the year to June 30, 2010.

NATIONAL: Applications for the 2010/11 round of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Strategic Capability Program open today with millions of dollars up for grabs.

SYDNEY: A number of fashion e-commerce sites have been announced as finalists in the inaugural Online Retail Industry Awards.

Christopher Esber has just celebrated his first solo show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

Marnie Skillings launched her eponymous womenswear brand fresh out of college.

An injection of $37 million in funding from the federal government will ensure the development of a new cutting-edge textiles and fibres centre will go ahead in Geelong, Victoria.

Global brand house Club 21 Australia is introducing two leading international brands into the domestic market as part of a determined growth strategy.

The founder of retail giant Diva Accessories could soon be its biggest competitor.