Australian clothing labels FLO Dancewear and FLO Active will cease trading this week after 18 years.
The business was started by Felicia Palanca, a former ballerina, with the goal of scaling an Australian-designed, affordable dancewear business.
As well as selling via an online website, the FLO Dancewear and FLO Active brands have been stocked in key retailers including David Jones, Rebel and The Iconic.
Palanca said it was a difficult decision, saying the business had ceased to fill online orders in September.
She added it was no longer possible to sustain the retail lines, in the wake of factors including supply chain issues and online competition and tighter business finance.
All existing orders across the two sites have been filled.
“There is nothing more important to me than knowing our work has helped encourage a generation to take their first steps into dance,” Palanca said. “Unfortunately, we can no longer continue.
“Like so many Australian retailers, we have struggled to compete with cheap online fashion from Shein and Temu.
“We have faced supply chain issues as well as seen a drop in foot traffic at stockists since COVID.
“There has never been a time in my 18 years in business that has been as tough for Australian retail.”
Palanca said her mission has always been to grow the dance industry globally and she will continue to work towards that goal.