Proud Poppy Clothing has become the latest Australian fashion brand to hit the wall and appoint administrators.
Kathleen Vouris, Richard Albarran and Marcus Watters of Hall Chadwick have been appointed to oversee the administration process, with an initial meeting called for August 17 next week.
Creditors wishing to attend are advised that proofs and proxies must be submitted to the administrator by 5:00pm on August 14.
The brand was founded in 2019 by Tara McKeon in Victoria. The brand was operating around six stores across Australia this year, but has had to close three of its regional stores this year amid a restructure.
Amid the voluntary administration, the brand continues to sell clothes via its online store, and via its three other stores in Doreen, Toowoomba and Gimpy.
Speaking with Ragtrader, McKeon said the company could not support the three regional stores, hence why they had to close.
“They weren’t viable anymore,” McKeon said. “Those stores were never about cheaper rent or anything like that. It was about trying to bring community and inclusion to country towns that are lacking that; where they still have people out there that are searching for community.”
Despite those closures, the founder confirmed it is still business as usual. The other three stores remain operational, and McKeon said there are no plans on them going anywhere.
“Our warehouse is still operational, as well,” she said. “We're getting a big delivery of stock today. There will be a few changes that people will notice, but otherwise its business as usual.”
McKeon is also still preparing to go ahead with two pop-ups that are planned later this year, including one in Canberra later this month and another in Adelaide in October.
“We just had a pop-up last weekend in Ipswich, which was amazing,” McKeon said. “There's some images and videos of that on my Instagram.
“We had lines waiting to come in, and everyone was just so supportive, bringing flowers, chocolates, treats. And I was there.”
McKeon said this is first time calling in administrators, but she wanted to be there at the po-up to answer questions and face the community.
“But everyone was just so lovely, which I don't know why I expected anything different.”
Proud Poppy’s voluntary administration comes as the fashion sector faces difficult trading conditions and rising business costs. Through 2026, consumer confidence has hit all-time record lows, with business confidence not that far behind. Costs are also rising for both consumers and businesses amid geopolitical conflicts, and amid the tariff policy changes by the United States Government.
This has led many brands, winding up, moving into restructuring or calling in administrators, including the likes of activewear brand Stax which was sold recently, the restructuring of footwear brand Betts, and the closure of retailers like Glue Store, Lincraft and Barbecues Galore.
“I speak quite openly about business and the highs and the lows,” McKeon said. “Anytime I speak about this, my DMs explode from other business owners that are on the brink, trying to avoid it. And it's so sad.
“It's not just us. It's definitely not just us.”
McKeon will work with the administrators to rightsize debts, with a goal of returning to business under a new operating model.