Billabong founder asked CEO to jump

Billabong founder and major shareholder Gordon Merchant has publicly backed, for the first time, the appointment of Launa Inman as the new chief executive of the struggling surfwear group. Merchant told Fairfax that Inman was ‘‘exactly what they need’’. Merchant also revealed that he told 20-year veteran and former Billabong boss Derek O’Neill that he would need to resign....

Choice calls ACCC inquiry into apparel 'price fixing'

Australian consumer group Choice is calling for Australia's competition watchdog to conduct an inquiry into local apparel distributors who are preventing overseas suppliers from selling their products to Australian consumers on international websites or instructing them to increase their web prices. Choice spokeswoman Ingrid Just yesterday urged the Australian Competition...

PacBrands sale off the cards

Listed apparel and homewares group Pacific Brands has revealed to the Australian Stocke Exchange that talks for a private equity buyout have collapsed. The company behind Bonds underwear, Holeproof socks and Berlei bras revealed in January it was considering an unsolicited takeover approach from US private equity group KKR and was holding preliminary discussions. The foll...

Workshop explains Award and Fair Work changes

A presentation on the new amendments to the TCFAI Award and Fair Work will be included in a workshop presented by the Council of Textiles & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) in collaboration with NSW Trade & Investment in Sydney later this month. The free ‘How to better manage a fashion business operations’ seminar will also offer an hour of one-to-one mentoring with...

‘Bling’ a trend at FGI Fashion Flash

A presentation of the ready-to-wear autumn/winter 2012/13 collections from around the globe reveals plenty of gold and embellishments as the fashion industry turns to the luxury market for inspiration. This suggestion came from Tina Rigoli, Fashion Group International of Sydney (FGI) regional director, who was encouraging industry representatives to attend the FGI Fashion...

Onkaparinga - Days at the beach

In depth research and a strong sense of heritage have seen bedding brand Onkaparinga make a promising debut in the beach accessories category, writes Belinda Smart. Scratch the shiny, urban surface of most Australians and you’ll quickly find a rich seam of nostalgia, usually relating to long summer days at the beach. So it’s perhaps not surprising that one of this count...

AWM - An Australian story

Home textiles specialist Australian Weaving Mills’ extension of its iconic home textiles brand Dri.glo has leveraged Australian authenticity to create a compelling brand narrative, writes Belinda Smart. In the highly competitive bed linen and household towel category, the Holy Grail of ‘point of difference’ is often as elusive as it is highly sought after. However,...

Printing with a difference - Digital Fabric Print

Digital Fabric Print has already outgrown its first premises after being in business for less than two years. Dawn Adams reports. A new digital printing business was established in Sydney just over 18 months ago when its founder recognised an opportunity in the market. Amy Davies, who had learnt the printing process while working at a swimwear company, started operating f...