Digital Exposed Seminar

With Internet retailing still on the hot agenda, there is one distributor who has been very supportive of Australian retailers and doesn’t mind lobbying on behalf of them either. I (Phoebe Garland) spoke with David Mendels, C.E.O of International Fashion Group and his National Sales Manager Joseph Borchan about their thoughts on the increase of online retailing, what it means for Australian retailers and also what it means for their business as a distributor?

While consumers obviously want the best prices possible the current government legislation is having a devastating effect on our existing Australian retailers.
While speaking to Joseph Borchan, he provides some insightful reasons why Australian bricks and mortar retailers need high margins. As someone who speaks to them on a daily basis I was keen on his thoughts. Joseph gave me a thorough insight of what retailing is like today in Australia for his retailers.

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Image source: Fashion Gone Rogue

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Trimapee shirt, One Teaspoon jumper, Levis shorts, Gee Wawa boots

For Jamie Wdziekonski, clothing is a reflection of who you are. A unique opportunity to use your body as a visual means for passers by to interpret your personality, your mood, your essence.
It’s this sentiment that has over 10,000 people a day hitting up his cult blog, Oh Jamie every day. He is a symbol of modern expression, a poster-boy for today’s androgynous youth, and he will wear whatever he wants.
From thigh high boots to shaggy fur coats, platform heeled shoes and tassel shirts, if he likes it Jamie will definitely wear it – and well.
Working from his day job as PR for avant-garde Melbourne label, Trimapee, the 19-year-old is surrounded by alternative fashion, and it continues to influence his personal style.
This quote from a recent article in The Age titled `Boys will be girls will be boys’, sums his thoughts on his personal style perfectly;
“There are no boundaries in what I dress myself in. One day I can wear a pair of skin-tight black jeans with combat boots, the next a floor-length skirt with platform boots. I don’t like to categorise clothing into male and female. If I like it, I’ll wear it.”
Word.
So in that vein, we probed him a little further on the topic of menswear, the trends our boys are working on the streets right now, men wearing jewellery, and his favourite male denim brands.

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The J Brand Haute Hues collection

They’re one of the most popular denim brands in the world, worn and adored by a legion of celebrity fans, and even collaborated with luxury fashion brand Proenza Schouler on their fall 2010 runway show.
It is of course J Brand, and the cult label continues to climb up the popularity stakes with its boldest collection yet, Haute Hues.
From bright fuscia pink to banana yellow, sapphire blue and titillating tangerine, there’s a colour that is sure to make your style pop.
Kim Kardashian loves her blues, Hayden Panettiere recently took the streets of NYC in her rockstar reds, while Rachel Bilson took it down a notch to a more subdued hue of pastel pink.

Rachel Bilson, Kim Kardashian and Hayden Panettiere all wearing the new J Brand Haute Hues skinny jeans

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Siwy Denim fall 11 lookbook via Denimology

It’s arguably one of the most popular denim blogs on the world wide web today with the hottest, latest, trendiest indigo-inspired looks hot from the burst of a papparazi flashbulb.
Whenever a celebrity is snapped on the street in their favourite denim threads, Denimology brings it to you fresh daily with the brand name, style and link to purchase.
In fact, Denimology founder, Andy Knight knows everything there is to know about celebrities and their denim.
But it’s so much more than just a cult site for celebrity’s beautiful behinds, it also acts as a key inspirational tool and reference for what’s happening in the world of denim from where it all began in Levi’s territory of the U.S.A, to the lovers of tradition and the sacred selvedge in Japan.
They also regularly post Q&A’s with the designers of our favourite denim brands.
With so many of the Premiere Boutique Trade Show premium denim labels – Paige Denim, Joe’s Jeans, J Brand, James Jeans, AG by Adriano Goldschmied, Earnest Sewn, Genetic Denim, True Religion Brand Jeans, Hudson Jeans, Siwy Denim, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, LTB jeans – featured regularly on the Denimology site, we asked the guru himself to talk us through the latest in denim trends for men and women, what are the most popular celebrity brands, why people love denim so much, and his love for men’s denim brands made in Japan.

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Photo source: Denimology

They’ve been seen on the stylish pins of Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba’s hot post-baby body, and the sultry stems of Gossip Girl star, Blake Lively.
James Jeans is the new brand on our premium denim radar. And it’s simple to see why.
With a focus on fit, cut, wash and style these babies were designed for everyday comfort with a high-fashion appeal, so it’s little wonder the range is fast gaining cult-like status among celebrities and fashion fans alike.
The James Jeans Twiggy denim legging is the popular favorite with their super skinny silhouette and exceptional stretch.
We asked James Jeans about how Los Angeles-based designer, Seun Lim help transition the brand from an apparel line to a premium denim brand, why people love their denim jeans so much, and their unique maternity range.

Seun Lim

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Image via Herald Sun

Megan Gale with Alex Perry after his L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival runway showcase at the Royal Exhibition Building via google images.

To officially kick off our new Premiere fashion blog we sat down with one of the most iconic figures in Australian fashion the boss of ballgowns, and all round Mr nice guy, Alex Perry.
For those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting the king of corsets or the sultan of sequins, he’s a true gentleman, wooing you with his natural charm and couturier charisma.
And it has paid off, with women across the country lining up to squeeze themselves into one of his corseted creations. He knows just how to tap into a women’s femininity and identifies with our ladylike branding. It’s why so many celebrities such as model muse Megan Gale, television personality Catriona Rowntree, and musician Megan Washington choose his designs when they walk the red carpet.
But fashion aside, Perry won many of his fans as an outspoken judge on Australia’s Next Top Model. Viewers loved his direct and no-fuss approach to giving industry advice to the model hopefuls. Now he embarks on a new adventure as design mentor for the hit show, Project Runway Australia where he joins long-time friend and show host, Megan Gale.

So with that introduction, let’s get back to our chat with the man himself where he talks about taking a happy risk that paid off with his colourful Cuban Princess collection, a day in the life at Alex Perry HQ, why he chose Premiere to exhibit his Spring Summer collection, and how he feels about his `King of Couture’ title.

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