Austrade media releaseWednesday, 7 November 2007 Australian high fashion will hit the catwalk in Jakarta today, as part of an ongoing promotional boost by Austrade, the Australian Government’s export development agency, following the huge success with Indonesian buyers at Rosemount Australia Fashion Week (RAFW) this year. Austrade has teamed up with Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia to host the first ever exclusive Australian Fashion Parade at Jakarta’s most popular boutique store Fj’L.
The event will showcase the latest collections from 12 prominent designers, ordered by Indonesian buyers during Fashion Week:
- Alannah Hill
- Alice McCall
- Camilla and Marc
- Carl
- Josh Goot
- Kirrily Johnston
- Ksubi
- Lover
- Nicola Finetti
- Sass & Bide
- Tina Kalivas
- Willow.
Six Indonesia buyers signed 57 major deals at RAFW with Australian brands – the largest in terms of deals struck and value. According to Austrade’s Jakarta-based Trade Commissioner, Patrick Kearins, the line-up at today’s fashion event in Indonesia is an indication of the strong market for Australia’s best designers. “Australian fashion is establishing a huge following in Indonesia,” Mr Kearins said.
“Boutique retailers in Jakarta stock over 40 major Australian labels. Our design styles and innovative use of fabrics are very popular with the local consumers, who love the fun, fresh and modern ideas and quality products.” Austrade’s Jakarta-based Business Development Manager, Devi Tjut said, in a market saturated with European and US brands, Australian fashion is the new “must-have”. “Indonesians are hungry for new talent and they’re turning to Australia for the “hot new look,” Ms Tjut said.
“The attendees at today's fashion parade are very aware of the work of Australian designers and are here to pick up the new season offering. They want what’s new, what's hot,” she said. Mr Kearins said more Australian designers should take advantage of the opportunities closer to home. “About 22 million Indonesians – less than 10 per cent of the total population – are able to afford some of the best known fashion brands in the world. This is top end consumerism in a market segment that’s the size of Australia, right on our doorstep.” Mr Kearins said the Australian Fashion Parade is part of a major Austrade initiative to promote Australian fashion in Indonesia. Austrade will host a series of Australian fashion shows at exclusive boutiques in Jakarta.
The next show to be held later this month will feature collections from Jayson Brunsdon, Marnie Skillings, Mad Cortes, Fleur Wood, Eileen Kirby, Nevenka, Melanie Cutfield and Moss & Spy. The highlight of the initiative is the publication of a 32-page supplement featuring Australian fashion in the Indonesian edition of the international fashion bible – Harper's Bazaar – in January 2008.
“Indonesians are looking for fresh fashion talent, and we’re pointing them in the right direction,” Mr Kearins said.
Besides high-end fashion, there are opportunities for adventure wear, teen wear, and contemporary women’s wear and fashion franchises in Indonesia. For information on business opportunities for Australian fashion brands in Indonesia, contact Austrade on 13 28 78. Available for interviews: Patrick Kearins and Devi Tjut, Austrade Jakarta
ENDS
Media contactPurnima Ganapathy
Tel: +61 2 3930 2319
Mob: +61 419 127 577
Email: purnima.ganapathy@austrade.gov.au
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre. |