Austrade media release
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
In a coup for Australian fashion, Irish upmarket department store Brown Thomas recently unveiled seven new Australian labels to be showcased in stores across Ireland. The prestigious Brown Thomas Group has held an iconic position in Irish retail scene since 1849, boasting an annual turnover of EU$330 million.
The launch featured Josh Goot, Tina Kalivas, Kirrily Johnston, Mad Cortes, State of Georgia, Lisa Ho and Shakuhachi, as well as designs by Alice McCall and 18th Amendment.
Karen Higgins, Group Buyer for Brown Thomas, said Australian fashion was at an exciting stage of new potential.
“Australia is the next great untapped market for new looks,” Ms Higgins said.
“We sourced these designers at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney earlier this year, and have also learned a lot about emerging Australian design talent at the ‘Australian Style’ events organised by Austrade in London in recent years,” she said.
According to Austrade Chief Economist Tim Harcourt, the success of Aussie fashionistas in Ireland should come as no surprise.
“First of all, Australia has just topped the FutureBrand poll as the leading 'Country Brand' in the world. There’s been a surge in demand for all things Australia, and our sophisticated fashion industry is taking advantage of this positive sentiment towards Australian products and services,” Mr Harcourt said.
“Secondly, there’s the growth in the Irish economy with higher disposable income and consumer spending that is helping drive Australia’s fashion export success. Indeed, the 'Celtic Tiger' is still burning bright, after a decade of exceptional economic performance (with a 7 per cent plus average annual growth rate), and with a young, increasingly wealthy population, there will be plenty of opportunities for the 600 strong Australian exporters who sell to the Emerald Isle,” he said.
Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner for the United Kingdom and Ireland Kylie Hargreaves agreed that Australia’s invigorated fashion presence was helping add sophistication to Australia’s brand in Ireland.
"Australian fashion and design have evolved from the unknown to being highly desired and fashionforward,” Ms Hargreaves said.
“The Brown Thomas name offers prestige and cachet to our designers, and the significance of the launch to their profile was evidenced by the members of the Irish fashion press who attended, as well as influential stylists and a local TV Network (TV3),” she said.
“And the day after the launch the Daily Mail had tipped some of the designs for their ‘Most Wanted’ wishlist, whilst the Irish Independent had devoted a full page to the new ‘Wizards of Oz’.”
Austrade’s Chief Economist Tim Harcourt and Dublin-based Senior Business Development Manager Melissa Moloney are both available for media interviews.
ENDS
Media contact
Alisha Allen
Tel: +612 9390 2745
Mob: +61 419 267 780
For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre. |