ADVERTORIAL: Evoke a revival

 

unnamed-17As we reflect on 2014 and welcome in the New Year, fashion insiders and business information analysts begin to forecast the upcoming year and it seems that after several difficult years, the clothing retailing industry is finally back on track – and the future is looking promising.

Following the Global Financial Crisis there were years of higher rental costs, decreased consumer spending, and tougher competition which together, contributed to the demise in revenue and profit margins within the industry.

This sparked a huge review of the Australian retail market which to date, already employs more than 10 per cent of the population. Fashion and apparel, footwear, jewellery and accessory retailers throughout Australia sought out new initiatives and campaigns to support them to evolve, grow and ultimately, revive the industry.

In September, the Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) acquired Fashion Exposed and confirmed that in line with this industry movement, in 2015 and beyond, Fashion Exposed will be revived.

Since the retail and clothing industry requires a much needed lift, this innovative move and announcement from AGHA could not have been timed better.

Timed during the two biggest fashion buying seasons of the year, AGHA will run Fashion Exposed Revived alongside the Home & Giving Fair and Design Life Sydney to deliver the biggest fashion trade event in NSW.

This ground breaking move to provide three fairs in one aims to support both retailers and wholesalers by delivering an all encompassing, one stop shop which meets the growing demands of today’s industry and time poor retailers.

As we all know, relaunches and revivals aren’t quick, cheap, nor easy. As AGHA promises to elevate NSW’s only fashion trade event to bring both retailers and wholesalers the valuable fashion trade event they want and need, many want to know how.

AGHA’s CEO, Omer Soker, reveals some of the latest initiatives being launched to successfully revive the event.

“The AGHA is investing heavily on the revival, bringing back the live runway shows with renowned Lara Inc Events who have worked with the likes of Alex Perry, Toni Maticevski, Christopher Esber, David Jones, and international couture houses Louis Vuitton, Burberry, DVF, Hermes, Gucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo. We have also engaged Decorative Events to style and theme the event. We’ll also be celebrating the revival with bubbly on the opening day, Friday, February 20.”

As part of the revival, AGHA has collaborated with a wealth of well respected industry professionals to launch the new era of Fashion Exposed Revived, showing that the industry is united and dedicated in putting Fashion Exposed Revived at the forefront of the fashion trade.

Since 2002, Fashion Exposed Revived have had a strong relationship with TCF Australia and since launching the revival, TCF and Fashion Exposed Revived have rekindled the flame and joined forces to showcase Australia’s best up and coming designers.

The revitalised feature will showcase spring/summer 2015/2016 and winter 2015 collections from the industry’s future designers.

Carol Hanlon, founder and CEO of TCF Australia, explains the integral need for industry professionals to come together and support the designers of tomorrow.

“It is vital for the survival of designers and retailers in Australia and New Zealand to unite and bring the spirit, innovation and creativity to the local fashion industry that thrived here for the past 55+ years,” Hanlon said.

“I have been in the TCF Industry myself for over 45 years and have seen many ups and downs during these times, but the end consumer still thrives on fresh new ideas, great product, personalised service, and the passion for fashion.

“I congratulate all those involved at AGHA to return Fashion Exposed Revived  to its former glory and assist our non-profit organisation TCF Australia to continue to bring amazing opportunities to emerging new designers to make new contacts with buyers, gain orders and showcase their skills and talents with their fantastic new collections,” Hanon said.

This revived collaboration with TCF Australia, alongside collaborations with additional highly regarded industry professionals including, but not limited to, Barry Nicolaou, ShoeCircle; Lara Karamian, Lara Inc; and Emily Weight, IMG Fashion; presents a strong message that professionals within the fashion industry are banding together to revive the industry and launch Fashion Exposed Revived.

Fashion industry professional, Barry Nicolaou, speaks passionately about how uniting together is an imperative factor in improving the future for the fashion industry.

“It takes a few key elements to unite an industry – most of these relate to vision, imagination, and persistence. It also takes courage to follow one’s heart and embrace a special message in a way which dream chasers only know how. The fashion/footwear industry is heading for change and as much as we may all not know each other, we all know something about each other. Our inspiration, our dedication to our vision, and countless hours planning and pursuing success in the face of certain failure is a challenge we’re all passionate to pursue.

“Fashion Exposed Revived is here to bring likeminded people together – to learn, be inspired, to grow personally, and economically. Most believe it’s about bringing suppliers and buyers together and on the surface this may look like the case, but beneath this lies the purpose of sharing each other’s passions with new and existing colleagues for a more inspired tomorrow,” says Nicolaou.

From the professional runways curated by the incredible Lara Inc. to the stylish 60’s inspired design story, it is clear that in 2015, a new era of Fashion Exposed Revived will be born.

For more information on NSW’s biggest fashion trade event visit fashionexposed.com.au – let’s unite together and join the revival.

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