The Herald Sun Marketing Breakfast is BACK!

A MUST, this not to be missed breakfast event for all Marketing professionals. This year’s exiting Marketing Breakfast speakers Chris Clarke (LBi UK) and Kevin Panozza (Engage P/L AUS) will cover off hot topics such as; building meaningful relationships between brands and their customers, engaging the technology empowered consumer, strategies for marketing to multi-channel communities, and transforming customer experience in the multi-channel marketplace.


Chris Clarke is the Chief Creative Officer at LBi UK. The Companies emphasis is on looking beyond buzzwords and hype to explore how technology and creativity can harmonise to deliver meaningful relationships between a brand and its customers.

“Marketing is at a crossroads right now.  So much of the bad stuff is about persuading people to buy things that they don’t really want with money they don’t really have.  This creates a fundamental relationship disconnect between a brand and its customers.  Brands really need to understand how they can add value, richness and meaning to this relationship and cherish it by engaging, listening and interacting.” – says Clarke.

Local respected key note speaker Kevin Panozza focuses on customer and employee engagement. Recognising the key role customer experience now plays in branding and in acquiring and maintaining customers, Kevin advocates staff engagement and organisational culture as crucial influences on how brands are perceived and talked about.

“In the current challenging commercial environment, businesses must find new and smarter ways to acquire and retain customers. Customer experience is now a big part of branding and the marketplace requires that every function of customer engagement is assessed and improved, taking advantage of new smart technologies where able.  Mobility, the internet and social media are changing the conversation.” – says Panozza.

The Herald Sun Marketing Breakfast is held at the wonderful Grand Ballroom, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, 25 Collins Street, Wednesday March 14, 7.30am, Tickets $130 including breakfast – BUY NOW.

Turn to page 23 of the official LMFF 2012 Program (pictured above) or visit lmff.com.au for more information.

LMFF promotes Australian designers during London Fashion Week

Getting dressed has never looked so good!  The team are so excited to announce that this month, LMFF will present an Australian fashion designer submission titled ‘The New Antipodeans’ as part of  the International Emerging Fashion Talent Award (IEFTS), hosted by the British Fashion Council during London Fashion Week 2012.

Five talented designers have been included in the Australian submission to the Award including Dress Up, Song for the Mute, Limedrop, Christopher Esber and above.  LMFF will present a captivating photographic exhibit displayed as large format photographs on the exterior windows of Australia House, Strand, London featuring a series of images celebrating each designer’s work.

Below is the exclusive first look at the still and supporting film release as part of the submission titled ‘Getting Dressed’ HERE.

Thank you to the team. Project Manager Yolanda Finch | Creative Director Vincent Fantauzzo | Film Director Barney Howells | Photographer Michael Fantauzzo | Producer Luke Coulson | Music 1200 Techniques | Makeup Director Blanka Dudas for L’Oréal Paris | Hair Director Caterina Dibiase, Heading Out for L’Oréal Professional |Talent Boki @ Vivien’s Model Management | Melody Le @ Chadwick Management | Olivia Roush @ Scene Model Management | Director of Photography Edward Goldner |Camera Assistant Chris Childs | Clapper Peter Wells | Gaffer Chris Dewhurst | Lighting Assistant Rob Dewhurst | Grip Dean Garro | 2nd AD Robert Kowal | Film Edit Pixel Kitchen | Film Grade Digital Pictures | Exhibition Curator Katrina Schwarz | Installation Genix Imaging

L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival runs from 8-15 March 2012.  Tickets are available through Ticketek or online at lmff.com.au.

The 2012 Program is Out

LMFF celebrated the launch of the program last week by hitting the streets of Melbourne bright and early to hand out free Herald Sun newspapers, custom wrapped wtih a special LMFF style guide on what to wear to the Festival.  The famous steps under the clocks at Flinders St Station came alive as five models previewed the autumn winter fashions from the upcoming Festival catching a lot of attention from passers by. Grab your copy of the official program in your local cafe or boutique or visit lmff.com.au to view the entire program of events.

All clothing and shoes were supplied from David Jones, all jewellery courtesy of Tiffany & Co. Models wear from left to right:

Olivia from Giant Models wears Therese Rawsthorne Peach Silk Dress, Tiffany & Co Ring and Bracelet, Black Steve Madden Shoes
Erin from Giant Models, White Carla Zampatti Dress, Tiffany & Co Necklace and Ring, Steve Madden Shoes
Abul from Giant Models, Carl Kapp Gown, Tiffany & Co Bracelet and Necklace, Nude Steve Madden Shoes
Mary from Giant Models, Gold Bianca Spender Gown, Tiffany & Co Accessories, Nine West Shoes
Emily from Giant Models, Purple Sequin Thurley Gown, Tiffany & Co Accessories, Steve Madden Shoes

Tickets to LMFF 2012 available now from Ticketek.com.au.

Fashion Graduates set to shine at LMFF 2012

The LMFF National Graduate Showcase presented by Sportsgirl returns for its fourth year in 2012 featuring an impressive line-up of graduate designers from across the country.

Following submissions of their final year folios, an industry panel including Graeme Lewsey – LMFF CEO and Elle Roseby – Sportsgirl CEO reviewed a record number of entries as they faced the difficult decision of selecting the top 12 graduates to appear on the highly coveted LMFF runway.  Below are the finalists who will be presenting their work under the guidance and support of industry mentors.

Courtney White – University of Technology Sydney, NSW

Stephanie McPherson – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Amelia Agosta – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Ju Young.Seo – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Laura HuiShan Li – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Rica Hardian – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Chris Ran Lin – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Tayler Ainley -  Curtain University, WA

Sally Edwards – Queensland University of Technology, QLD

Anna Langdon - Sydney Institute of Tafe, NSW

Natalia Grzybowski - University of Technology Sydney, NSW

Anisha Bhoyro - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Graduates and guests looking through the collections that will grace the LMFF runway in March.

The twelve finalists with Graeme Lewsey, CEO LMFF and Elle Roseby, CEO Sportsgirl

A special thank you to Concrete Blonde for providing the venue and their wonderful head chef, Ian Oakes for the delicious food.

The highly anticipated LMFF National Graduate Showcase will be held on Tuesday March 13 at 6.30pm at Peninsula, Central Pier, Docklands.

Tickets on sale now through Ticketek.

LMFF 2012 – Campaign Launch Party

Last night over 300 of Melbournes most fashionable turned up to party and celebrate the new campaign direction for the 2012 Festival.  The 2012 campaign puts everyday consumers in the heart and soul of it and is geared to profile our talented designers and support Australia’s diverse retail environment. Guests made the most of the Party Pod photobooth and literally put themselves into the campaign frame to make for some fabulous snaps! Below is just a taste of the fun and frivolity from the photobooth!

Thanks Party Pod! To see a whole lot more visit and tag yourself on the Party Pod Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PartyPodHire.

Behind the Scenes – LMFF Campaign Shoot 2012

Who said that shooting a campaign was all work and no play? At our 2012 Campaign Shoot, we got busy capturing the essence of our Friends of Festival, but not after some mischief making, light-hearted laughs and lots of coffee. Hair and Make-up teams from  L’Oréal Paris enhanced their natural beauty and then it was Lights, Camera, Action! Here is a sneak peak at what we got up to…Can you guess who our Friends of Festival campaign stars are?

The full campaign will be revealed on December 1st and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Photography courtesy of Woodrow.

To Bendigo we go for The White Wedding Dress Exhibition

The LMFF team headed to beautiful Bendigo last weekend to support and preview The White Wedding Dress exhibition.  The exhibition celebrates 200 years of wedding fashions presenting the most romantic, glamourous and extravagant wedding dresses from the Victoria & Albert Museum’s superb collection.  To read more about the exhibition visit the Bendigo Art Gallery website here.  This is the perfect reason to get out of the city and well worth the trip!

Designer Toni Maticevski in the spotlight – we love his dress in the Australian section of the exhibition.

Romance was Born (foreground) designed by Anna Plunkett & Luke Sales.

Wedding dress by Christian Lacroix.

Linda Britten and LMFF Chairman Laura Anderson. This stunning dress, which laces up at the back, was designed by Linda for Laura’s wedding.

Wedding Dress by Gwendolynne Burkin. Veil by Richard Nylon.

Also on display in the exhibition are gowns by celebrated designers, including Vera Wang, Norman Hartnell, Christian Dior, Zandra Rhodes & Lanvin. Also included are stunning wedding dresses worn by celebrities Dita Von Teese and Gwen Stefani.

The exhibition is on at Bendigo Art Gallery until November 6th, 2011.

Images courtesy of Monty Coles – see more on theloupe.org.

Learn How to Engage Customers through Social Media

Social media has brought about many new ways of engaging with your consumer. When introducing social media into your business you must ask why am I building this? Where are my customers ? And will this help me get closer to them?

The LMFF marketing and communications team will be sharing how they utilise Facebook, Twitter and other digital channels to engage with customers.  By sharing LMFF’s experiences and key learnings, you will walk away with new ideas you can utilise within your own business.

Topics will include: What is social media? What channels are right for my business? How can my business be more social? Ways of measuring social media.

Date: Wednesday 3 August 2011

Time: 10am – 11am

Price: $20 adult / $15 student

Venue: Lounge 9, HOYTS Cinema, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, Cnr Swanston & La Trobe Streets, Melbourne.

To book your place, please fill our the booking form and return to LMFF via fax 03 9654 9679 or email fashion@lmff.com.au. For enquiries, phone 03 9654 5599 (contact Katherine Thomas). Payment by credit card only, before Tues 2 August.

LMFF Studio Visit – Gwendolynne

Gwendolynne Burkin welcomes us into her Fitzroy studio, which sits directly above her store space just off Brunswick street, with a warm smile and the offer of a cup of Milo.  Bubbling over with ideas and excitement about some developments for the Gwendolynne label that are in the pipeline, Ms Burkin shows us around her studio – a treasure trove of beads, lace and heavenly trims.  Hand-finished gowns hang from the ceiling, reflecting the cool winter light streaming through the windows.

Thank you very much Gwendolynne for letting us take a peek into your studio! Visit Gwendolynne.

…More Studio Visits to come on the LMFF blog.

Photography by Brittany Singleton.

Designer to watch – Ana Diaz

Diaz debuted her first collection, Hybrid, at LMFF 2011 after being hand-picked from a multitude of hopeful applicants to show in the LMFF National Graduate Showcase. This collection was a vibrant and textural exploration of the relationship between humans and nature and how they have interlaced with each other throughout time. This collection has attracted some positive attention and Diaz has just been selected to create a signature range for the “Sportsgirls like” collection.

Read the latest press covering the next part of her journey…

When Ana Diaz’s parents fled El Salvador bound for a better life in Australia, it’s unlikely they could have predicted their young daughter’s early success. The 25-year-old business and fashion graduate, whose mother taught her to sew, has secured a major deal with one of the biggest names in Australian fashion retail.

Sportsgirl has contracted the emerging designer to create a signature range for sale in stores around the country. With more than 110 stores on the company’s books, Diaz’s diffusion line will give the Queensland University of Technology the kind of exposure of which most young designers can only dream.

Diaz will also join the ranks of famed designers who have contributed “Sportsgirls Like” collections including Rachel Rose of 18th Amendment fame, Richard Nicoll, Kim Ellery and the quirky duo behind Romance Was Born, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales.

Her parents are reasonably proud, the young designer says as she explains it all came down to a catwalk in Melbourne. “I’d been selected to show my graduate collection at the Melbourne Fashion Festival as part of the emerging designers program and it was really well received,” Diaz explains. “A whole heap of stuff came out of it, including the opportunity to take part in one of the mentoring programs [Sportsgirl] runs.”

After a first-hand look at the fashion manufacturing and retail business, Diaz was asked to show a selection of her collection – the only full collection she has ever designed – in the window of the retailer’s Chadstone boutique.

“This whole time they never really said anything, never even hinted at a possible collaboration,” says the designer, who finished university last year. “A few weeks later I got a phone call out of the blue asking me to take part in a new campaign – I couldn’t believe it. “I guess they saw something they liked and they basically said to me, ‘do whatever you want’.”

Diaz, who flew to Melbourne yesterday to show her concepts at Sportsgirl HQ, said her collection was inspired by B-grade Italian cinema of the 60s and 70s.

Unlike the graduate collection that started it all, her new looks will draw upon the vampish cuts and bold colours and textures sported by the genre’s voluptuous murderesses. “After I’ve presented my early sketch ideas and concept to [Sportsgirl], they’ll choose a certain amount of the designs that will go into production,” Diaz said.

“It’s been very nerve-wracking and hard to manage but I’m really excited about. “My parents are intelligent and creative people but because of the situation in El Salvador, they had to change their lives – I’m just grateful they’ve given me the opportunity to get to where I am today.”

Diaz’s designs will hit stores next year.

Article via the Sydney Morning Herald.

Photography by Lucas Dawson.

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Applications for LMFF’s Graduate Designer Showcase open in August 2011 for the 2012 L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.  Sign up to our monthly newsletter ‘Swingtag’ or join us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest announcements.

Trend Talking with WGSN

We caught up with one of WGSN’s leading trend experts from London, Sue Evans, to find out a little more on what we can expect from this week’s WGSN trend seminar series.  Sue has been with WGSN since its launch in 1998 and was instrumental in creating the Catwalks, What’s in Store and Close-to-Season directories. During catwalk season, Sue’s analytical skills bring a compelling commercial perspective to the 20,000 images she edits.


Image: Leading WGSN trend expert from London, Sue Evans fills us in on upcoming trends and the Australian fashion market.

1. How did you come to be a WGSN Catwalk / Retail Expert?

I spent many years in the fashion industry working firstly as a designer and then as a fashion forecaster / consultant working with  major brands and retailers throughout Europe, USA and Japan. Obviously catwalk analysis and retail trends are a big part of forecasting and consultancy and so I built up a lot of experience in both areas. When the Worth brothers started WGSN they called me to see if I would be interested in setting up the Catwalks and Retail directories. The rest is history as they say…

2. What key trends  can we expect for the forthcoming season?

There are several key vintage inspirations for next season with influences spanning decades from the 20s / 30s / 40s / 60s and 70s – we even have a Grunge trend, celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Marc Jacobs seminal Grunge collection in 1992. Other key trends are very much about updating best sellers through colour – an important trend in itself.

Image: Luxe Grunge, a key casualwear story to develop for youth markets where traditional grunge looks are updated in luxe fabrications and a contemporary colour pallette.

3. Who is winning in retail right now and why?

John Lewis department store is the winner on the high street in the UK right now. They have opened up their fashion offer and have nearly all the key high street brands on their fashion floor so offering a broad product mix that targets several key customer profiles. They apply the same buying policy to their Homewares offer too so attract a wide range of customers. Zara seems to be winning in the fast fashion area – they have some great on trend pieces and colours in store for summer and they are flying out. And of course the lower-end stores like Primark continue to succeed on price and fast fashion pieces. Peacocks are the new cheaper-end store to watch.

4. What challenges do Australian designers face by having opposite seasons to key international markets such as USA & UK?

The main challenge in my opinion is not to jump on the northern hemisphere trends too quickly as that means the consumer is bored with them by the time the actual season hits. This has become an even bigger challenge now the Australian consumer has access to online shopping on an international scale

Image: A key colour trend from WGSN, dark teraccotta expected to dominate as one of the strong Autumnal colours.

5. There has been a lot of talk about fashion becoming ‘seasonless’, what is your opinion on traditional seasons and are designers and brands adhering to this or is or is the idea of seasonality disappearing?

I think designers are trying to make fashion more seasonless by developing more resort and pre-season collections so here is always a sense of newness in store. However I personally think pre-season is all a bit of a hype and the reality is fashion trends are slowing down and taking longer to permeate and peak so seasons are evolving gently into one another trend-wise, making is feel more seasonless.

6. Since you have been working at WGSN what have been some of your most memorable and favourite trends over the years?

I love the colour we are seeing this season and the vintage influences. I also loved the boho trend from about 6 years ago — but then that’s very me. I am more of an old hippy than a modern-day fashionista!

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Sue presents WGSN trend seminars around the world and is in Melbourne now for the WGSN trend seminars, this is a must see event for buyers, stylists and designers, providing a roadmap for the season ahead. For more information on WGSN trend services please visit their website at www.wgsn.com.

Images courtesy of WGSN.com