- Sportscraft will launch a new technical sports range into select stores and online in mid April. Voxfrock has not seen the collection in 3D but scanned the campaign lookbook. Key concerns in fabric development and design of garments appear to be flexibility, sweat wicking, UV protection, smooth surfaces, non-irritant detailing, flattery, fashionability and practical features such as discreet pockets and accommodation for headphones. Tanks are priced around $39, leggings (called tights) from around $59 to $89, and slick runner jackets $149. www.sportscraft.co
- Roopa Pemmaraju is booked to show her summer 2013 collection at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney on Monday, April 8. The Indian/Australian designer whose unique collections are based on vivid print designs by Australian indigenous artists then crafted in silk by artisans in India, showed at three consecutive AFWs without success before securing prize stockist, David Jones, last year. It was thought Roopa’s eponymous brand name, and the melding of Australian and Indian artisans was confusing to some, but it seems her doldrums are all but over as more hear of her extraordinary work. Pictured, Roopa’s silk jacket with “Jimmy Pike” print from her current winter collection, www.roopapemmaraju.com.
Roopa Marie Claire March 2013
- Posh Parisien leather brand Longchamp, is kicking serious goals in Australia says distributor, Hunt Leather. Last year 100 new Longchamp boutiques opened around the world including a fifth in Australia and, in the past three years, global sales of the brand that many long-term loyal customers think of as more “Tally-ho, pip pip” than terribly hip, jumped 75 per cent. Part of the reason is IT-girl model, Coco Rocha whose first appearance as Longchamp’s face three years ago, triggered the upward trend. Her latest commercial is particularly jolly, set to the Bee Gees classic “You Should Be Dancing” , as Coco wiggles her way through a checkpoint at JFK airport. See what you think: http://www.longchamp.com/en/home-en-249.html
- Leather is the new whatever but it can be devilish tricky to find a nice, flattering, fashionable example without a shocker price tag. This press release and short lookbook from Queensland brand Winston Wolfe looks promising. The range is small and simple, intrinsically youthful (some delightfully cheeky styling) but could also be adapted for an older, artful customer. Prices are fathomable too: a loose, long form textured leather tank is $320, a couple of versions of quilted sleeveless or cap-sleeved jackets called “The Goddam” are aptly named and nicely priced at $400, there are elastic-waisted and cuffed ankle pants called “Esmeraldas” for $320, and second-skin slim blacks “The Jack Rabbit Slim” for $590. Sales online are promised next day delivery except for the odd pre-order www.winstonwolfe.com
Compiled by Clarice Burke, Emily Dundovic, Janice Breen Burns.
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