FGI Fashion Flash Panel Speaker

Last night I was part of a panel including Vanessa Rochman, Design Director of Metalicus and Elle Roseby, CEO of Sportsgirl with moderator Patty Huntington. This was for Fashion Group International's Fashion Flash series held in London, Milan, Paris, Sydney and Melbourne.

After featuring a 50min presentation of the top trends for Autumn Winter 09/10, Patty asked Vanessa, Elle and myself of our experiences in the local Melbourne market in terms of retailing, how the economic climate had impacted on business, how we interpret trends and the natures of our social networking strategies.

It was revealed that Sportsgirl were planning a new website re-launch with a forum, blog, full time online editor, twitter integration and a new super flagship store to be opened in August at Chadstone. Metalicus also revealed that they were planning a huge program of variations on the "little black dress" for their investment orientated customers who wanted more classics and versatility in their wardrobes rather than fast fashion.

For those who missed out, there will be another panel in September as part of Fashion Exposed.

The Blogging Circle - Online Divas Blog

Online Divas have added my guest blog on Internet Retailing to their blog. A copy of the article and where it came from is all on their blog. I've also been asked to speak at the next Online Divas Event in Melbourne on Thursday 25th June with the gorgeous Kate from Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily.

Visit their website for more info.

Guest Blogging Article on Internet Retailing

I was asked by Mark Freidin of Internet Retailing (a new e-tail website) to guest blog the introduction to the Women in Retail section. It's been published online and may be an ongoing guest blogging opportunity for me to profile successful and emerging women in online. The website aims to support and nuture Australian online business owners who sell or want to sell online, or even those that just want to market online. Whether a green upstart or a seasoned online retailing veteran, this site has something for you and your business.

Read full article here.

Feature in Australian Financial Review

Recently, I was interviewed by Hannah Tattersall of the Australian Financial Review about the return of the shoulder pads.
It's an interesting trend as to the unsuspecting public, the return of the shoulder pad is truly a "pop culture fad" and yet there is so much more to this trend.

To quote the section I was featured in, see below;

"Fashion Forecaster, Kate Vandermeer says designers are lapping up trends because of the volatile retail sector. Consumers are uncertain about buying at the moment and if designers see something is selling they want to be a part of it. "This year, because a lot of designers are in a bit of a predicament - fashions tricky for Australian Retail at the moment because obviously there's just not the money that there used to be and its a superflous addition to one's lifestyle - they're looking for a commercial trend they know they can work with and that people want".

Vandermeer says the economic situation provides a suitable climate for attention-grabbing dressing. "The shoulder look first gained prevalence after World War I, along with red lipstick - It made women feel like, "we're over the war now... it's time for us to feel confident and excited, and look for some opportunity amongst the doom and gloom. The fact that it has come back now is certainly no coincidence. However, Balmain was one of the first designers to pick up on the trend and reignite it.

Just like a pair of high stiletto's makes your bottom tauter and you have to watch where you're walking, shoulder pads give a sense of authority. There's a little bit more of a swagger that one adopts from wearing the exaggerated shoulder", says Vandermeer."