Ananda unveils first in store series

A Queensland-based womenswear designer has set her sights on reinvigorating the resortwear market, launching the first in a number of boutiques planned for the sunshine state.
Company founder and designer Maysie Bestall-Cohen, who opened her first boutique dubbed Ananda Emporium late last month on Hastings Street in Noosa, told Ragtrader initial expansion plans could see more stores open in resort areas along the Queensland eastern seaboard.
"We are planning to open our next store on the Gold Coast late next year as this would be a natural fit with our label," said Bestall-Cohen.
"We have no set limit on the number of stores we would like to open, but at this stage we are just concentrating on areas with a more troDesigned in Australia and New Zealand, and inspired by Bestall-Cohen's frequent travels to India, the inaugural Ananda collection features swimsuits, beach cover-ups, skirts, pants, camisoles, jackets and Kashmiri wraps in a range of luxurious fabrics including silk, cashmere, pure merino wool and silk chiffon. A selection of one-off jewellery pieces, including earrings, necklaces and rings, are also available in-store.
The company also plans to wholesale its collections nationally in the New Year with first product drops to selected retailers expected in summer 2006/07.
"We also see the brand reaching overseas markets, in particular New Zealand. Preliminary discussions have already been held with several prospective clients [in the region] who have shown interest in our brand."
All products will also be available for purchase through the company's website anandaemporium.com from January 2006.