Another one bites the dust...

 

Welcome to the final edition of Ragtrader for 2010.

Each year, I’m never quite sure how to approach these issues. Partly because we at Ragtrader want to end the year with a bang. Mostly because all I can think about is ending the year with the bang of champagne cork. Pop!

A good chunk of the work was done on our behalf last month, when I received a letter from the chief operating officer at wholesale giant Gazal, paying tribute to an employee who had worked with the company for 50 years.

I realised then, that a number of ragtraders from multiple sectors were celebrating milestones in 2010.

For an industry which values speed to market, there sure are some long-serving staff members out there.

Three candidates were eventually narrowed down and selected for a profile in the magazine. One is a heavyweight from the wholesale sector, the other two from retailing and design.

I can assure you, there are plenty more who deserve recognition for their loyalty this year.  
These are people who have stuck with clothing, footwear and textile firms throughout ownership restructures, profound structural changes in the industry and some pretty tough economic conditions.

To all of you, I say congratulations and may you have many more solid years ahead.
Pop!

 You will no doubt be familiar with some of the insights offered by our interviewees, including Gazal’s David Holmes and iconic designer Collette Dinnigan.

Both spoke at length about what the industry was like before the advent of big machines, big imports and big business. And boy were there some equally big shake-ups in the industry this year.

Ragtrader has put together a ‘highlights reel’ of the headline stories on page 18. From the sobering plight of major companies in liquidation, to more hopeful breakthroughs in national retail developments and design talent, we covered them all.

It’s quite the experience to line up every single edition of Ragtrader magazine and trawl through our online archives to provide a summation of the last 12 months.

How did the Australian fashion industry fare overall?

There will be those popping corks in celebration, and those popping cans in anticipation. Of next year. I for one don’t mind a drop of either.

Readers, we look forward to touching base with you again on the flipside of 2010.
Now pop!