Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) provided an opportunity for all sectors of the industry to gather at the roundtable. Ragtrader caught up with everyone from milliners to management consultants to get their thoughts.
NAME: Donny Gallela
CLAIM TO FAME: Menswear designer, celebrity milliner and television personality.
I'M AT RAFW BECAUSE: I'm "researching" the shows for a fashion segment on Channel Seven's Sunrise and The Morning Show program.
BEFORE RAFW I WAS: Flat out with [commissions] for racing season.
FAVOURITE SHOW OF THE WEEK: Bec and Bridge
WHY?: It was very young, very rock n roll and very on trend.
FAVOURITE MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Shooting fashion coverage for [corporate sponsor] Virgin.
NAME: Lyne Butterworth
CLAIM TO FAME: US-based founder and buyer for planettogs.com.
NUMBER OF AUSTRALIAN BRANDS IN-STORE: Four
FAVOURITE SHOW OF THE WEEK: Romance Was Born for editorial, Michael Lo Sordo for sales.
BUYER BUDGET FOR 2008 VS 2009: Let's just say the budget was substantially lower this year.
WHAT'S THE CLIMATE LIKE FOR AMERICAN RETAILERS: Four high-end stores have shut down in my area this year alone. It seems Americans will only buy items at 80 per cent off these days.
BONUS OF BUYING DOWN UNDER: The exchange rate this year was a relief. Last year it was dollar on dollar with the US.
NAME: Sunny Burns
CLAIM TO FAME: Beauty, fashion, arts and socials reporter for the Sydney Star Observer and Southern Star
I'M AT RAFW BECAUSE: I'm covering news and trends for spring/summer 2009.
BEFORE RAFW I WAS: On deadline. Always on deadline.
FAVOURTIE SHOW OF THE WEEK: Fernando Frisoni
WHY?: We have a large readership among the gay community and his menswear range always hits the spot.
MY READERS LOOK FOR: Fashion and accessories at every price bracket.
NAME: Zan Zhou
CLAIM TO FAME: Publicist and co-founder of Bespoke PR
FASHION CLIENTS: Five, most of which are Australian-based fashion labels.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING CLIENTS: People not spending enough.
THEY GET THROUGH IT: Because at the end of the day, fashion is fun and allows you to look beyond the doom and gloom.
FAVOURITE SHOW: Romance Was Born
WHY: Because it was fun and crazy and beautiful, unlike some of the other shows which were boring and safe. Am I allowed to say that?
NAME: Nila Oreb
CLAIM TO FAME: Founder of fashion consulting and management service Nila O.
FAVOURITE SHOW OF THE WEEK: Gail Sorronda
WHY?: The level of creativity and craftsmanship was exceptional.
BEST THING ABOUT RAFW: Taking in the shows and having the opportunity to network with local industry.
IT COULD BE IMPROVED BY: Having a stricter screening process for designers to ensure they are ready for the international market.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOUNG DESIGNERS: Financing and an [increasingly] competitive market.
NAME: Leigh Buchanan
CLAIM TO FAME: A contestant on Project Runway 2008
FAVOURITE SHOW OF THE WEEK: [Fellow Project Runway contestant] Julie Grbac of course.
SINCE PROJECT RUNWAY I: Can't leave the house without people saying "Oh my God, I loved you on the show". That and more [private commissions for] wedding dresses.
WILL YOU WATCH THE NEXT SEASON OF PROJECT RUNWAY: Is that a trick question? Yes!
THIS YEAR I PLAN TO: Launch my own fabulous fashion label.
IN FIVE YEARS I PLAN TO: Be in Paris working for a fabulous fashion label.