Australia news and archive

Birkenstock to acquire Australian distributor

German footwear provider Birkenstock is set to take direct control of its distribution in Australia. On Wednesday, the publicly listed parent company, Birkenstock Holding Plc, announced it will acquire the distribution company Birkenstock Australia Pty. Ltd. through its subsidiary, Birkenstock International Asia GmbH. A corresponding binding...

Fashion

Rebecca Vallance to redesign Qantas airline uniforms

Australian airline Qantas has selected Australian fashion designer Rebecca Vallance to create its new uniform, following a competitive pitch process. The move will mark the airline's first major uniform overhaul in more than a decade, with Vallance’s new uniform set to launch in 2027, replacing the current design by Martin Grant, which was...

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NGOs crack down on alleged human rights violations within Australia’s fashion industry

Organisations in Australia are cracking down on local fashion brands suspected of carrying out systemic labour rights violations. A new report by Oxfam Australia, backed by the Human Rights Law Centre, has outlined evidence of exploitation and child labour specifically across Bangladesh’s garment supply chain, with potential links to Australian...

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Marks & Spencer enters Australia through David Jones partnership

British retailer Marks & Spencer has debuted in Australia via a new partnership with local department store David Jones. The exclusive deal will initially see Marks & Spencer’s core lingerie and sleepwear range, including T-shirt bras, lace styles, shapewear and thermals, introduced to David Jones stores and its online website from July 14. The...

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Australian organisations team up to develop country’s first National Manufacturing Strategy

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and clothing manufacturing company R.M. Williams have established a new partnership to develop what would be Australia’s first-ever National Manufacturing Strategy. The duo intend to mobilise efforts to “rebuild and future-proof” the local fashion and textile industry in the pursuit of building up a globally...

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Frasers Group to launch Sports Direct in ANZ region with Accent Group

Frasers Group has secured a 25-year strategic retail agreement with Accent Group that will see its sportswear retailer, Sports Direct, launch across Australia and New Zealand. The company said it is planning to open 100 stores in the region, with further opportunities among other retail and business segments to be potentially explored in the...

Culture|In Pictures

Martin Grant retrospective exhibition opens in Australia

Paris-based Australian-born fashion designer Martin Grant is being celebrated with his first major career retrospective exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, Australia. The ‘Martin Grant’ exhibition runs until January 26, 2026, and features close to 100 works drawn from the NGV collection, alongside more than 40 loans...

Fashion |In Pictures

India Hicks launches swimwear collection with Sea Level Australia

British designer and former model India Hicks has unveiled a swimwear collaboration with Sea Level Australia designed to empower “women of all ages”. The 20-piece India Hicks x Sea Level swimwear collection takes inspiration from the iconic allure of the classic Bond girl and features a monochrome palette of black and white, accented with subtle...

Fashion

Joor to platform Australian designers during NYFW

Joor has partnered with WeWearAustralian and Australia Post to platform and promote Australian designers during New York Fashion Week. The wholesale platform is playing host to a digital trade show event spanning three months, featuring 40 brands associated with the organisations. As part of the partnership, selected brands included in the Joor...

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Australian fashion giant Mosaic Brands bankrupt, Noni B and Millers disappear

Australian fashion chains Noni B and Millers are closing their doors after the receivers of parent company Mosaic Brands failed to find a buyer, according to Australian press, including Business News Australia. About 933 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the closures. Noni B grew to become one of the largest womenswear retailers in...

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Australian footwear brand Ugg Since 1974 changes name after legal battle with Ugg

Australian footwear brand Ugg Since 1974 is changing its name overseas after a nearly decade-long legal battle with Deckers Brands, the US parent company of footwear brand Ugg, which holds exclusive sales rights for Ugg footwear in more than 130 countries. The Ugg Since 1974 name will no longer be used outside of Australia and New Zealand. In...

Fashion

Australian Fashion Week secures government support

Following the exit of former partner IMG, Australian Fashion Week (AFW) has confirmed a new collaboration with the New South Wales Government to ensure that its next edition will go ahead as planned. Scheduled to take place from 12 to 16 May 2025, the forthcoming season of AFW will be backed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events...