Laura Anderson - LMFF Chairman

Chairman, SVI Global

What was the first piece of Australian fashion you purchased for your
wardrobe and why?
"When I first arrived in Melbourne I had friends showing me the best of what Melbourne and Australia had to offer. When they took me shopping, they said that I had to have something from Country Road. To them it exemplified Australian fashion and in its own way was (and still is) an icon. I bought a duffle bag and several suits which I still have in my closet today."

Christiana McCudden - LMFF Company Secretary

Senior Associate, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Who is the most exciting Business event speaker you have heard and why?
The Business Seminar is a great forum in which ideas from so many disciplines and industries are shared, expanded and explored.  My highlights have included Jane Shepherdson for her sheer energy and obvious love of invention within a savvy business context.  Also taking the "retail journey" with Wendy Liebmann in 2008 was an irresistible invitation to re-think how where and why the world was shopping.

Bernie Brookes

Chief Executive Officer, MYER Pty Ltd

What are the leading contributing factors in creating a brand presence and loyal following in the Australian retail market?
"The key to building any brand is research and consistency! You need to seek and accept constant feed back from existing and new customers while testing your brand changes and brand positioning. Building loyalty is about running constant litmus tests on the strength and character of the brand.

The second component is consistency- evolving the brand but ensuring the view and perception of the brand maintains a character that is consistent and throughout and window the customer looks to view or taste your brand it has to be identical and portrayed in a similar fashion each time."

Colette Garnsey

Group General Manager, Apparel, Cosmetics, Accessories & Footwear, David Jones Ltd

What is the most important aspect of developing future Australian design talent? How does LMFF contribute to this?  
"The most important aspect of developing future Australian design talent is creating the forums for exposure.  Designers need exposure to markets so they can test their ideas and develop their signature.  LMFF provides those forums where designers and markets (customers, retailers, wholesalers, marketing professionals) all come together to see, discuss and share the joy that is fashion."

Howard Goldberg

Managing Director, General Pants Group

What is your greatest thrill about working in the fashion industry?
"Working with smart, inspirational, innovative people in a exciting industry where there is constant  consumer demand for creative change!!"

Jacquie Naylor

Director, Husk Corporation

How does LMFF create a platform for independent fashion?
"The LMFF creates a platform for independent fashion in Australia by providing new designers a forum in which to showcase  their work, in a world class professional arena. By offering different levels of activity, designers can choose which experience is going to best showcase their collections and also work with their budgets. The LMFF provides the support to enable these new designers to present their collections to a broad audience, including retailers, media and the all important consumer."

Katie Somerville

Curator, Australian Fashion & Textiles, National Gallery of Victoria

What was the first piece of fashion that you considered to be a collectable?
"One of my most memorable early finds was a wonderful pair of 1930s metallic brocade evening shoes which I ‘rescued’ from a junk shop when I was in my mid-teens. The surface was a beautiful burnished gold and the diamante button on the ankle strap glistened like new. They went straight into the old glass-fronted medicine cabinet which I used to display all my latest treasures!"

Leonard Hamersfeld

Managing Director, Buzz Creative Product Agency

How do you keep up to date with what is happening with Australian fashion?
"There are so many exciting things happening in Australian fashion, our local designers are so inspirational.  Keeping up with it all requires me to read everything I can get my hands on. There are all our traditional glossy fashion magazines and these days there is an incredible fashion resource online. There are so many great fashion websites and blogs that there is nothing you cant find out. That being said nothing beats actually getting into the stores for the real deal!" 

Mark Tucker

Managing Director, L’Oréal Australia

What is the most innovative aspect of LMFF?
"For me it is two things; the access that consumers have to fashion shows and the way all our events embrace the whole city on Melbourne. There is access to fashion everywhere!"

Nia Stavropoulos

Managing Director, Sigma 23 Corporation

How important is Australia’s contribution to the global fashion market and how does LMFF contribute?
"Australia has in the last five years provided a unique handwriting in Fashion influenced by the ever changing environment and culture in which we live. In a jaded global fashion market where everything is up for re-invention, Australia’s  designers provide a freshness that the market is looking for.  LMFF has been instrumental in positioning our talented designers through major events, the media and retailers to give them constant exposure at the international level."

Robert Buckingham

Director, Mr Buckingham

Why is Melbourne a retail hotspot?
"Melbourne is a retail hot spot because there are so many extraordinary retailers who understand that retail doesn't operate in a vacuum and that great retail is about the connections it makes to the local culture, events, wine & food, architecture and education."

Sue Morphet

Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Brands

How important is it for large business to support consumer based fashion events/activities?
"At Pacific Brands it is very important for us to be involved in premier events such as LMFF, which allows us to take our branded messages and show case our ranges and products to our shoppers, in a highly creative and stimulating environment."