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."

Colette Garnsey

Group General Manager, Pacific Brands

What is the most important aspect of developing future Australian design talent?  
"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."

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!"

Launa Inman

Managing Director, Target Australia

Why is it important to make fashion accessible to the masses?
"Everyone wants to look good and feel great no matter what their budget. So it's important that every Australian has access to a wide range of stylish affordable product that is also great quality."

Tony Kendall

Director of Sales, News Limited

Why is fashion such an important part of the media landscape?
“Fashion is so important to the media landscape because it touches and influences so many other categories.  From a commercial point of view we see fashion influencing the creative and design messaging for automotive, telecommunications, food, travel and a host of the associated sectors like beauty, watches and jewellery. On the content side of media we have seen how important fashion has become in recent years in the editorial coverage of a diverse range of topics such as sport and politics.  Because the fashion industry is, by its very nature, constantly changing and setting the latest trends it will always be a driver of media content and consumption.”

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.

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."

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."

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."

Wai Tang

Director of W, Advisory International Pty Ltd

Where did you start your career in fashion and what is the appeal of working in the industry?
"I started my career in the fashion industry with Pacific Brands, a division of Pacific Dunlop. In 1999,  I was very fortunate to become part of the Just Group executive team and have further developed my career within the retail fashion industry for a decade or so. I loved fashion since I was six years old. I think it is a beautiful way of expressing oneself through fashion. Being involved in the industry is always my ambition and able to access and work with talented designers is absolutely stimulating."