By Ian Neubauer
The organiser of Sydney Fashion Weekend – a consumer event that builds on the popularity of the trade-only Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) – have declared the event a runaway success after reporting more than $1.6 million in sales.
Staged at the Royal Hall of Industries at Moore Park May 14 to 17, the event featured ticketed fashion shows by Alex Perry, Nicola Finetti, Bec & Bridge and other prominent Australian designers, a VIP Opening Night event hosted by French spirit brand Chambord and the city’s largest designer sale.
Fashionistas take a break from the frenzy to enjoy
Chambord cocktails at Sydney Fashion Weekend
Chambord brand manager Kate Mansour said 12,824 people attended the show – a 22 per cent increase on 2008 – with an average spend of $126 per head. She said the spend per head represented a 40 per cent increase compared to 2008 and netted exhibitors a total $1,615,824 in sales during the three day event.
“At one stall there was a bouncer letting one in and one out a time; it was that much of a frenzy,” said Instyle assistant editor Amy Collins-Walker.
“There were some serious bargains. It was not just one of those fluffed up things where you feel ripped off. Some of the offers were 60 or 70 per cent off retail.”
Chambord’s involvement in FWS followed last year’s launch of the Chambord Shine Awards. The awards were developed to help emerging fashion designers achieve greater recognition within their own industry and consumers and to support the Australian fashion industry.
