Governor supports Queensland fashion designers in USA

Queensland Governor, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, has been doing her bit to raise the profile of Queensland’s fashion industry in the USA, supporting Queensland designers at G’Day USA Australia Week Fashion Showcase events.

Premier Anna Bligh said that the Governor was the State’s representative at fashion events in New York today (Wed 21 Jan in USA), and in Los Angeles on Monday (Sun 18 Jan in USA)

“In New York today, the Governor met Townsville-based designer, Katelyn Aslett, and attended the Australia Week Fashion Showroom. Ms Aslett was Queensland’s sole representative in the event which was an invitation only showcase of fashion collections incorporating a minimum of 50 per cent Australian Merino Wool,” Ms Bligh said.

“It gave Katelyn Aslett an opportunity to show off her winter collection, titled Joyful, to influential New York fashion industry representatives over a period of two days.

“Buyers from major US retailers such as Barneys, Barneys Co-op, Searle and Hendri Bendel, along with fashion media Harpers Bazaar, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Elle.com, Marie Claire, InStyle, Lucky and Women's Wear Daily were invited to attend the New York event.

“Katelyn’s showcase included her cardigans featuring re-dyed and recycled wool and adaptations on her origami wraps. It also featured her new Many Petaled Skirt which is likely to be well suited to New York’s cold winters.

“Katelyn Aslett only diversified into clothing design in 2005. In 2006, her designs won a Townsville Regional Export Award and now Katelyn Aslett fashion is stocked in San Francisco, as well as fashion houses in Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Singapore and New Zealand,” Ms Bligh said.

She said that the Governor also received an introduction to Queensland designers, Kelli Wharton from Talulah and Karlie Price from Miatom, and took time to view their fashion designs in Los Angeles on Monday.

“Each year in January, the California Market Center hosts the Los Angeles Fashion Market – the most powerful tradeshow in California,” Ms Bligh said.

“The annual LA Fashion Market attracts thousands of department and chain store buyers from across the USA looking to buy in high volumes and check out the latest fashions. The event includes three full days exclusive fashion shows and trend presentations.

“As part of the Australia Week 2009 program, an Australian Showcase was held at the Los Angeles Fashion Market, to provide a launch-pad for up and coming Australian designers, featuring 13 Australian exhibitors, including Talulah and Miatom.

“Talulah took the opportunity to showcase their extensive range of women’s swimwear featuring high quality bikinis and swimsuits while Miatom showed their premium children’s clothing range including a range of 100% soft cotton, tag-free t-shirts with digitally printed images,” Ms Bligh said.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500