International model and body diversity advocate Robyn Lawley will speak about the growth of the body positive movement at the inaugural Sydney Retail Festival, to be held on September 14 and 15, as part of a series of free business seminars on the fashion industry.
She will be joined on the panel by body positive keynote speaker and founder of Bella Model Management, Chelsea Bonner and Jeans West General Manager Marketing, Belinda Waller to discuss the ‘power of curve’, the potential for growth in the fuller figure market and the immense opportunities for fashion retailers.
Other seminars include Sustainability and Sourcing hosted by Vogue’s Sustainability Editor at Large, Clare Press and including Ginger and Smart’s Alexandra Smart, Outland Denim CEO, James Bartle, the Australian Fashion Council’s CEO, David Giles-Kaye and Jeremy Meltzer founder of i=Change.
Renowned fashion journalists Janice Breen Burns and Patty Huntington will be joined by Kim Westwood, Founder and CEO of influencer market place Shopping Links to talk fashion media and influencers and how brands can engage with each.
“We have an incredible line up of speakers taking part in the Sydney Retail Festival to discuss fashion industry topics and trends including sustainable fashion, the power of curve, the growth of the influencer in fashion marketing and how to build a global brand, presented by those who have built them,” said Sydney Retail Festival Director, Jordan Wentworth.
The inaugural Sydney Retail Festival is a new premium fashion trade event and will showcase over 150 exhibitors including national and international emerging and established designer brands across apparel, swimwear, intimates and accessories.
Mr Wentworth said the industry was in much need of a premium fashion trade event and the festival offered a viable alternative to fashion weeks for emerging and established designer brands.
“The Sydney Retail Festival is accessible, affordable and an excellent opportunity for fashion brands to be exposed to large department store buyers, boutique and specialty store owners, online retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers including Amazon, Myer, David Jones and THE ICONIC amongst others,” he said.
The Festival has a focus on sustainable fashion with many of the exhibitors embracing ethical and sustainable fashion practices. In addition to the free business seminars, the Festival will feature two fashion parades each day showcasing over 40 exhibiting designers. The Festival will also feature a special technology section which will showcase the latest in retail technology and will including exhibitors such as Amazon Australia.
The Sydney Retail Festival follows on from the highly successful inaugural Melbourne Retail Festival held in March 2017 and is open to those in the fashion industry and fashion enthusiasts.
The Sydney Retail Festival is being held on September 14 and 15 at The Venue Alexandria.
For further information go to https://sydneyretailfestival.com.au
Those wishing to register can go to https://sydneyretailfestival.com.au/register-to-attend
