14 OCTOBER 2017 THE POWER 30 WWW.RAGTRADER.COM.AU WWW.RAGTRADER.COM.AU THE POWER 30 OCTOBER 2017 15 PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

merce vendor Styletread. "The new deal triples our turnover and more than triples CARLY CAZZOLLI our footrpint by 195 stores to 290," As the head of Asos and New Munro said of the acquisition. It will also Zealand, Carly Cazzolli holds serious pull- boost annual sales by almost $200 mil- ing power in the eCommerce space. In The Power lion to $300 million, marking a landmark recent times, her team has scored major 30 moment for the footwear family empire. regional wins including free returns and There are rumours an IPO could be next price rationalisation for local customers. PIP EDWARDS on the agenda. “Being part of a global trading team adds a Sass & Bide, Ksubi, General Pants GUY RUSSO richness to the role that I really enjoy,” she Co. Pip Edwards has had creative He was the man who brought Kmart Aus- says. Prior to her role with Asos, Cazzolli input in some of the country’s most tralia back from the brink of bankruptcy, ERIN DEERING was the head of eCommerce for RM Wil- influential brands, culmi- increasing profits by 100% within two In 2012, Erin Deering and Craig Ellis liams and currently sits on the National nating in the launch of her own years of taking the top job. His new man- turned traditional retailing on its head Online Retailers Association board. athleisure venture P.E Nation in date? Work the same magic for ailing sister when they launched swimwear brand Tri- 2016. As design director for retail brand Target. As the head of department angl. Harnessing the power of Instagram, group General Pants, she proved stores for Wesfamers, Russo immediately the business uses celebrities to drive con- MARGARET ZHANG her style nous at a highly com- cleared $100 million in excess stock and versions and now records turnover of over If you were to describe Margaret Zhang NICHOLAS HUXLEY mercial level. CEO Craig King slashed SKUs by 40%. While restructur- US$45 million a year. Triangl, identifiable in four words, they would be: 'master of "Every working day I walk into a room once described Edwards as a true ing losses continue to pose a challenge, through its bright neoprene bikinis, saw all trades'. Since the launch of her Shine and am surrounded by amazingly talent- visionary. “She is a style icon and Russo has set his sights on taking down its US sales soar after celebrity Kendall By Three blog in 2009, Zhang has trans- ed, innovative students who never cease to has played a pivotal part in creating the likes of Zara and H&M. “They know Jenner told her five million Instagram fol- formed the concept of an influencer with thrill me," says Huxley. "Over the years trends in which the youth follows.” how to do volume and fashion and do it lowers about the brand. It isn't just front- her work as a director, photographer, con- I have had the great privilege of seeing In addition to her design creden- with their own brands. The only thing end excellence that has seen Deering break sultant, stylist and writer. She has worked many of my graduates achieve enormous tials, Edwards works as a stylist they are not doing right is they are over- revenue targets. She relocated to Hong with global brands including Chanel, success nationally and internationally." and consultant. priced. If I can clean my model up they Kong to ensure the brand was positioned Uniqlo, Yeezy, Dior and scored countless As a teacher at the Stu- will regret making the trip Down Under.” close to its supply chain. "I also think we titles includes Forbes Asia's 30Under30. dio in , Huxley has trained some were pretty lucky with getting in at the Her work in the international fashion of the industry's most prolific fashion right time, where there was a bit of a gap industry is balanced with a Bachelor of designers. These include Akira Isogawa, DION LEE in the market for a brand like us.” Commerce/Law degree from The Uni- Alex Perry, Dion Lee, Christopher Esber, Dion Lee established his eponymous versity of Sydney. Zhang is now based in Michelle Jank and Nicky Zimmermann The industry drew its collective breath on brand at the tender age of 23, debut- New York, where she continues to collab- to name a few. An artist and designer in March 27, when a mystery buyer snapped ing at Australian in 2009. DAVID BRISKIN orate with fashion heavyweights. his own right, he has been nominated up a $93 million stake in department store Just four years later, national retail icon Having helmed some of the country's Myer. That buyer was none other than in- Cue acquired a stake in his business and most prolific designer retail brands, David dustry billionaire Solomon Lew, who has his reputation for cutting-edge design has Briskin shows no signs of slowing down. carved a lucrative career in jaw-dropping soared ever since. Having shown at both Last month, the ragtrade veteran was corporate manoeuvres. In 2014, the Pre- and , Lee appointed Fashion Festival mier Investments chairman effectively has stockists across UK, USA, Canada and chairman. Briskin has extensive experi- blocked a $2.15 billion takeover bid for Europe. The designer now divides his time ence in retail, finance and investment as David Jones by purchasing a controlling between Sydney and New York, where his a director of a number of renowned Aus- stake in the business. The move forced po- business and manufacturing bases are lo- tralian fashion brands. He was CEO and tential buyer Woolworths to cash out his cated. “Resort is our most commercially shareholder in the iconic luxury fashion minority shareholding in successful collection. It’s grown strongly brand Sass & Bide from 2008 to 2014, Group, which it also owns, for $200 mil- year on year, particularly for our interna- before selling the business to Myer. Prior lion. Lew could pull a similar move with tional wholesale market.” to that, Briskin was MD and shareholder his Myer stake, forcing a higher takeover in leading accessories retailer Mimco from purchase price or ensuring no other com- doors to Parlour X, offering customers ac- 1999 until its sale to Gresham Private Eq- petitors take over the business. In addition cess to the likes of Celine, Balenciaga, Bal- JAY MUNRO uity. In February 2014, Briskin became a to his corporate prowess, Lew houses some main, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Stella Mc- The Munro family made history this year shareholder in and director of menswear NIGEL AUSTIN serious retail assets including Peter Alexan- Cartney and Isabel Marant. She raised the when it acquired Fusion Retail Brands, retailer M.J. Bale. He is also the found- It’s an Australian success story spanning 1500 stores, 19 countries and seven flagship der, Just Jeans, Portmans Jay Jays and Dot- stakes even higher this year, with a fully adding footwear labels such as Williams, er of Briskin Investments and Advisory, brands. And the man behind Cotton On Group is co-founder Nigel Austin, who ti under his group Premier Investments. fledged launch into the eCommerce space. Mathers, Colorado and Diana Ferrari to providing strategic advice to a number of started the business selling acid-wash denim jackets from the boot of his car. Raised Her secret? Whether you're behind a desk its stable. The move made it the largest domestic and international brands. "I’m in Geelong by a father in the manufacturing and import business, Austin combined or behind a screen, you will be called to player in footwear mar- excited by the opportunity, as chairman, his skills and experience to launch Cotton On in 1991. Today, his multi-brand retail EVA GALAMBOS front the customer. "Every single person ket, dominating over 10% of total retail to steer the Festival into its next phase of empire includes Supre, Factorie, Rubi, Typo and Cotton On. Austin has also reset Think independent boutiques are dead in who works for me still has to be able to sell sales. It also marked the fourth acquisi- success, alongside its dedicated board of the benchmark for retail best practice via The Cotton On Foundation, raising $60 the water? Eva Galambos doesn’t. It was and still, every now again, be called down tion in four years under CEO Jay Munro, directors and Festival team," he says of his million to educate 6,000 disadvantaged children globally. in 2001 when Galambos first opened the to work in sales." including shoe chain Wanted and eCom- new role. 16 OCTOBER 2017 THE POWER 30 WWW.RAGTRADER.COM.AU WWW.RAGTRADER.COM.AU THE POWER 30 OCTOBER 2017 17 PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

for the Australian Fashion Laureate title the Australian Fashion Laureate award a NICKY ZIMMERMANN a whopping eight times. year later. His commercial prowess reared Zimmerann: it’s the Australian fashion la- ROSS POULAKIS again in 2015 with the establishment of bel that has stood the test of time. With As Melbourne’s premier luxury mens- B2B wholesale marketplace ordre.com. new equity backer General Atlantic at wear destination for three decades, CHRISTINE CENTENERA Ordre now represents over 100 designers its side, global expansion is set to take it Harrolds reinvented its offer this year Vogue Australia fashion director Chris- globally, matching them to a network of even further. Co-founder Nicky Zimmer- with the opening of a three-level de- tine Centenera holds an influence that over 2400 retail merchants including Nei- mann has her sights set on retail expan- signer shopping mecca. The Collins spreads well beyond the pages of the man Marcus, Selfridges and Net-A-Porter. sion across the US, UK, Europe and Asia. Street site introduced womenswear to fashion title. In addition to shooting “Ultimately designers will determine what Zimmermann has 22 boutiques globally its merchandise mix for the first time. editors and styling runway shows, Cen- strategy will work best for them. Can social and 250 stockists including Barney’s New Overseeing the move was Ross Poula- tenera has consulted for fashion labels media be commercialised into consumer York, Saks 5th Avenue, Harrods and Net- kis, Harrolds managing director since including Dion Lee, Josh Goot, Kanye sales and will industry buyers attend to a-Porter. She credits a slow and steady ap- 2012. Under his leadership, the busi- West's Yeezy and Ksubi. Having recently purchase wholesale collections?” proach to the brand’s success. “We grew ness has further diversified with the relocated to New York, Centenera con- organically and made the decision to focus opening of an outlet at Birkenhead tinues to punch above her weight pro- on the US over trying to spend a whole lot Point Sydney and relaunched its pri- ducing content for print and digital edi- ANTHONY HALAS of different international markets at once.” vate label suiting range. “Harrolds’ tai- tions of Vogue. She has also styled some Seafolly's Anthony Halas always had loring business has gone from strength of the world's biggest stars including big dreams for the iconic swimwear to strength which has inspired this Kim Kardashian, Cate Blanchett and brand - and they're about to get bigger. PATRICK SCHMIDT new development. It offers the finest Cara Delevingne. During a recent panel This year, Seafolly combined with Ma- Patrick Schmidt predicts The Iconic Italian tailoring at an appealing price discussion at the Powerhouse Museum, aji to create a global swimwear and life- will receive 10 million visits this sum- point, attracting a new demographic she had wise words of advice for emerg- style conglomerate. The move comes as mer alone. As CEO of Australia’s biggest of younger customers.” ing creatives in the industry: "I think it makes significant in-roads into the fashion eCommerce platform, Schmidt is you need to focus on what you’re doing, US retail market, following the open- now targeting the luxury designer space. don’t worry about the competition and ing of its first physical location in New- Its freshly launched Premium section al- just do the best you can." port Beach in 2013. With shareholder ready features 150 brands, with plans to Luke Grana has raised over $US16 mil- gised and inspired by new talents in the L Catterton Asia behind its back, Ha- double this in the next year. “We don’t lion for his disruptive eCommerce fashion industry from designers, models, las believes future potential is limit- want to be the niche,” he says. “We don’t venture. The Australian entrepreneur photographers and artists," he says. SIMON LOCK less. "Coupled with Maaji and bring- want to be one of the small guys play- launched Grana in 2014, offering luxury When it comes to the commercial realities ing together our target markets and ing in just one section of the market.” clothing at a fraction of the price. In Feb- of ready-to-wear fashion, Simon Lock has value propositions, this merger creates Schmidt has the big ballgame experience, ruary 2014, a beta version launched and LANA HOPKINS held a crystal ball since 1996. This is the a unique and powerful offering on the having held the title of Group Australia 2000 shirts sold out in three weeks. Gra- This year, Lana Hopkins achieved a year Lock launched Mercedes-Benz Fash- global landscape. With the backing CEO and international vice president of na plans to double its head count to 100 great American dream, opening her first ion Week Australia, prior to its acquisition of L Catterton Asia, we will gain ac- Groupon Latin America. by the end of this year and relocate to a stand-alone store in New Jersey. Initially by IMG International in 2005. Lock re- cess to their ability to source supplies, 1700 square metre warehouse, backed by launched in 2014, Mon Purse has enjoyed mained as managing director of the group's improve product distribution and en- MELANIE FLINTOFF funding from Alibaba's entrepreneurship a rapid rise to fame, selling to more than Asia Pacific business until 2010, scooping hance retail channels.” CHRIS KYVETOS You know you're on to a good thing when fund. "On average we have been growing 35 countries and premium partners in- A truly disruptive spirit is at the core you secure a loan partially funded by a sales by 15% every month at a minimum. cluding Bloomingdales, Selfridges and of Chris Kyvetos, the founder of lux- state government. That's what happened I think investors really liked the maths Myer. The custom bag brand originally ury footwear business Sneakerboy and in 2015, when Melanie Flintoff' was given behind our business but I think also the traded online, before opening a flagship YASMIN SEWELL former creative director at Harrolds. a $19 million taxpayer-funded guarantee scalability. Being in Hong Kong makes us boutique in Paddington and concessions Yasmin Sewell has enjoyed a prolific career in the Sneakerboy’s new Chadstone Shopping to take her business global. Since then, very scalable into a lot of new countries as in Myer. “The reaction and traction from global fashion industry since leaving Sydney at Centre is recording 15,000 customers Australian Fashion Labels has opened well as product categories." the US market in just five months since the age of 20. In the past year alone, Sewell has per week. How? It allows customers a Shanghai office, a Hong Kong global opening our first Bloomingdale's store has moved from her role as Style.com fashion direc- to trade wares in a secondary market. distribution centre, an LA pop-up and a been phenomenal," Hopkins says. "Our tor to take up a vice president position at luxury “In 2017, consumers no longer need dedicated website for the Chinese mar- MARK VASSALLO expansion into the UK and US is first and eCommerce platform Farfetch. Other notable the retailer to shop as they are trad- ket. Australian Fashion Labels will cel- As a creative director and stylist, Mark foremost a humbling and inspiring expe- career accolades include a three year stint as ing amongst themselves, none more so ebrate 10 years of business in 2017, selling Vassallo has spent 25 years working be- rience. The success validates our plans to head buyer for iconic London department store than sneaker consumers. They trade on through 1,700 global stockists worldwide hind-the-scenes for some of the industry's further grow the brand in the US.” Browns and the launch of a consultancy firm forums, social networks and at swap including major department stores, as well biggest names. At this year's Mercedes- working with clients such as Liberty, Browns meets and this is growing at a rate of as its own online and bricks and mortar Benz Fashion Week Australia, Vassallo and Courtney Love. Her current role at Farfetch 25x retail growth.” A quarter of Sneak- retail platform. Its labels include Finders was responsible for the creative execu- ROCCO BRAEUNIGER sees her manage global creative and editorial erboy's new Chadstone floorspace is Keepers, C/MEO Collective, Keepsake, tion of six shows including Romance Was Haven't heard of Rocco Braeuniger just teams, as well as overseeing the creative styling dedicated to the ‘sneaker exchange’ The Fifth and Jaggar Footwear. Born, Dion Lee and Sass & Bide. In addi- yet? As the newly appointed country direction of the website. “Farfetch is undoubt- (DSX) where customers can display, tion to styling work for advertising cam- manager of Amazon Australia, you soon edly one of the most innovative companies in buy and sell sneakers from each other paigns and editorial shoots, he has also will. Braeuniger will be responsible for today’s retail landscape,” Sewell says. with Sneakerboy acting as a quality and LUKE GRANA held style director positions with Oyster, over 1000 local employees and multiple integrity moderator. Since relocating to Hong Kong in 2013, Harper's Bazaar and Grazia. "I am ener- fulfillment centres nationally. Braeuniger 18 OCTOBER 2017 THE POWER 30 WWW.RAGTRADER.COM.AU PRESENTED BY

Australian Fashion Chamber (AFC), PETER ALEXANDER Edwina McCann continues to make Launching his namesake brand great strides as an industry supporter. with a $3000 loan, Peter Alexan- While the Vogue editor-in-chief is well der has now celebrated 30 years known for her prolific media career, she in business. From designing and has also emerged a powerful business packing sleepwear in his mother’s force. Within a year of the AFC launch- kitchen to selling his business the ing, McCann commandeered a Memo- Just Group in 2000, Alexander randum of Understanding with the De- continues to dominate the sleep- partment of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) in wear game. The brand recently Canberra. It saw DFAT roll out 15 over- opened its 103rd store within seas fashion events across capitals such Australia and New Zealand, and as New York, , London, New Dehli recorded sales of $89.1 million in and Abu Dhabi. This year, the Chamber the first half of last year. “From has already initiated multiple industry doing 12 collections a year as a seminars, briefings and partnerships. medium business, now I do 24 This includes a recent designer finance collections a year and I’m doing seminar at the AMP Capital Towers. ladies, mens, kids, gift. I can’t stop for a minute.”

started working at Amazon in 2006 via tious industry project is ethical sourcing a range of roles, including managing the manager Jaana Quaintance-James, who sporting and outdoor goods category sec- has made significant in-roads since joining tions. The experience will prove essential the department store in 2015. One of these in competing with Super Retail Group, changes requires all private label suppliers which has converted its Amart stores into to provide independent, third party audits upmarket sister brand Rebel. The move from their factories, through the Supplier will see it save $15 million in annual costs Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX). "Overall and better address the competitive threat our intent is to take a leadership position in of Amazon. ethical sourcing by driving positive change on environmental, social and ethical stan- dards along our supply chain," she says. JAANA QUAINTANCE-JAMES One day, David Jones wants 100% of its products to be ethically sourced and made NIKKI ANDREWS including fashion, which comprises over When Foreign Minister Julie Bishop half of its business. Leading this ambi- gathered industry figureheads for a brief- GARY NOVIS ing on fashion diplomacy, there was one When it comes to big industry deals in PR executive present. Nikki Andrews. As 2017, it doesn’t get much bigger than the the founder of NAC Media Group, An- $302 million buyout of Retail Apparel drews has played a pivotal role in the cre- Group. South African retailer The Fos- ative and strategic direction of multiple chini Group is now the largest menswear fashion brands for over 18 years. Clients retailer in Australia, after scooping its have included R.M. Williams, Peter Al- portfolio of brands. These include YD, exander, Collette Dinnigan and Wool- Tarocash and Connor. The man who mark. While Andrews prefers to work be- took Retail Apparel Group to the bar- hind the scenes in a client-first approach, gaining table? CEO Gary Novis. Hav- her position in the sector is no secret. This ing held the role since 2008, Novis has year, NAC Media navigated numerous steered the business through multiple important industry gatherings including opportunities and challenges, includ- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Australia. ing the launch of value-driven player Connor and plus-size menswear brand Johnny Bigg. Prior to joining Retail Ap- EDWINA MCCANN parel Group, Novis helmed the apparel As one of the founding members of the division of Specialty Fashion Group. ■