8/08/05
Western Australian fashion designers have received State Government funding to showcase collections at prestigious Australian and international fashion events.
Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale said 11 designers would share in $75,689 - allowing them to showcase work at New York Fashion Week, Melbourne's Mercedes Australian Fashion Week and the opening of Harvey Nicholls in Hong Kong.
"The Designer Fashion Grants Program is part of my Government's commitment of $500,000 over two years to encourage fashion designing excellence," Ms McHale said.
"The money aims to help develop national and international markets for WA fashion and directly supports designers with costs associated with travel for research and development, marketing and business development."
The Minister said the successful applicants for overseas projects included:
- Ericaamerica - designers Lucas Bowers, Erica Wardle and Tristram John (Northbridge) to present their designer collection at the New York Fashion Week - $10,000;
- DD by Megan Salmon (Fremantle) to research the US market to develop a successful commercial connection - $5,000; and
- Costarella Design - designer Ray Costarella (Mount Lawley) to attend the opening of Harvey Nicholls store in Hong Kong and present his design collection to the Asian media - $2,000.
Successful applicants attending this year's Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in Melbourne include:- One Fell Swoop - Emerging design collective Daniel Romanin, Marianna Mazzurra and Nikolina Ergic (Perth) - $7,399;
- Sevn Design - designer Craig Coetsee (Leeming) - $9,714;
- Ashe - designer Kelsey Ashe Marshall (Fremantle) - $8,990;
- Katya Design - designer Karyn Koevert (Leeming) - $8,885; and
- Preacher - Patricia Kong (Mount Lawley) - $6,863.
Successful grant applications for marketing include:- Xenheist - designer Bernard Taylor (Maddington) to implement an integrated marketing plan, to include website development and marketing material - $4,092;
- Saves Nine - designer Jessica Jubb (Maylands) to develop her textile accessory and jewellery label by creating an online gallery and website - $7,746; and
- Nikki Kovesi (Subiaco) to create a high quality, creative and versatile PR package for jewellery and one-off garments - $5,000.
"The fashion industry is booming and is a priority, along with other creative industries such as film, electronic art, fine furniture and contemporary music," Ms McHale said.
Ms McHale said the Gallop Government was providing new jobs and opportunities for all Western Australians, wherever they lived.
The next round of grants closes on Friday, October 7 at 5pm. For more information contact Aly May at the Department of Culture and the Arts on 9224 7324. Application forms and handbooks can be obtained online at
http://www.artswa.wa.gov.au For contact details of grant recipients call Rachel Davison at the Department of Culture and the Arts on 9224 7426 or email:
rachel.davison@dca.wa.gov.au Minister's office: 9213 6900
