Andrea Moore Plans Expansion Across Tasman

Wed, 3 Nov 2004

Andrea Moore Plans Expansion Across Tasman

Based on the success of her New Zealand show at ANZFW, Andrea Moore sets her sites firmly on showing at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in May 2005 - as well as setting up shop across the Tasman...

The response to Andrea Moore's collection, 'A Holiday in Napoleonic France', at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2004 has been extremely satisfying, report the owners of the label.

Positive feedback from media and buyers was reflected in the first-time orders from seven local buyers and repeat orders from established customers. The label is also in talks with David Jones in Australia and is awaiting an order from Charlie's in Singapore.

Anne Meyer, owner of New Plymouth's Meyer and Pritchard, said the collection was so "amazing" that she had doubled her usual order from the label.

Penny Barnett, buyer for Designer Clothing in Wellington, says she liked the French inspiration for the collection.

"I loved the intellect behind the designs and the fact that she'd used lovely tailoring from the Napoleonic period - it was very refreshing," says Penny.

Andrea's husband and business manager, Brian Molloy, says the show at ANZFW has propelled them much closer to their goal of expanding their stores into Sydney and Melbourne.

"We've sent a clear message to Australian buyers. The feedback we've had is that they were impressed with the range, they liked our stores and were impressed with our level of organisation. We're in the early stages of securing a contract with David Jones - their buyer has expressed interest in the Spring/Summer 05/06 range."

Demand to meet with buyers was so high that the couple made an unscheduled trip to Mercedes Australian Fashion Week in Melbourne to meet those who had been unable to see them in Auckland.

"We also used the time [in Melbourne] to better understand the Australian market in light of the response to our ANZFW show. We checked out all the city precincts, visited clothing boutiques and generally got an idea of the direction we'll take [in Australia]. We'll do the same in Sydney shortly," says Brian.

"I think buyers were surprised [by the Andrea Moore show]. They came with set budgets which they expected to spend on certain labels, and they were surprised by how good Andrea's range was."

A lookbook and DVD of Andrea Moore's show at Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2004 is available on request.

www.andreamoore.co.nz

ENDS

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