California Apparel News

IMG Fashion just announced the debut of a swimwear fashion week in Australia. The event, titled Swim Fashion Week @ Sanctuary Cove, will take place Feb. 25–28, 2009, on Australia’s Gold Coast. Following the success of IMG Fashion’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami, this will be the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent.

IMG hopes to boost the Asia Pacific swimwear industry’s global reputation with the launch of the new trade-only fashion week. Swim Fashion Week @ Sanctuary Cove will be Australia’s third fashion event produced by IMG Fashion Asia Pacific. Other Asia Pacific events include Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, as well as MasterCard Luxury Week Hong Kong and The Earth Awards. Internationally, IMG Fashion also produces, manages and/or represents Fashion Fringe in London, Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, Milan Fashion Week, Moscow Fashion Week Presented by VISA, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks in New York.

Swim Fashion Week @ Sanctuary Cove will present the Spring/Summer collections of Australia’s leading swimwear designers along with international designers from the Asia Pacific region. The event will be held at the five-star Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove. Owned by Mulphas Australia Ltd., the sprawling 474-hectare development includes a residential enclave; two golf courses; a country club; rec club; four harbors; and a multitude of restaurants, harborside cafes and fashion boutiques. IMG anticipates the event will feature approximately four shows per day across a three-day schedule.

“IMG Fashion is proud to continue leading the world in servicing the fashion industry globally,” said Simon P. Lock, managing director of IMG Fashion Asia Pacific, in a prepared statement. “Following the success of Miami and the strength of the Australian swimwear designers and models on the global fashion stage, we envisage that over time, this event will gain more and more international attention.” —N. Jayne Seward