Demise of Dinnigan causes designer to reflect on business

Press Release
Thursday 31 October
For Immediate Release

Demise of Dinnigan causes designer to reflect on traditional business models

This week it was announced that Australian fashion designer Collette Dinnigan will close her mainline label at the end of the year – causing designers to ask… who is safe?

With fashion designers having to compete with an influx of international chain stores, luxury brands as well as customers having a world of online retail options, designers including Dinnigan, Lisa Ho and Kirrily Johnston have also closed their businesses this year.

By year's end Australia's most internationally acclaimed fashion designer will have closed boutiques in Sydney, Melbourne and London and stopped producing the high-end bridal and evening attire on which her reputation has been built and which she now sells worldwide. Her Paris show, held this month, will be the last of the twice-yearly shows she has held in the French capital since 1995 and the dramatic scaling down of her business will see about 40 of her 50-odd staff lose their jobs.

New Zealand based fashion designer and entrepreneur, Annah Stretton, who has been in business just three years less than her Australian counterpart is asking why it is so difficult for apparently successful designers to survive.

“We must find a unique selling point or we start to look the same,” Annah explains. “Collette Dinnigan, Lisa Ho and Kirrily Johnston are designers just like me and I’m not ignorant about the fact that there are hundreds of us out there. As fashion designers we must identify what sets us apart. If you do not have a unique selling point that takes away people’s pain it will not matter how beautiful your frocks are or what celebrity you’ve dressed… it’s simply about thinking differently around traditional business models – especially with the encroaching digital platforms.”

In Annah’s latest book, Rock the Boat she discusses in depth her two key successes to diversifying herself in a saturated fashion market.

“There is a new generation of consumer that has a global market to shop in thanks to the internet,” Annah writes in Rock the Boat. “They will only buy local if they are presented with products that are globally relevant and desirable to them. They must be unique, high quality and well-priced products, presented professionally and sold from a platform of remarkable service experience.

“Good business will always evolve from a balance of both unbridled enthusiasm and reflective evaluation and planning.”

To find out Annah’s two ways she has diversified her business model read Rock the Boat… available now.

Purchase your Rock the Boat e-book at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3OZ90O

Purchase a physical copy of Rock the Boat at http://www.annahstretton.co.nz/shop/Shop+Online/Accessories/Shoes+Bags+Homewares+Other/Rock+the+Boat.html

ABOUT ROCK THE BOAT:

Rock the Boat, the highly anticipated third book from international fashion designer and entrepreneur Annah Stretton is a must read manual for all employers of women and for all women that drive daily for that elusive business and life success. From Annah’s tips on succeeding in life to hard-hitting opinions on New Zealand’s social policy, Rock the Boat brings together Stretton’s hard won experiences in life and leadership.

“Rock the Boat is an insightful and inspiring book drawn from her huge and varied experiences over many years of business. Her sound advice will inspire confidence in many to affect real change in their lives and their business.”
Dame Pieter Stewart
Founder, New Zealand Fashion Week

“Decisive, direct, inclusive … inspiring those around her to be challenged, confident and independent.”
Helen Clark, Prime Minister of
New Zealand from 1999-2008

ABOUT ANNAH STRETTON:

Annah Stretton is the founder of the Annah Stretton fashion label and is a wildly successful New Zealand entrepreneur, author and speaker. With an online following of over 210,000, over 30 retail stores, 3 books and a strong business leadership programme under her belt, Annah frequently appears in the media and on stage discussing everything from entrepreneurialism, living fearlessly, females in the work force, right through to her philanthropic efforts like the Million for a Million campaign in which she teamed up with Westpac to help inspire one million New Zealanders to commit to a healthier lifestyle and thus, reduce the nations obesity levels. In September this year Annah released her third book, Rock the Boat. She has also been the recipient of the coveted Veuve Clicquot Award.

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