1. Kelly, 'Shop Brisbane' is an exciting online fashion concept! Can you tell us more about it and what it is you do?
Shop Brisbane is a Facebook portal that showcases the highlights of the fashion and shopping scene in Brisbane. We aim to provide regular updates on Brisbane designers, stores and events, and link through to our websites -www.followthefashion.wordpress.com, www.queenstreetmall.com and www.visitbrisbane.com.au.
I work for Brisbane Marketing, Brisbane’s economic development agency, and our job is to simply do that – ‘market’ Brisbane. We promote Brisbane as ‘Australia’s New World City’ in all its facets - events, investment, leisure tourism, conventions, study, film, and of course retail (with a particular focus on Brisbane CBD and the Queen Street Mall) – it’s such a big part of Brisbane’s offering to locals and tourists.
Shop Brisbane is a Facebook portal that showcases the highlights of the fashion and shopping scene in Brisbane. We aim to provide regular updates on Brisbane designers, stores and events, and link through to our websites -www.followthefashion.wordpress.com, www.queenstreetmall.com and www.visitbrisbane.com.au.
I work for Brisbane Marketing, Brisbane’s economic development agency, and our job is to simply do that – ‘market’ Brisbane. We promote Brisbane as ‘Australia’s New World City’ in all its facets - events, investment, leisure tourism, conventions, study, film, and of course retail (with a particular focus on Brisbane CBD and the Queen Street Mall) – it’s such a big part of Brisbane’s offering to locals and tourists.
2. How did you come up with the idea of Shop Brisbane? I use Facebook quite a lot and saw that it was becoming an increasingly used tool by Brisbane businesses, in particular retail stores. So I formed Shop Brisbane in April 2009 as it was a logical and easy way to connect with these businesses. The natural progression was then to connect with Brisbane people, and obviously Facebook allows you to do this very easily, so now I have made over 3,000 friends (growing every day!) and they love to hear about our emerging fashion and shopping scene. It’s very nice to see that Brisbane is evolving so much.
3.How do you stay on the pulse of the latest fashion trends, exhibitions or sales?
A lot of the content on Shop Brisbane comes about by researching and relaying information on behalf of Brisbane designers and stores, there is so much to talk about. I research designer and store websites, Facebook pages, magazines etc. Plus I do have a love for fashion so that makes my job easier! I have been finding lately that more and more stores and designers are contacting me as they are obviously realising the benefits of being a part of Shop Brisbane and Brisbane Marketing – this is so great to see.
4. What are the highlights of having an online fashion site?
The highlights and benefits of having an online presence are ever-growing. It allows you to be up-to-date with content as you can edit and upload information quickly, and of course, being the world wide web means that it allows you to reach a world audience, and this helps us really put Brisbane on the world map. Any fashion designer or store has to have an online presence, be it a website, blog or Facebook page, these days as it is fast becoming the sole means of advertising and promotion.
5. Which Brisbane designers or shops should we be looking out for right now?
This is a hard question as there are so many, especially as the Brisbane fashion scene continues to grow before my eyes every day! ... I would say Gail Sorronda, Miss Unkon, Vanguard, Chelsea de Luca and Paula Walden are definitely Brisbane designers that will make it big nationally. Natalie Denning’s stores (Bessie Head, Dirt Box and Bam & Juju) continue to dress Brisbane in fashion-forward pieces – Natalie has done wonders for Brisbane. It is also so exciting to see the growth of the number of fashion events in Brisbane.
This is a hard question as there are so many, especially as the Brisbane fashion scene continues to grow before my eyes every day! ... I would say Gail Sorronda, Miss Unkon, Vanguard, Chelsea de Luca and Paula Walden are definitely Brisbane designers that will make it big nationally. Natalie Denning’s stores (Bessie Head, Dirt Box and Bam & Juju) continue to dress Brisbane in fashion-forward pieces – Natalie has done wonders for Brisbane. It is also so exciting to see the growth of the number of fashion events in Brisbane.
6. What advice would you give to women who want to have more of an online presence and be a part of the fashion industry?
The great thing about Brisbane’s fashion industry is that it is so new, we want more and more people to be involved and we really encourage innovation. There is so much opportunity here in Brisbane, unlike other places in Australia and the world that are more established.
If you are a journalist or just a fashion lover then I would definitely suggest starting a blog – they are a great way to allow you to be creative, have a voice and showcase your talent. And the ‘blogger’ is gaining recognition the world over as being highly influential within the fashion industry. There aren’t that many blogs that focus on Brisbane either, so there is definite opportunity here that will then allow you to move into fashion jobs in journalism and marketing.
If you are a designer or store then having a website is vital as this allows you to create a strong brand for yourself. And of course having a Facebook page is essential - they will soon be a vital element to the fashion industry, and every industry for that matter.
Thanks Kelly! Add Shop Brisbane on Facebook so you can stay up to date with the lastest in fashion and shopping in Brisbane as well as Kelly's blog, Follow the Fashion.
Arielle, Gloss Posse
