Retail Leader Reshapes Melbourne Fashion Festival with Unforgettable Impact
Launa Inman is reshaping the Melbourne Fashion Festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. As chair of the festival, she brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Target, Officeworks, and Billabong. Under her leadership, the festival aims to make a significant impact in the Australian fashion landscape.
Launa Inman’s Journey in Fashion and Retail
Inman has spent her entire career in fashion and retail. She has held several executive positions, including the CEO of a former ASX-listed company, Billabong. Despite her successes, she reflects on her tenure at Billabong with some regret.
“Billabong was in trouble, but I didn’t realize how much,” she admitted. Inman emphasizes the importance of due diligence and the challenges faced as a non-surfer in a surf-centric culture.
Challenges and Achievements
- Born in Zimbabwe, Inman has a background in accounting and economics.
- She relocated to South Africa during civil unrest, only to immigrate to Australia in 1997 due to safety concerns.
- Inman has led successful turnarounds for retailers, changing Target from a $32 million loss to a $54 million profit in just 18 months.
Her journey in retail began in fashion in South Africa, eventually leading to her position at Big W in Australia, where she experienced substantial growth and learning.
Transforming the Melbourne Fashion Festival
As chair, Inman faces current challenges as the festival experiences financial pressures, including a reported loss of $711,390 against a revenue drop from $5.75 million to $4.57 million in the 2024 financial year.
“I took over as chair during COVID,” Inman stated, highlighting the difficulties of organizing events during a pandemic. Despite these challenges, she is optimistic about ticket sales for the festival’s anniversary.
Promoting Australian Fashion
Inman aims to elevate the fashion industry as a critical economic sector. The textile and fashion industry in Victoria generates an impressive annual turnover of about $8.5 billion. This sector exports more fashion and textiles than Australia does beer and wine.
- Inman believes that fashion should have purpose and commercial viability.
- She advocates for ethical practices in retail, criticizing fast fashion for its lack of accountability.
“Fast fashion brings nothing to this country,” she asserts. Inman calls for stricter regulations on international retailers that operate without the same standards as Australian companies.
Future of the Festival
As the Melbourne Fashion Festival approaches, Inman is determined to showcase its significance. She looks forward to featuring Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung, believing it will enhance the festival’s profile and impact.
With her extensive background and a clear vision for the future, Launa Inman is poised to reshape the Melbourne Fashion Festival into a more impactful event in the realm of Australian fashion.
