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Austrade Introduces Local Indigenous Models to the World

4 May 2004 - Austrade Media Release -Darwin-based Piening Utopia Fashion and Talent Management will supply models for an exclusive assignment in Denmark and Sweden.

Local models Tanya Mayor and Jessie Risk have been recruited by Copenhagen based agency Unique Models to participate in a fashion show timed to coincide with celebrations for the Royal wedding of Australia’s Mary Donaldson to the Crown Prince Frederick.

Sharon Piening, owner and founder of Piening Utopia Fashion and Talent Management, said that this opportunity would not have been possible without the involvement of Austrade.

“It is a tremendous honour for us to be supplying the models and the girls themselves are absolutely thrilled,” Ms Piening said.

“Austrade helped set us up with the right contacts, gain valuable exposure and were the ones that eventually secured us the deal. We cannot thank them enough,” she said.

According to Graham Poon, Austrade’s Darwin based Regional Trade Commissioner for the Northern Territory, the success of Piening Utopia Fashion and Talent Management is a reflection of the success of Austrade’s New Export Development Program (NED).

“The NED program has helped to educate this company on how to go about exporting and has offered practical support to get them started,” Mr Poon said.

“Piening Utopia’s involvement is a great boost for local exports in general. Australia will receive enormous exposure when the eyes of the world turn to Denmark in the lead up to the wedding.”

“Projects such as this will have a snowball effect and will positively impact on the availability of real export opportunities for the Northern Territory’s business community.”

Northern Territory clothing brand Paperbark Women by Lenore Dembski’s, swimwear label Earth Dreaming (Walya Altjeera) and leading Darwin-based conference and event company The Best Conference and Event Company will also play a participate in associated events.

To find out how your business can start exporting go to www.austrade.gov.au or call 13 28 78.

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