The annual Gift & Life Instyle Awards (GALA) was a night to remember with great entertainment, delicious food and of course all the award winners celebrating their big wins.
Held on Saturday evening 24 February with Sunrise reporter James Tobin as the MC, the who’s who of the gift and homewares industry gathered at the Grand Ballroom at the ICC in Darling Harbour to celebrate our vibrant and innovative industry.
“The GALA awards brought together the absolute crème de la crème of our vibrant community; culminating in the industry celebration of outstanding talent and achievement,” says Louisa Theobald, exhibition director, Reed Gift Fairs & The Retail Quarter.
So who could enter?
Retailers―gift and homewares retailers from around Australia and New Zealand with either a physical store or online store who were operating in 2017. This is a new category which was only introduced last year and has been very successful.
Exhibitors―any 2017 exhibitors of Reed Gift Fairs, Life Instyle or The Retail Quarter who launched new products in the awards period (1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017) and the product had not been entered into the awards before.
And who were some of the winners?
Best retailer marketing initiative winner―Yellow Octopus ‘Kris Kringle Kings’
Best retail display winner―Biome Eco Stores
Best online retailer winner―Flora & Fauna
Retailer of the year (1-5 employees) ―LUC. Homewares and Design
Retailer of the year (6+ employees) ―Biome Eco Stores
Australian made winner: Capucine/Poids Plume―Poids Plume
Eco winner: Urban Greens Co―Urban Greens Grow Kits
Ethical winner: The Dharma Door―Bhola Jute Runner
Handmade winner: Atolyia―Square Jakar Towel
Innovation winner: Independence Studios―Titan Trash Compactor by Joseph Joseph
Best new talent: Mulberry Threads (Life Instyle), Caim & Able (Reed Gift Fairs)
Business person of the year―Flora & Fauna, Julie Mathers
Product of the year: By Brooke Creative―My Mindful Child (Life Instyle); Independence Studios―Titan Trash Compactor by Joseph Joseph (Reed Gift Fairs)
Industry achievement award: Chris Tourgelis, OPUS Design; David Danziger, Albi Imports
Opus Design also won the gia Australia Award and will represent the country at the global gia Awards in Chicago in March.
Find the whole list of winners at www.galaawards.com.au
By Marion Gerritsen
