Splashed over the pages of teen magazines and appearing on runways across the country, clothing by international fashion giant Esprit was once a must-have for thousands of sartorially savvy Australians.
So when it was announced on Thursday that the American company is preparing to close all 67 stores across Australia and New Zealand due to a fall in profits, it was for many, the end of an era.
To celebrate the past 30 years of the store’s operation in Australia, FEMAIL has looked back at the giant’s most memorable runway moments.
Epsrit stores across Australia are closing after 30 years in business (stock image)
The label has been a favourite for years, with the likes of Jennifer Hawkins (left) walking the runway in Esprit clothing (left, in 2009 in Perth, right at Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2008)
Brightly-coloured T-shirts and sweaters were the retro order of the day in the 1980s, as seen by this advertising campaign
Over the years, Esprit has tapped into many trends, including the sleeveless top (left) and the denim cut-off pants (right) – which one model paired with a bra and jacket
While the company, which was founded in California in 1968 and has been operating in Australia since the 1980s, said on Thursday it had been unprofitable in the local market for some time – once upon a time it was a different story
Epsrit’s collapse follows other collapses in stores in Australia, including Gap, Topshop, Oroton, Marcs, David Lawrence, Herringbone, Rhodes & Beckett, Payless Shoes and Pumpkin Patch
Meanwhile, Esprit has outlets all over the world (pictured: a shop interior in New Delhi, India)
When a new ‘Collections’ label launched from Esprit in 2004 in Sydney at Catalina, the fashion designer, Lauren Code (left with models), attended – alongside TV host Erika Heynatz (right)