NSW Inquiry: Procurement Recommendations Could Lead to a Bright Future for Local TCF Manufacturing

The AFC welcomes the NSW Government's report on procurement practices, which highlights the untapped potential of local TCF manufacturing to drive economic growth and job creation.

The report identifies several critical areas where changes in government procurement policies could revolutionise the Australian fashion and textile industry, boosting local businesses and creating more job opportunities.

"The findings are a clear indication that supporting local TCF manufacturing is not just an option but a necessity to ensure the sustainability and resilience of our industry. By prioritising local content, we can empower women with job opportunities, leverage the multiplier effect of local manufacturing to drive ethical supply chains and accelerate the adoption of technology into advanced manufacturing. This is our opportunity to position Australia as a leader in innovative and sustainable products on the global stage, focusing on quality and innovation rather than competing solely on the lowest price.

"Government procurement plays a huge role in creating economic stability for manufacturers, giving them the fiscal headroom to invest in more staff, more training, and advanced equipment, which in turn drives innovation through research and development. It's crucial for the government to signal to the rest of the community that procurement decisions are no longer just about the cheapest option. This shift in focus will attract investment, foster innovation, and support the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities that can truly make Australia competitive globally," - Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the Australian Fashion Council.

To truly unlock the potential of the Australian fashion sector, the AFC urges the NSW Government to take bold steps in adopting these recommendations, particularly those that enhance opportunities for small businesses, support First Nations enterprises, and drive sustainability. By embracing these changes, the government can create a thriving ecosystem that fosters innovation, creates jobs, and supports local manufacturers.

Summary of Report Key Findings:

  1. Support for Local Content: There is broad support among stakeholders for prioritising local content in procurement to boost the local economy and create jobs.
  2. Modern Slavery Concerns: Current procurement practices lack transparency, leading to potential labour exploitation, especially in high-risk industries like cleaning and security.
  3. Lack of environmental and Sustainability Standards: There are currently no goals to meet or achieve any Environmental or Social sustainability standards across procurement practices.
  4. Compliance Gaps: Post-award compliance checks are infrequent, risking non-compliance with labour standards and contract obligations.
  5. Small Business Access: Small businesses face barriers in participating in procurement processes due to a lack of capacity and complex tender requirements.

Summary of Recommendations for the Australian TCF Manufacturing Industry:

To promote the advancement of local manufacturing and job creation in Australia, the AFC support prioritising the following five recommendations from the report:

  1. Prioritise Local Content in Procurement (Recommendation 1):
    • Support local innovation by breaking down tenders into smaller parts, enabling small businesses to participate.
    • This approach would directly benefit local manufacturers and support small businesses to scale up, increasing job opportunities and economic growth.
  2. Mandate Modern Slavery Clauses (Recommendation 3):
    • Include modern slavery clauses in all procurement contracts to ensure ethical supply chain practices.
    • This recommendation aligns with ethical business practices and promotes fair labour standards, helping to protect workers in high-risk industries.
  3. Establish a Jobs First Commission (Recommendation 9):
    • Implement measures to monitor and enforce local content requirements, ensuring systematic compliance checks.
    • A dedicated body like the Jobs First Commission will drive accountability in supporting local industries and increasing employment opportunities.
  4. Support for Aboriginal and Diverse Enterprises (Recommendation 14):
    • Provide training, support, and skill development for Aboriginal businesses to help them succeed in government procurement.
    • Increasing diversity in the supply chain not only supports job creation but also fosters social inclusion and economic development within disadvantaged communities.
  5. Incentivise Sustainability and Circular Economy Practices (Recommendation 18):
    • Introduce requirements for government tenders to focus on product stewardship and the circular economy.
    • Emphasising sustainability in procurement encourages innovation and positions NSW as a leader in environmentally responsible manufacturing.

By adopting these strategies, the future of Australian manufacturing can be brighter than ever, providing a more resilient and competitive landscape for businesses and communities across the country.

Read the report in full here

 

AFC MEMBER BRAND & MANUFACTURERS FORUM

AFC Members are invited to this session, where we will unpack the Victorian TCF manufacturing report findings and recommendations, and workshop industry priorities. This forum will be an opportunity for brands and manufacturers to collaborate, voice challenges and plan next steps for our manufacturing industry to be better supported, evolve and thrive.

WHEN: Wednesday, 23 October, 2024
TIME: 11.00am - 1.00pm
LOCATION: Epiphany Room, GPT Space&Co, 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne
AFC Members can RSVP HERE

AFC Member, Brand & Manufacturing Forums in Melbourne

AFC members are invited to  the AFC Member Forums, held in Melbourne during Melbourne Fashion Week. Please RSVP for both events.

 

SESSION ONE: AFC MEMBER FORUM

TIME: 8.30am -10:30am

WHEN: Wednesday, 23 October, 2024

LOCATION: Epiphany Room, GPT Space&Co, 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne

AFC MEMBERS RSVP HERE

In this session, we will share the AFC’s new strategy and upcoming programs and events for members. These forums provide a unique opportunity to voice your feedback, network with industry peers, share knowledge and discuss key issues that will inform AFC’s pathways, policies and projects.

 

SESSION TWO: AFC MEMBERS & MANUFACTURING FORUM 

TIME: 11.00am - 1.00pm

WHEN: Wednesday, 23 October, 2024

LOCATION: Epiphany Room, GPT Space&Co, 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne

AFC MEMBERS RSVP HERE

Please stay for the AFC Manufacturing Forum where we will focus on our industry manufacturing strategy. In this collaborative session, we will unpack the Victorian TCF manufacturing report findings and recommendations to workshop our industry priorities. This forum will be an opportunity to work together to plan the next steps for our manufacturing industry to be better supported, evolve and thrive.

 

WHY ATTEND AFC MEMBER FORUMS?

Exclusive Access: Be first to hear about the AFC’s strategy and industry priorities.

Networking: Connect with fellow members and industry leaders.

Workshop & Feedback: Share your insights and help shape the future direction of the AFC.

Knowledge Sharing: Gain valuable knowledge and best practices from your peers.

 

With special thanks to Melbourne Fashion Week for supporting the AFC Member Forums through their Independent Program.

How Data and Tech Influence the Future of Retail Planning: Discover Insights from Fiona Hochmuth, CFO of Lorna Jane.

Join the Board Intelligent Planning Webinar! 

This webinar will bring together industry professionals to exchange innovative ideas, improve retail processes, and explore the power of technology to enhance the future of retail planning.

FIONA HOCHMUTH, CFO AT LORNA JANE

Listen to Fiona Hochmuth, CFO of Lorna Jane, as she shares insights into the brand's journey in creating a global activewear phenomenon. For 35 years, Lorna Jane has not only dominated the activewear space but also opened up a market that has seamlessly blended workout wear with everyday life

During the webinar, Fiona will delve into what made Lorna Jane a global success and how they anticipated a shift in consumer behaviour even before it became a trend. She’ll discuss the brand's journey from wholesale and department store models to establishing its own retail network, adapting to changing market dynamics, and the growing demand for versatile and stylish activewear.

The global activewear market is projected to grow by 5-7% over the next five years, driven by this growing focus on low-impact exercise, health, and wellness. Fiona will provide her insights into how these trends are influencing the market and how Lorna Jane continues to stay ahead of the curve.

ELEONORE HAILLOT, INDUSTRY ADVISOR AT MICROSOFT PARIS 

Also featured in the webinar is Eleonore Haillot, an Industry Advisor at Microsoft Paris with over 15 years of experience. She has held pivotal roles such as Head of Transformation – Brand & Consumer Markets and Principal, Group Strategy. Eleonore has an impressive background working with global brands like Microsoft, De Beers Group, and Adidas. Her expertise in retail, consumer goods, and luxury markets will provide valuable insights into industry transformation and leadership.

Together, they will offer strategies to navigate the current retail landscape and drive success in a rapidly evolving industry.

EVENT DETAILS 

WHEN: 12pm AEDT, Thursday 31st October
WHEN: Online Webinar

REGISTER NOW

 

ABOUT BOARD

Board’s Enterprise Planning Platform delivers solutions that help organisations worldwide plan smarter by enabling actionable insights and better outcomes. Board helps leading enterprises discover crucial insights which drive business decisions and unify strategy, finance and operations through more integrated and intelligent retail planning to achieve full control of performance.

Board have helped global enterprises such as H&M, BASF and Burberry deploy end-to-end retail planning applications at a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional solutions.

The new AFC Strategy: Shaping the Future of Australian Fashion and Textiles

Dear Australian Fashion Community,

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you. At the AFC, we’ve been hard at work crafting a new strategy—it’s one that directly addresses the challenges our industry is facing today, shaped by your voices, your concerns, and your passion.

Last month, we gathered with many of you in Sydney for our first-ever Member Forums to discuss the future of the Australian fashion industry. These sessions were a powerful reminder of what makes our industry so special: our willingness to come together, share openly, and work collaboratively towards common goals. The feedback from these forums played a crucial role in refining the AFC's new strategy, ensuring it is aligned with the needs of the industry.

Key challenges identified during the forums include the complexities of accessing export markets, the high costs associated with local manufacturing, and the urgent need to address skills gaps within the industry. Members also highlighted the importance of sustainability, expressing a desire for more circularity infrastructure and greater industry collaboration to drive meaningful change.

The AFC's Strategic Agenda

The Member forums helped us refine our mission for our members:
To champion and advocate for a prosperous, innovative and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry. Our purpose is to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem for our community through education, collaboration and innovation.

And the strategic priorities the AFC needs to deliver on this mission:

REPRESENTATION:
Cultivate a member community that represents the full breadth of the Australian fashion and textile industries and activate projects such as an industry-level strategy for First Nations Fashion and evolving the AFC Directory and Hub to better meet your needs and connect you with your peers.

ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY:
Create value for our members by fostering community and collaboration and advocating for their interests with all stakeholders. This means more member engagement events such as ongoing member forums, anAustralian Fashion Conference in 2025, government advocacy and Strategic Partner programs which deliver value to you.

IMPACT:
Support our members to be successful through initiatives that deliver positive commercial outcomes in four key impact areas:

The AFC’s approach underscores its commitment to supporting the fashion industry through advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships.

This isn’t just a plan on paper—it’s a commitment to action. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and work alongside you, secure funding to tackle the above programs, advocate for better industry support, create new educational pathways, and build the infrastructure we need for a more sustainable future. But we can’t do it alone. Our strength lies in our community, and we need your continued engagement and support to make this vision a reality.

If you’re not yet a member, now is the time to join the AFC. There’s an energy and momentum building in our industry that you won’t want to miss. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of Australian fashion, access exclusive resources, and connect with a network of passionate professionals who, like you, are dedicated to making a difference.

Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and build an Australian fashion industry that is not only resilient but also thriving. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.

Warm regards,

Jaana Quaintance-James
CEO, Australian Fashion Council

Media Release: AFC Innovation & Sustainability Showcase

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) with Jodie Haydon, Partner of the Prime Minister, hosted an Australian fashion sustainability event attended by leading Australian fashion designers, industry allies and government officials. Three Australian-made innovations pushing the industry's environmental transition were projected throughout Kirribilli House thanks to Epson Australia, AFC’s print and projection technology partner:

Australian Fashion Council FashTech Lab: Supported by four local Australian technology partners (Style Atlas, Bandicoot Imaging, Couture Cad and Ponz Studio), FashTech Lab piloted 15 Australian brands who achieved savings on cost, time, carbon, water and textile waste by transitioning from physical sampling to digital sampling. The project also highlights the potential to keep jobs and digital skills local.

Mud to Marle: The 2023 Country Road Climate Fund winner led by Full Circle Fibres, Deakin University and textile manufacturer Loomtex, transforms low-value Australian wool and Australian cotton into a natural high-value yarn.

“Mud to Marle demonstrates full manufacturing capability from growing to sewing, showing that, contrary to popular belief, it actually is possible to innovate, create and scale low-impact and circular textile solutions in Australia,” said Full Circle Fibres Founder, Meriel Chamberlin.

BlockTexx: BlockTexx is an Australian clean technology company that recovers polyester and cellulose from textiles and clothing, creating a global solution for hard to recycle clothing blends.

Adrian Jones, Co-founder of Blocktexx said, “Our advanced technology, chemistry and manufacturing are key to unlocking the potential for future materials. Thousands of tonnes of textiles are being diverted from landfill annually through our commercial scale textile recovery facility.”

Each activation uses proprietary technology and innovation and places a spotlight on the potential for Australia to be globally competitive. The key message of the evening was that with collaboration, technology can position the Australian fashion industry as a leader of responsibly made, high quality, design-led clothing and textiles.

Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the AFC, stated "A small snapshot of our industry’s huge potential was on display this evening. While we can never compete with labour costs overseas, we can gain a competitive edge globally by leveraging the raw fibres here in Australia and right shoring, with advanced technology. Australia, with its beautiful cotton and wool, burgeoning capability and creative talent, has such a unique position that has the potential to push us into a world leading position.”

Quaintance-James continued “With the right investment, collaboration and innovative technologies, Australia has all of the ingredients to become renowned globally for high-quality, design-led, responsibly made and circular clothing. And with this, will come jobs and the skills of the future that can provide economic security for our 77% female-powered workforce. Fashion, as beautiful as it is on the runways, is a serious $27.2b business and has the potential to become so much more.”

The Australian Fashion Council looks forward to further industry collaboration to accelerate its commitment to innovation and sustainability, with their technology partners including Epson. Together, we can create a thriving, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian fashion industry.

-ends-

Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the AFC Speech can be viewed here
For enquiries and interviews, please contact Prue-ellen Thomas, Head of Marketing & Communications, pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com.

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 65 years. Members are drawn from across the value chain and range from micro to enterprise businesses, education institutions, state and national industry associations and students. The AFC’s aim is to guide the just transformation of the industry to a socially, environmentally, and economically prosperous circular economy by 2030 and to net zero by 2050.

Jaana Quaintance-James speech at Kirribilli House

The Australian fashion and textiles industry is a collective powerhouse.

We employ almost 500,000 people, 77% of which are women.

We are designers, pattern-makers and manufacturers, retailers and consumer representatives, growers, buyers and marketers, textile engineers and chemists, textile recyclers and circular innovators. Our members work in design studios and factories, at markets, in offices, homes and shops in every corner of Australia.

We play a role in the life of every single Australian and how they represent themselves to the world each day.

We are also a serious and significant business, contributing 1.5 percent of GDP and generating $7.2 billion of exports, more than wine and beer combined.

Yet with this powerhouse status comes challenges…

The cost and complexity of doing business…

Inflationary pressures and reduced disposable incomes…

Workforce shortages and digital transformation…

Ultra fast, low cost fashion directly imported by consumers, resulting in an uneven playing field for Australian born fashion businesses.

And the need to significantly reduce the industry’s well documented environmental impacts.

But we also have significant opportunities and nothing brings those to life better than tonight's three showcases, each which uses proprietary Australian technology and innovation.

To my left, we have The Australian Fashion Council FashTech Lab which delivered savings on cost, time, carbon, water and fabric for 15 Australian brands by piloting their transition from physical to digital sampling. Displayed throughout this room are the resulting digital samples from Bianca Spender, Jac + Jack and Cue. For our industry to not only survive, but thrive, we need collaborative programs like this to accelerate adoption of new innovations and technology made in Australia.

In the Drawing Room we have Mud to Marle, the 2023 Country Road Climate Fund winner led by Full Circle Fibres, Deakin University and textile manufacturer Loomtex, which transforms low-value Australian wool and cotton into a natural high-value yarn. For our industry to not only survive, but thrive, government and industry together need to co-fund trailblazing ideas like this which reinvigorates textile supply chains made right here in Australia.

And be sure to visit BlockTexx, through this door here, the Australian technology company that recovers polyester and cellulose from textiles and clothing in order to create a global solution for hard to recycle clothing blends. For our industry to not only survive, but thrive, we need to support pioneering technologies transforming waste into resources right here in Australia.

And, I will just pass to Adrian Jones, Founder of BlockTexx, who would like to provide Jodie with a native plant, nurtured from CellTexx®, a product of the BlockTexx process.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to host this event here with Jodie this evening - thank you - because it spotlights the potential for the Australian fashion industry to be the global leader, renowned for design-led, sustainable, high quality clothing and circular technology solutions that we know it can be.

The Australian Fashion Council advocates for prioritising tech and innovation to bolster our local manufacturing capabilities. While we may not compete with offshore labour costs, we can strategically cultivate and retain sovereign capability in textiles and clothing by celebrating, preferencing and investing in our Australian industry.

If there is one message to take away from tonight it is this - the future of fashion is Australian.

Media Release: AFC announces Jaana Quaintance-James as its new CEO

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Jaana Quaintance-James as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing in the role today. 

A leader with a strong track record in commercial strategy delivering market advantage through sustainable practices and innovation, Ms Quaintance-James has dedicated her career to driving impactful change across the Fashion and Textile Industry both domestically and internationally. 

Ms Quaintance-James was most recently the Chief Sustainability and Sourcing Officer at Global Fashion Group which operates fashion and lifestyle eCommerce platforms in LATAM and South-East Asia including THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to this she was Head of Sustainability at THE ICONIC and Ethical Sourcing Manager at David Jones, following a decade-long consulting career in consumer goods.

Marianne Perkovic, Chair of the AFC said, “Ms Quaintance-James joins us at a time when the Australian Fashion and Textile Industry is navigating challenges in the retail and trading environments at a local and global level, inflationary pressures, technology changes and shortages of skilled workers and materials.” 

“There was a high level of interest in this position. We were ultimately impressed by Ms Quaintance-James’ strategic leadership and strong financial, and operational skills. Her industry knowledge and drive for business transformations that improve profitability and sustainability will ensure our industry continues to thrive.”

Ms Quaintance-James said, “I am excited to champion and support our members as they manage change and innovate. Behind the incredible Australian fashion brands are businesses and their employees supported by consumers. Together we create opportunities to accomplish more and continue to grow the economic contributions of the Australian Fashion and Textile Industry”.

-ends-

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS
Prue-ellen Thomas, Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC
pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com 

Womenswear giant Sussan Group joins Seamless Foundation Members

The Australian Fashion Council is proud to share that the Sussan Group (Sussan, Sportsgirl & Suzanne Grae) have proudly signed on as a Foundation Member of Seamless, Australia’s national clothing stewardship scheme that aims to make Australian fashion and clothing truly circular by 2030.

The landmark scheme has been set up to change the way Australians consume and recycle their clothes and reduce the 200,000 tonnes of clothing that goes to Australian landfill each year.

The Sussan Group is delighted to join fellow Foundation Members David Jones, Big W, Rip Curl, RM Williams, Lorna Jane and The Iconic. “Together we are working towards shaping a sustainable future for the fashion industry,” Group Retail CEO Rebecca Hard said.

“The Sussan Group is looking forward to helping shape the conversation and recommendations for the proposed scheme. We are excited to be working alongside our Seamless partners on potential solutions to solve the issue of textile waste,” Ms Hard continued.

"It is so pleasing to see Sussan Group stepping up as a leader in our industry by becoming a Seamless Foundation member and making a genuine commitment to the future of the Australian fashion industry,” said Danielle Kent, Project Director of Seamless. “These organisations will play a pivotal part in building the foundational elements of the scheme and ensuring it has the best chance of success.”

The National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme design and the Roadmap to Clothing Circularity will drive the industry towards clothing circularity by 2030 through:

Register your interest for Seamless

AFC supports Yes with #FashionForYes

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) proudly announces its unwavering support for the Voice to Parliament and launch of #FashionForYes, taking a decisive step towards fostering recognition for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This campaign follows the ‘AFC Talks, Voice to Parliament’ event where AFC Director, Yatu Widders-Hunt hosted a panel of powerful Indigenous and industry voices: Rachel Perkins, filmmaker and Co-Chair of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, Laura Thompson Founder of Clothing the Gaps, and Elle Roseby Managing Director of Country Road.  

The panel engaged in an open and courageous conversation on the meaning and purpose of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, as well as unpacking some of the noise behind the Voice and why fashion brands should find their voice in support of this historic moment.

PANEL'S CALL OUT TO INDUSTRY:

BE ACTIVE (Rachel)     BRING YOURSELVES TO THIS (Laura)    BE BRAVE (Elle)

OTHER KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE PANEL:

JOIN #FashionForYes

The AFC proudly supports the Yes campaign and will share a #FashionForYes toolkit for brands or individuals to use across eDM & Socials.

DOWNLOAD THE #FASHIONFORYES TOOLKIT

If you are creating your own communications, we encourage you to include #FashionForYes in your creative and/or captions for us to share and amplify. 

 

TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP MAKE HISTORY

This is our chance to ‘walk the talk’ and act on our industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

BE ACTIVE. BRING YOURSELF TO THIS. BE BRAVE. 

#FashionForYes

AFC Talks, Voice to Parliament

On October 14, Australians will be asked to vote Yes or No on a proposed law to enshrine an Indigenous representative body in the Constitution.

The referendum on the #VoicetoParliament will provide a historic opportunity for Australians to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

The AFC invites our community to an open conversation to unravel the facts behind the noise.

Join us as Yatu Widders-Hunt, General Manager at Cox Inall Ridgeway and AFC Board Director, leads a panel discussion with distinguished guests:
- Rachel Perkins, Multi-award-winning filmmaker and Co-Chair of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition
- Laura Thompson, Co-Founder - Clothing The Gaps
- Elle Roseby, Managing Director - Country Road Group

AFC Talks, Voice to Parliament
4pm AEST, Wednesday 6 September 2023

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR HERE