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 

International Women’s Day Focuses on a more equal future

Our industry employs over 489,000 people, with women making up a significant 77% of our workforce. Despite our presence and substantial contribution of $27.2 billion to the economy, our industry still grapples with equality challenges, particularly the underrepresentation of women in higher-paid executive roles.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, it serves as a moment to reflect on the ongoing journey towards gender equality and how this year’s theme, “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress can effect change in our industry:

Gender Pay Gap

Most recently, the WGEA Gender Pay Gap Report shed light on the ongoing disparity in pay between men and women. Australia’s total remuneration average gender pay gap stands at 21.7%, translating to women earning just 78 cents for every dollar earned by men.

Despite our industry boasting a 77% female workforce, the underrepresentation of women in high-level executive positions remains a concerning reality, contradicting the industry's dedication to its predominantly female clientele.

However, amidst these challenges, it's inspiring to see a number of AFC Members, including Country Road, Camilla & Marc, Zimmermann, and The Iconic, who are at the forefront of this issue. Their commitment to pay equity, as highlighted in the report, is encouraging to see. 


Invest in Women: Funding the Future Workforce & Building Jobs

There are many factors to the current state of play in our industry and action from both business and government is essential. In our recent 2024/2025 Pre-Budget Submission to the federal government, we emphasise the urgent need for targeted funding to address skill gaps and workforce shortages.

This involves creating tailored educational and career pathways specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of Australia's female workforce. It's a crucial step toward bolstering economic security and fostering greater gender diversity in leadership roles. 

Invest in Women: Empower Female Leadership

We encourage businesses to see investing in women not just as a moral duty, but as a strategic move to enhance equality in leadership and decision-making roles. This involves prioritising transparent hiring and promotion practices, ensuring equal access to development opportunities, supporting work-life balance, and championing diversity in leadership within our industry. 

A New National Strategy

At the same time, we applaud the introduction of the 'Working for Women' national strategy by the federal Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher. This thorough initiative delineates essential focus areas aimed at improving women's welfare, notably including a vital pledge to provide superannuation coverage for Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave.

In the context of the manufacturing sector, transparency and accountability across supply chains are paramount for safeguarding the safety and human rights of all individuals involved, particularly women in pivotal roles such as pattern makers, machinists, and customer-facing positions.

By empowering and advancing women in leadership, we unlock the full potential of our workforce and pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.  We are proud to be leading the key AFCs initiatives to achieve this.

Revealing the Future: Insights into Victoria's Clothing Manufacturing Sector

Join the Australian Fashion Council as we share never before seen data insights and discuss the future of clothing manufacturing in Victoria.

The AFC, thanks to PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival and Museums Victoria, presents ‘Beyond the Seams’ as part of their Fashion Talks series. We’ll be diving into the current state and future possibilities of clothing manufacturing in Victoria and revealing never before seen economic and environmental insights for the sector.

Led by AFC Chair Marianne Perkovic, our esteemed panel of industry experts, including Andrew Quinn, Director of ABMT Apparel, Craig Heckenberg, MD of Epson Australia, and Dr. Jenny Underwood, Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, will unveil transformative trends and innovative strategies from across the clothing value chain. These insights will highlight its future possibilities and its potential to emerge as a globally competitive sector.

Event Details

4:00 PM on Tuesday, March 5th. Treetops Melbourne Museum.

REGISTER FOR TICKETS

Introducing our Esteemed Speakers

Marianne Perkovic, AFC Chair

Marianne Perkovic brings deep commercial and technical experience across business strategy and execution to the Australian Fashion Council. Her strong financial management skills, coupled with a focus on change management and compliance make her a driving force for sustainable transformation with a positive environmental and social impact. Marianne is also the author of ‘Pivotal Career Moments’.

Andrew Quinn, Director of ABMT Apparel 

Andrew Quinn is a Director of ABMT Apparel, a fully vertical manufacturer based in Melbourne. ABMT Apparel manufactures clothing for a diverse range of Australian brands with a completely transparent supply chain audited by ISO, ACO, Woolmark, and Ethical Clothing Australia. With 15 years of experience overseeing local production, Andrew champions high-quality, environmentally responsible, and ethically sound fabrics and garments.

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia

With a robust background in leadership roles, Craig brings nearly three decades of experience in digital imaging to his current role as Managing Director of Epson Australia and New Zealand. Craig has demonstrated expertise in sales and marketing, playing a pivotal role in advancing both business and industry through the implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions. His unwavering commitment to innovation and strategic vision has been instrumental in successfully navigating the dynamic landscape of digital imaging for the past 30 years.

Dr Jenny Underwood, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation at RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles

Dr Jenny Underwood is the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, in the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University. With over 15 years of experience as an educator and researcher, her research is concerned with methods for material circularity, responsible design innovation, and systems-based approaches to sustainability for fashion and textiles.

REGISTER FOR TICKETS

The AFC and Epson Australia have partnered on a study to explore the current state and future potential of clothing manufacturing, aiming to build a business case for increased investment to boost jobs and ‘right-shore’ select local manufacturing capabilities. The findings will be released in April.

Join our mailing list to be the first to receive updates when the report is released in April.

Dempstah, The Very Good Bar & Rcycl announced as winners of eBay Circular Fashion Fund

Yesterday, eBay Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), proudly announced Dempstah as the recipient of eBay’s 2024 Circular Fashion Fund, marking a significant stride in advancing circular fashion in Australia.

With every Australian buying 56 items of new clothing a year and throwing away 200,000 tonnes into landfill each year, eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund was established to help scale and develop the circular fashion economy by supporting innovation and aligning with the fashion industry’s goals to achieve circularity by 2030.

Dempstah, an innovative business, has been awarded the prestigious prize fund of $100,000 AUD. Additionally, the runners-up, RCYCL and The Very Good Bra, have each received $50,000 AUD to bolster their circular business solutions.

Guy Dempster, Founder of Dempstah, said “We’re grateful to eBay and the Australian Fashion Council, who are actively investing and driving circularity in the fashion industry. The Fund will go towards establishing a micro mill in North West Tasmania, which will allow us to house and operate fibre recovery machinery and develop greater insight into this milling process. We’re thankful for the opportunity to find more mentors with experience in small-medium scale industrial domestic manufacturing.”

eBay Circular Fashion Fund Winners

Speaking at yesterday's event, held in collaboration with the AFC, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP delivered a compelling speech, emphasising the significance of circularity, urging for prioritisation of reuse, recycling, and repair over disposal methods such as burying and burning. She called upon the industry to elevate their commitment and emphasised the imperative for companies to take responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle, extending beyond the point of sale.

Marianne Perkovic, Chair of the AFC Board, said “It’s incredibly inspiring to see the creativity and innovation across 2024 eBay Circular Fashion Fund Finalists. Along with government support and industry collaboration, programs like this are essential to expedite our efforts towards our goal of a circular economy by 2030 and net zero by 2050.”

About the Winners:

In addition to the funding received, the three recipients will enter into a three-month program of mentoring, networking and workshops to learn how to market and scale their business.

Congratulations to the 2024 winners and stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 eBay Circular Fashion Fund

AFC's Pre-Budget Submission to Treasury for 2024-25

The Australian Fashion and Textile Industry is facing both significant opportunities and challenges. Inflationary pressures, shortages of skilled workers and materials, and the imperative need for sustainable business models are key issues demanding attention.

This year, the AFC’s Pre Budget Submission outlines our request for a $10 million investment in the Australian Fashion and Textile Industry. This investment aims to:

The submission highlights the pivotal role of the Fashion and Textile Industry as a primary employer, particularly for women and migrants, making a substantial $27.2 billion contribution to Australia's economy. 

It delineates the industry's challenges, encompassing shifts in retail landscapes, inflationary pressures, and the transformative effects of technological advancements on jobs and skilled workers.

Following our last budget submission, the AFC successfully launched the design and roadmap for Seamless, a national clothing product stewardship scheme aimed at transforming how clothing is made, used, reused and recycled in Australia. The effectiveness of initiatives, like Seamless, demonstrates the efficient use of funding.

In the current economic climate and amidst the cost-of-living crisis, job creation is crucial. Our industry sustains over 489,000 jobs, with a significant number held by individuals from migrant communities, and supports over 376,000 women, contributing to their economic security and Australia's productivity

Recommendations

The investment request to tackle these challenges comprises three key priorities:

Priority 1: Build sovereign manufacturing capability of ‘Fibre and its Derivatives’ (from fibre to yarn, textiles to fashion and uniforms, etc) to boost jobs, the economy, exports and close the supply chain loop.

Priority 2: Develop skills and career pathways – to address current and future skills needs, create jobs, and boost the economic security of the industry’s women-empowered workforce.

Priority 3: Promote the Australian Fashion trademark to grow domestic and global demand for design-led brands committed to responsible practice, to be known for creative sustainable, and innovative design, making Australia an attractive tourist destination for its fashion culture.

Industry Advocacy

In the lead-up to the 2024-25 Federal Budget, we are now calling for expressions of interest from members who would like to play an active role in our advocacy efforts, from media opportunities to government engagement, social media, and more. 

Read the complete Pre-Budget Submission here, and if you're interested in participating, reach out via email at info@ausfashioncouncil.com.

Alix Higgins launches new collection primarily comprised of up-cycled pieces

We were excited to attend the launch of AFC Member Alix Higgins’ latest collection, 'Archery Practice,' which features predominantly upcycled, one-of-a-kind pieces—a core focus for the designer.

Having studied fashion in Sydney and Paris, Higgins launched his eponymous brand in 2021 with a commitment to sustainable practices. Here, we spoke with Alix bout the inspiration behind their latest collection and got a glimpse of what the brand has in store for 2024.

Tell us about the concept behind your recent collection ‘Archery Practice.’ 

The collection is a 10-look lookbook of predominantly upcycled garments made from Polo Shirts, T-Shirts and Rugby Jerseys reimagined with poetry. The concept was to recreate a sort of backyard in a sense, the feeling of youth, of being almost home.

I was thinking about fashion as a destructive process, and how we could minimise our impact through refined practice, turning something violent into something beautiful, like archery. I began the collection thinking about sport, repetition, and beauty. I also wanted to revisit some pieces from my brand and refine them, reissue them in new colours and more luxurious fabrications.

China Heights offered me the space in January to do a pop up so I designed this collection with this space in mind, and with the end goal being a physical launch where people could try on the pieces and engage with them closely. This meant I could lean into upcycling techniques where every garment was unique, because people would shop them in this way, physically.

Alix Higgins Archery Practice Launch

The emphasis on upcycling and the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces in your designs has been evident since you launched your brand in 2021. Can you tell us why sustainability is so important to you?

I don’t think designers really have a choice but to engage with ideas of sustainability. As someone who creates something (especially something as impactful as fashion) I have a responsibility to explore and challenge myself to find new ways to produce that are less harmful, and hopefully even positive.

Upcycling is a wonderful tool for design, wherein you depart from materials that lack the initial 'preciousness' of untouched fabric rolls. Instead, you engage with materials that have already experienced life, imbuing them with character and presence from their prior use.

Winning the Emerging Designer Award at the 2023 Australian Fashion Laureate was a remarkable achievement. Looking ahead to 2024, what exciting developments or projects can we anticipate from your brand?

For 2024 I am working on a second collection to debut in May in a fashion show. Additionally, I will be working on an upcycled capsule collection to be released later in the year with a new partner. I have held a few pop-up stores over the last year and find this is a lovely way to launch new lines, and engage with my customer base directly, and will continue doing this in 2024 as well.

Campaign Photography: Daniel Harden
Casting: Chloe Corkran

Shop Archery Practice here or stay up to date with Alix's journey via Instagram.

Media Release: Australian Fashion Council appoints two new Non-Executive Directors to its Board

MEDIA RELEASE

Australian Fashion Council appoints two new Non-Executive Directors to its Board

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is delighted to announce the appointment of two distinguished Non-Executive Directors to its Board; Mr. Alex Schuman, CEO of Carla Zampatti and Ms. Helen Waldron, Head of Member Relations and NSW Head at the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).

Ms Marianne Perkovic, Chair AFC said “We are delighted to warmly welcome Mr Schuman and Ms Waldron who each have a wealth of personal experience and a shared commitment to positively progress our industry.

“Mr. Schuman's extensive government relationships and proven track record in business will be invaluable assets as we navigate the dynamic challenges and opportunities within our industry.

“Mr. Schuman brings a rich tapestry of experience as the CEO of Carla Zampatti, a revered name synonymous with elegance and empowerment in the Australian fashion landscape. The late Carla Zampatti was one of the original founders of the AFC, and Mr Schuman’s passionate advocacy for local manufacturing and dedication to continuing his mother's legacy of empowering women in business resonate deeply with the AFC’s vision. 

Ms. Waldron is a prominent leader within the business community, holding the esteemed joint positions as Ai Group’s Head of Member Relations and Head of Ai Group - NSW. With her profound expertise in membership, advocacy, and a nuanced understanding of business dynamics, Ms. Waldron will play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and driving innovation.

“The AFC’s capability to continue to champion innovation, sustainability and empowerment at a time when the Fashion and Textile industry is being challenged by transformational changes will be strengthened by the exceptional skills, dedication, and fresh perspectives Alex and Helen bring to the board.” 

Ms Waldron said “The AFC’s leadership on important industry and societal issues and its focus on having a thriving, innovative, sustainable fashion industry in Australia, strongly resonate with my values and expertise. I am delighted to be joining the AFC Board at such a pivotal time in the organisation’s growth and look forward to contributing my membership, government and stakeholder relationship experience to the benefit of members.” 

Alex Schuman said “The Australian Fashion Industry isn’t just a big business; it’s become a key part of our national cultural identity and a major cultural export. I’m excited to join the AFC Board and engage in a deeper conversation with cultural, business and government leaders as a means of supporting the industry so it can deliver to its potential with benefits for all.”

The AFC is also in the process of securing two additional Board appointments for 2024 and finalising the appointment of a new CEO, which will be announced in due course.

Don't Miss out on these must-see events at Melbourne Fashion Festival

Melbourne Fashion Fesitval officially kicks off this month and runs until March 5th, featuring over 100 events throughout the city to celebrate Melbourne's vibrant fashion scene. You can anticipate premium runways, pop-up experiences, workshops, industry discussions, and a wealth of creative expressions.

Here, the AFC team has compiled a list of their top must-see events for the week.

FASHION TALKS:

Beyond the Seams: Presented by Museums Victoria
Tuesday 5 March, 4:00 pm

This discussion aims to delve into transformative trends and innovative strategies shaping the future of clothing manufacturing in Victoria, where the local fashion and textiles industry is poised for a transition to a circular clothing economy.

Panelists: Marianne Perkovic (Chair of the AFC Board, Craig Heckenberg (Managing Director, Epson Australia) and Dr. Jenny Underwood (Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, RMIT).

Buy Tickets

Conversations across Culture: Presented by Museums Victoria
Tuesday 5 March, 2:30 pm

This panel discussion will delve into the ethical considerations, opportunities, and challenges surrounding the appropriation of diverse cultures from an alternative perspective. 

Panelists: Maggie Zhou (writer and Culture Club podcast co-host), Paul McCann (First Nations designer), Bonnie Mooney (Creative Projects Manager at Social Studio), Shegofa Nasari (Women's Community Advisory Group representative) and Winitha Bonney (Inclusion Thought Leader).

Buy Tickets

The Next Retail Revolution Presented by Collarts
Wednesday 28 February, 6:00 pm

Collarts will present a live panel discussion exploring the future of fashion retailing and marketing, that emphasises sustainability through the integration of advanced technologies. This event aims to bring together tech innovators, educators and fashion enthusiasts to engage in a conversation on the future of the fashion retail landscape.

Panelists: Debbie Pratt (Educator, Collarts), Pete Smit (CEO, Style Atlas), Anthony Kwok (CEO, Zilio- Virtual Fitting Rooms) and Sharnie Raine (CLO, 3D Consultant).

Buy Tickets

The Future of Fashion Using the Power of the Consumer
Thursday 29 February, 4:30 pm

RCYCL will present a live panel discussion exploring the hierarchy of fashion purchasing. This event seeks to raise awareness and foster responsibility by addressing each tier of the fashion industry. The conversation will focus on how consumers can contribute to shaping a more sustainable environment in our shopping habits, clothing choices, and personal presentation.

Panelists include representatives from the Seamless Clothing Stewardship Scheme, eBay Australia, and The Salvos Stores.

Buy Tickets

WORKSHOPS:

Community Threads: Afghan Hand Embroidery Workshop Presented by The Social Studio
Saturday 24 February, 2:00 pm

Immerse yourself in an afternoon at The Social Studio, where a skilled artisan from Melbourne's Afghan community will guide you in acquiring traditional Afghan hand embroidery skills. Explore a display of crafted Hazara and Pashtun embroidery, showcasing intricate and beautiful examples of this traditional art form.

Buy Tickets

Redesigning Waste: Pocket Politics Presented by RMIT
Saturday 2 March - Sunday 3 March, 3:00 pm

Be guided through the process of creating your own Future Archive attachable pocket bag from a fresh selection of the finest textile trash. Learn introductory sewing machine skills to take home and make your own wardrobe interventions. Each participant will take home their completed pocket, a Future Archive attachable pocket pattern to make further pockets, and sewing skills to continue making. 

Buy Tickets

The Ethical Fashion Experience Presented by Ethical Clothing Australia
Saturday 2 March, 9:30 am

Explore the forward-thinking ethics of fashion through an immersive experience where insider insights are revealed. Embark on an exclusive journey behind the scenes of pioneering businesses like AFC Members RB Patterns and the Social Studio, tracing the lifecycle of garments to spotlight their ethical practices. Position yourself as a pivotal figure in advancing the dialogue on ethics in the industry.

Buy Tickets

PREMIUM RUNWAYS: 

Triumphant x PayPal Opening Runway
Monday 4 March, 6:45 pm & 8:30 pm

Get ready for a memorable opening night to kickstart the Festival's Premium Runway series with the Triumphant x PayPal runway. Set against the backdrop of Melbourne's iconic Royal Exhibition Building, this showcase will spotlight collections from Australia's most beloved and internationally acclaimed brands. Among them are AFC Members Bianca Spender, Ngali, and Viktoria & Woods.

Buy Tickets

Emerging Mob in Fashion Runway
Thursday 7 March, 7:00 pm

Embark on a journey of visual storytelling and creative expression through bold designs, vibrant colors, and artistic practice. The Mob in Fashion Pathways Program proudly nurtures Indigenous talent within the fashion industry, forging pathways for promising careers in the world of fashion. 

Buy Tickets

Melbourne Fashion Festival runs from 24 February - 5 March. To view the full program click here

5 Sustainable Fashion Films to Inspire Ethical Choices

To lessen our environmental footprint, especially in our wardrobes where much of our consumption occurs, it's crucial to understand the environmental implications and celebrate emerging solutions.

How can we start? Documentaries, short films and series can be helpful resources for insights into innovative solutions, steps toward change, and individual journeys toward sustainability within the fashion industry.

This holiday season, explore our favourite films and series:

Fashion Redressed

Curious about the future of fashion? Uncover the answers in ‘Fashion Redressed,’ the latest global fashion film series presented by Global Fashion Agenda and BBC Storyworks. 'Fashion Redressed' aims to raise awareness of the ideas designing for the future of fashion, featuring a collection of stories from across the globe of tailor-made solutions to fit us and our planet.

The series highlights AFC Member ELK in the episode 'A Journey of Discovery,' focusing on radical transparency to address environmental challenges through scientific solutions. Additionally, it features episodes that showcase eBay, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and many other changemakers contributing to the future of fashion.

Watch Now

The Way We Wore

This three-part series offers a dynamic exploration of Australian fashion, delving into its cultural and historical significance. Each episode showcases insights from leading industry experts including Glynis Traill-Nash, Lucianne Tonti, Elaine George, Jenny Kee and many more. Embark on the journey with Celeste Barber as she explores the evolution of the Australian fashion industry.

Join her in celebrating prominent change-makers including AFC Members Zimmermann, Jordan Gogos, Bianca Spender and CUE.

Watch Now

The War on Waste

ABC's The War on Waste delves deep into Australia's waste crisis, uncovering everyday solutions to empower viewers in reducing waste. The three-episode series sheds light on plastic, food, and clothing waste, culminating in a startling revelation in the final episode: approximately two-thirds of our clothing is made from synthetic materials.

Watch Now

Fashion Reimagined

'Fashion Reimagined' shares the journey of fashion designer Amy Powney from Mother of Pearl, as she embarks on a mission to create a truly sustainable collection from field to finished garment.

When she wins the coveted Vogue award for the Best Young Designer of the Year, which comes with a big cash prize, Amy decides to use the money to create a sustainable collection from field to finished garment and transform her entire business. Over the following three years, her revolution becomes the precursor of a much bigger, societal change.

Learn More

The True Cost

The True Cost unveils alarming truths about the fashion industry, prompting us to question: who truly bears the cost of our clothing? This documentary explores a spectrum of issues, ranging from the environmental impact and labor rights abuses in recently industrialised nations to the link between genetically modified cotton and cancer incidence.

It illustrates the detrimental effects of the Western world's pursuit of inexpensive, disposable fashion, revealing how this demand is not only eroding lives but also wreaking havoc on the planet.

Watch Now

AFC Highlights from 2023: Guiding the Just Transformation of our Industry

As we approach the conclusion of yet another year, we're taking the time to pause and celebrate the milestones achieved for our industry, all made possible through the unwavering support of our dedicated AFC Members, Patrons, and Partners. Together, we're driving a transformative journey toward a socially, environmentally, and economically prosperous circular economy by 2030, aiming for Net Zero by 2050. 

Thank you to our AFC Members for being integral to this journey — Join us in reflecting on some of our favourite milestones that defined 2023:

Launched Seamless Design & Roadmap, Australia’s National Clothing Stewardship Scheme: The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister of Environment and Water, launched the design and roadmap for Seamless - a plan to revolutionise how clothing is made, used, and recirculated in Australia, striving for clothing circularity by 2030.

Launched ‘Advancing a Creative Industries Precinct for Sydney’ Report: Collaborating with the University of Technology Sydney, Minister John Graham, the Powerhouse Museum, and TAFE NSW, the AFC launched a report into the potential of Tech Central's anchor institutions in fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem. 

Continued Support for First Nations People and Reconciliation: The AFC collaborated with industry leaders, brands and changemakers to launch #FashionForYes, uniting individuals who are committed to acknowledging First Nations' perspectives.

Joined the CSIRO Chief Scientist Expert Advisory Group:  An opportunity to represent our industry and offer impartial, external guidance to CSIRO regarding the national challenges and opportunities within our sector.

Second Pilot for FashTech Lab: Supported by City of Sydney, AFC partnered with leading Australian fashion brands and tech partners for FashTech Lab's second pilot, achieving notable milestones:

National Reconstruction Fund Industry Working Group Seat: Secured a seat in the ‘National Reconstruction Fund Industry Working Group’ to enhance local manufacturing capabilities in the fashion and textiles industry, aligned with government priorities.

Participation in the 'Inquiry into Perceptions and Status of VET': Committed to skill-building and creating career pathways, we contributed to the inquiry, fostering growth within our industry.

Melanie Levis' Nomination for 'ITAB Board of Management': AFC member Melanie Levis of Cue accepted a nomination to represent AFC at Manufacturing Skills Australia's 'ITAB Board of Management,' contributing to the development of local manufacturing capabilities in NSW.

Engagement in Notable Speaking Opportunities: The AFC had the privilege of sharing insights at notable events including the Ethical Consumer Report Webinar hosted by Baptist World Aid and Be Slavery Free, the Circular Economy Show presented by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Sustainable Fashion Roundtable at NSW Parliament House convened by the Hon. Dr. Sarah Kaine MLC, as well as Ragtrader Live, Global Sourcing Expo, International Apparel Federation’s (IAF) World Fashion Convention in Philadelphia, Circularity Live and more.

Not yet a member? Join us to unlock exclusive resources and events, connect with our professional network, and contribute to the future of a sustainable and innovative industry. The AFC is proud to contribute 5% of membership fees to the Indigenous Fashion Fund, launching in 2024.

Seamless announces inaugural CEO and Board of Directors

The AFC is proud to support Seamless as it enters its next phase, welcoming the announcement of its new CEO and Board of Directors. We look forward to continuing our support for the new organisation, as well as current and future members, in 2024.

Seamless appoints new CEO, Ainsley Simpson

The recently formed Seamless Board, today announced the appointment of its inaugural CEO Ainsley Simpson, effective from 4 March 2024. Seamless is about creating a sustainable fashion future for the Australian clothing industry by transforming how clothing is made, used, reused and recycled in Australia.

In speaking about the CEO appointment Seamless Board Independent Chair, Rosanna Iacono, said.

‘As a respected, inclusive and values-driven business leader, Ainsley is an outstanding choice to champion our ambitious vision. She brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience and proven ability to drive sustainability best-practice, building strategic partnerships spanning government, business and industry peak bodies for intergenerational impact’.

Deeply familiar with driving sectoral change, Ms Simpson is currently the CEO of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, a purpose-led not-for-profit, assuring economic, social and environmental outcomes for over $290 billion infrastructure investment across Australia and New Zealand. She has amplified the organisation's impact, serving a member base with a combined annual turnover of more than $50 billion.

Ms Simpson has worked in executive roles in public and private sector organisations, and holds non-executive roles on other not-for-profit boards and global committees which systematise continuous improvement and inform policy leadership so people, nature and nations thrive.

“This appointment marks the start of an exciting new chapter, and the board looks forward to working with Ainsley to drive responsible change toward effective clothing stewardship and circularity by 2030’, said Ms Iacono.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Simpson stated “It is a privilege to be leading this important work on behalf of the founding and future members who are at the forefront of circularity in Australia; and contributing to transforming the way clothing is made, enjoyed and recirculated on a global scale’.

“My immediate priorities will be meeting our existing and imminent members and activating initial outcomes across our four strategic objectives; circular design, circular business models, closing the loop and citizen behaviour change.

The appointment represents a major milestone toward activating clothing stewardship in Australia.

Seamless Board of Directors

The Seamless Board is made up of a representative from the Australian Fashion Council and nominated representatives from each of the eight Seamless Foundation Members :

The Board is also currently recruiting two independent directors that will bring relevant specialist knowledge and skills across the clothing supply chain from clothing design, reuse and recycling and an independent director acting as Guardian of Nature, that will bring relevant specialist knowledge and skills in relation to the natural world and the non-human species that inhabit it and/or social impact.

Brands are encouraged to register their interest to remain up to date with Seamless.

DECJUBA is on a journey towards a more responsible future

Welcome to the AFC Expert Series, designed to offer insights from our AFC Patron Members. Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of fashion, textiles, sustainability and technology, as we bring you perspectives and expertise from industry leaders across the clothing value chain.

Embarking on a journey towards a more responsible future, DECJUBA introduces 'DECJUBA Future' an initiative that evaluates materials based on sustainability factors such as compliance, circularity, and supply chain transparency, intending to help their customers make more considered purchases. 

We had the privilege of interviewing Kate Carroll, DECJUBA's Head of Sustainability, to delve into the launch of this initiative, the challenges encountered, and the responses from consumers.

With an environmental science background and having recently completed her MBA, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge cultivated over 15 years in environmental management and sustainability across diverse industries. She reflects on the evolving focus in the industry, transitioning from merely 'doing less harm' to the imperative of 'doing more good'.

1. Can you tell us a bit about ‘DECJUBA Future’ and what inspired the team to launch the initiative, was customer demand a driving factor?

DECJUBA Future is a responsible sourcing initiative driven by our Founder, Tania Austin, and fueled by our commitment to becoming a more responsible fashion brand. It responds to the growing demand from customers for both transparency and sustainability in fashion, including feedback from our customers.

The majority of those surveyed supported responsibly sourced products and sustainable practices.

We're focused on using fibres with a lower environmental impact, with our DECJUBA Future-approved products ensuring at least 80% are green-tier fibres. Our journey involves transparently sharing this information on our website. As we work toward our 2027 targets, it's a collaborative effort across our business to deliver both amazing products and a positive impact.

2. Why is transparency and education important to drive as the Head of Sustainability at DECJUBA? What are some initiatives you have implemented/currently exist to drive this?

Transparency and education hold pivotal roles in our mission and values for several compelling reasons.

Firstly, they serve as vital enablers within the industry, driving improvements in both social and environmental performance. Equally important to this, is the role of transparency in building trust with our customers. By openly communicating that we are on a sustainability journey, we aim to establish an understanding that sustainable growth demands both time and commitment.

We are eager for our customers to join us on this journey, by raising their awareness to help them buy better. 

Connecting our internal team to our sustainability journey and fostering better decision-making and accountability is crucial. We achieve this by engaging our teams in sustainability strategy targets through internal sessions and team meetings focused on their specific work areas. Regular meetings with key stakeholders are also scheduled to track performance and discuss improvement opportunities. Our sustainability scorecard, updated quarterly, provides a transparent overview to the leadership team.

The sustainability targets we are working towards include a new 5 green star head office building, 100% renewable energy, 100% reusable, compostable or recyclable packaging, and a circularity program or partnership focusing on sustainable innovation and impactful new models that keep valuable resources in use for longer.

3. What challenges have you encountered in transitioning to green-tiered fibres?

Transitioning to green-tiered fibres has been a complex process of researching responsible fibres over 18 months and developing our framework before launching it to our customers. The process has presented several challenges for our team to overcome, including:

4. How do you view the importance of empowering customers to make eco-conscious choices? 

Empowering our Decjuba customers to make better choices is extremely important to us. We recognise that consumers play a pivotal role in driving positive environmental impact through their purchasing decisions. By providing information, transparency, and sustainable options, we aim to enable our customers to make choices that align directly with their values. 

We feel this not only contributes to a more sustainable industry but also fosters a collective sense of responsibility toward the environment. Consumers are committed to doing the right thing and making better choices in the sustainability space. Our responsibility is to provide those options and choices in a way that is convenient for them.

5. Have you noticed a substantial rise in expenses associated with the implementation of environmentally friendly fibres, and what strategies does your business have in place to address the possibility of increased material costs?

We approach the implementation of environmentally friendly fibres with a balanced perspective, considering factors like margin, region, and sustainability. While we absorb sustainability price premiums where possible, and of course, this can present challenges. 

Fortunately, recycled fibres such as recycled polyester or nylon have proven to be cost-competitive. Additionally, we’re actively exploring efficiency improvements in other aspects of our operations, such as ordering and stock management, to potentially offset any increased material costs.

It’s a strategic and adaptive approach to our business practices with sustainability goals. 

6. Tell us about your participation in the Textile Exchange recycled polyester challenge and your goals for the challenge.

Our four-year membership with Textile Exchange has been invaluable, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. Our participation in the Textile Exchange material challenge is a significant step, pledging to source 80% or more of the total polyester in our products from recycled polyester by 2025. 

This commitment aligns with our dedication to circularity and responsibly sourced green-tier fibres through our DECJUBA Future initiative. It's a tangible demonstration of our ongoing efforts to drive positive environmental impact within the textile industry.

7. What recommendations can you offer to fellow brands that are considering a switch to green-tiered fibres?

For brands contemplating a switch to green-tiered fibres, we would recommend:

Explore the DECJUBA Future initiative and follow their progress by clicking here.

With special thanks to Kate Carroll and the team at DECJUBA.

Our continued support for First Nations people and reconciliation

After campaigning for “Yes” the AFC respected the call from First Nations leaders for silence. Now, we wish to express our continuing support for First Nations people and reconciliation.

Our campaign work highlighted the many brands and businesses who were active in showing their support for Yes. More broadly, it has underlined the AFC’s ongoing commitment to being part of a society that recognises First Nations’ perspectives.

Diversity, inclusion, listening and moving forward together is not a box to tick. It is a way of being and working that makes our community richer and stronger.

We are so grateful for the guidance and leadership of our board member Yatu Widders Hunt who is a champion of First Nations fashion and a proud Dunghutti/Anaiwan woman. 

We would also like to recognise Rachel Perkins, Elle Roseby and Laura Thompson, and thank them for participating in the AFC Talks, Voice to Parliament webinar. You inspired us with your courage and your motivating call to action: 

Be Active, Bring Yourself to This, Be Brave.

Thank you also to Kin Fashion’s Peter Naughton for driving this project and Eloise Bishop for making it happen.

And to Claire Ainsworth from Groundswell Giving, Courtney Miller from Next Generation and Marie-Claude Mallat from MCMPR for your generosity in orchestrating the photo shoot and press rollout that received such great support from the teams at Vogue, InStyle, Russh, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire. 

We would like to acknowledge the industry leaders and brands who joined #FashionForYes: Country Road, Clothing the Gaps, Citizen Wolf, bassike, Alix Higgins, Spell, Ngali, Kloke, Bianca Spender, Genevieve Smart (Ginger & Smart), Anna Plunkett (Romance Was Born), Sarah Munro (Sarah & Sebastian), Emma Mullholland (Emma on Holiday), Mikey Nolan (Double Rainbouu), Jordan Askill, Hamish Tame (Le Specs), Akira Isogowa and industry figures including Glynis Traill-Nash, Kellie Hush, Paloma Garcia, Natalie Xenita, Jordan Turner, Bella Thomas and last but definitely not least, a special thanks to Clare Press for her relentless advocacy for this cause.

Indigenous Fashion Fund

Looking ahead, in 2024 we are focussed on maximising the opportunity we have through the activation of the AFC’s Indigenous Fashion Fund.

The fund will be used to undertake a listening exercise to better understand the key priorities for the First Nations fashion sector and to discuss how to establish governance structures that embed First Nations advice, engagement and advocacy through the AFC and broader industry. The model and approach will be developed in partnership with First Nations fashion peak bodies and leaders, with the first meeting to be held in the early part of 2024.

There is so much to do, but at the AFC, we remain determined and optimistic that together, we can ‘Be Active, Bring Ourselves to This, Be Brave’ and continue to support First Nations people on the journey towards reconciliation.

The AFC is proud to contribute 5% of membership fees to the Indigenous Fashion Fund, Join Us now.

Progress Update: Seamless Completes Phase One, Achieving Key Milestones.

The National Clothing Stewardship Scheme, Seamless, is a first of its kind and aims to transform how clothing is made, used and recirculated in Australia to achieve clothing circularity by 2030. 

On October 28, 2023, the Seamless Transition Advisory Group (TAG) concluded its fourth and final meeting, passing the baton to the new independent not-for-profit stewardship organisation under the oversight of the Board of Directors.

Since its establishment in June 2023, TAG members have demonstrated remarkable dedication to establishing a new entity in line with the transition plan's first stage. 

“The core goal of Seamless is creating a circular clothing industry by 2030, where responsible stewardship and citizenship are embedded across the entire clothing lifecycle.” – AFC CEO, Leila Naja Hibri said. 

Key achievements of the Seamless TAG to date:

“Change starts with all of us, and industry collaboration is a huge part of making the greatest impact,” said Michelle Pacey, General Manager for Product. “Cotton On’s partnership with Seamless is an important step in the right direction as we work together with other brands to find industry-wide sustainable solutions.” 

The TAG is made up of Foundation Members of Seamless along with a range of clothing supply chain specialists including NSW Environment Protection Authority, Charitable Recycling Australia, and Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association. 

The clothing industry was further represented by A.BCH, Bassike, Future Fashion Agency, and the Australian Fashion Council. 

“The diverse thinking and thoughtful contributions of all TAG members have resulted in the development of a Constitution and the appointment of an Executive and Governance Board where joined-up thinking and action will underpin the delivery of ambitious industry transformation and optimal outcomes for all key stakeholders” – said Rosanna Iacono, Independent Chair of the Seamless TAG

In November, the newly formed Seamless Board will initiate the selection of an independent Chair, Directors, and the CEO.

Brands are encouraged to register their interest to remain up to date with Seamless.

Meet the 2023 Melbourne Fashion Week Student Award winner, Rubee Hay

Taking place at Melbourne's iconic Waterfall Lane, the Student Collections Runway at Melbourne Fashion Week athered Melbourne’s notable up-and-coming designers from the state’s top fashion schools, including Box Hill InstituteHolmesglen InstituteKangan InstituteRMIT School of Fashion and Textiles and Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia

The AFC had the privilege of attending the presentation, and our Project Director, Danielle Kent, participated in the judging panel, selecting the top five finalists and ultimately resulting in two winners, which is a first for this award.

Congratulations to Alexandra Groves and Rubee Hay, students from RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.

Here, we spoke with one of the two 2023 winners, Rubee Hay about the concept behind her collection ‘Broken body, silly little girl’ and where the future of fashion is heading. 

Q1: Tell us about the concept behind your collection ‘Broken body, silly little girl’. 

‘Broken body, silly little girl’ is an introspection on notions of vulnerability and protection, and their necessary coexistence. It ponders a duality; an ‘I’ and a ‘Me’. ‘I’  am protecting ‘me’. A little girl, broken and cold, dresses herself and protects herself;  shields herself from the wind and from the world, aware of her own fragility.  

Drawing from depictions of isolated women in art and literature, namely ‘The  Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures’ by Clarice Lispector, the collection balances a melancholy and hopefulness; a sensitivity within a harsh, hard world.  

Central to the work is the notion of the self-portrait and theories of symbolic interactionism, placing importance on how narrative and communication can influence the way we touch, wear, and care for our garments.  

Q2: How do your garments align with this concept? 

The garments in the collection focus on tailoring and draping, creating a delicate balance between being slightly too small and a touch too big. They acknowledge and serve the wearer, emphasizing the relationship between body, garment, and self. This exploration delves into how garments communicate through their interaction with the body, influence posture, and allow for body exposure, concealment, and manipulation. By emphasizing craftsmanship, technique, and a sentimental commitment to quality, longevity, and slow fashion, the collection nurtures an enduring narrative between the wearer and the garments

Q3: Were there particular materials or techniques used in your collection to symbolise vulnerability and  protection?

It was important to me to steer away from traditional ideas of ‘protection’, which I  think can focus on harshness and hardness. What I am trying to show is more the feeling of being protected, warmth, comfort, and safety. Because of this, I  focused a lot on wool and silk fabrications, there’s a fluidity and softness to natural protein fibers which means they interact with the body in a really special way. 

My practice has a very strong emphasis on construction, with a particular focus on tailoring and draping, which I think was imperative to communicating the body through my garments and acknowledging and honouring the wearer. In terms of technique, I was very conscious of not wanting to add to the fabrics,  only take away. The pulled thread work on the kilt and the hand-cut pinstripe on the pencil skirt, the underneath is where the concept gets translated so I wanted to show that. 

Q4: As a student entering the industry, how important is sustainability within your design process? 

It's hard as a new designer to feel justified in making, but I think thoughtfulness and intention are what’s important. I always want to make with intention, making sure every possible detail of a garment is considered acknowledged, and treated with importance. My practice approaches sustainability through the lens of symbolic interactionism, placing importance on the intangible attributes and personal significance that garments can hold. Narrative and communication are vital elements of my practice,  as I believe the way that we speak about our garments can influence the way we touch, wear, and care for them.  

Sustainability to me is more of a mindset; it's about consuming and creating with a deeper consideration. We live in a culture of rapid, mindless consumption, so I think the key is to challenge that. By approaching design and fashion with an introspective and analytical mindset, we can promote thoughtful consumption and positively influence the longevity of our garments within our wardrobes. 

Within a fast fashion consumerist culture; to nurture the cloth that dresses us, protects us, and creates us, is a fundamental act of resistance.  

Photographer : Ella Maximillion (they/them)
Talent: Jackie Zhou (they/he)

Connect with Rubee
@rubeehay
rubeehay.com.au

With special thanks to Melbourne Fashion Week.

Meet the 2023 Melbourne Fashion Week Student Award winner, Alexandra Groves

The Student Collections Runway at Melbourne Fashion Week brought together some of Melbourne's most promising up-and-coming designers from the state's leading fashion schools, which include Box Hill Institute, Holmesglen Institute, Kangan Institute, RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles and Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia

The AFC had the privilege of attending the presentation, and our Project Director, Danielle Kent, participated in the judging panel, selecting the top five finalists and ultimately resulting in two winners, which is a first for this award. 

Congratulations to Alexandra Groves and Rubee Hay, students from RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.

Here, we spoke with one of the two 2023 winners, Alexandra Groves, whose focus on fashioned knitwear and sustainable hand processes highlights the innovative contributions of young designers to the industry's future.

Q1:  Tell us about the concept behind your collection and how you came to use knitwear.

The motivation behind this collection stemmed from a desire to create future heirlooms. My intention was to create garments that people could cherish and that would withstand the test of time. Building on this idea I found inspiration in the couture designs of the 1950s and 1960s, in particular the work of Cristobal Balenciaga. 

What excited me about these designs was their ability to encapsulate a specific era while remaining contemporary to this day. I found it an interesting challenge to capture these elegant and timeless qualities through the lens of knitwear. I am really interested in working in this space, finding the balance between refinement and rawness in the context of knitwear. 

My background is in textile design so I actually came to fashion through knitwear. I love working with knitwear as it allows me to simultaneously create the textile and the garment. This allows me to really experiment with material exploration and development which is the focus of my work.

Q2: Could you explain the sustainable hand processes used in this collection?

My collection is made using fully fashioned knitwear. Working with this method, each piece of the garment is knit to shape meaning that there is very little waste created. For this collection I have used a lot of hand processes, working with materials and techniques which can not be reproduced by machine.

The intention behind this was to create unique, one-off pieces which can never be perfectly replicated. The inherent mistakes and irregularities that come with hand-making are embraced. I believe these imperfections add character and value and have the potential to resonate more deeply with the wearer and foster a sense of satisfaction. This approach aligns with my interest in emotionally durable design which provides a pathway towards more sustainable and meaningful relationships with fashion and material possessions, fostering a shift away from a culture of disposability and excessive consumption.

Q3: How does your collection reflect the intimate and embodied experience of wearing clothing? Can you describe any design elements that achieve this?

For this collection, I was really interested in the tactility of clothing and how this affects our experience of it. I view wearing clothing as a very personal and intimate interaction, as it is worn so close to our body.

During the textile development for these pieces, my focus was on crafting garments that not only had a luxurious appearance but also offered a luxurious feel when worn. For me, comfort plays a significant role in my choice of clothing and dress. This is one of the reasons why I have a strong inclination toward knitwear. In creating these pieces, my aim was to combine the comfort associated with knitwear with the luxury and elegance of evening wear.

This is what led me to the beaded design elements in my designs. The beads give pieces a really nice weight and drape while the knit allows it to conform to the shape of the body without restricting any movement.

Photographer : Mira Pedlar
Hair and Make Up: Kate McWilliam
Talent: Rosie Graham

Connect with Alexandra
@alexandragroves

With special thanks to Melbourne Fashion Week.

Discover the Melbourne Fashion Week Conversation Series

We are excited to support three inspiring Conversations for this year's Melbourne Fashion Week. Presented by Creative Victoria, this year's Conversations moderated by Janice Breen Burns will explore the potential of circular fashion design in Melbourne, new-age fashion tech careers and the era of transparency and connection in the fashion supply chain.

AFC Project Director, Danielle Kent will be joining Conversation One: Circular Fashion in Melbourne to talk about Seamless, Australia’s first Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme, creating a roadmap to circlarity by 2030.

MFW Conversation Series will take place on Wednesday, October 25th at Wesley Place.

CONVERSATION ONE: CIRCULAR FASHION IN MELBOURNE
9:00am - 9:45am

Motivated by the environmental impact of fashion, many in the industry are embracing the idea of circular design. Examining whether our city can make the change, this panel will compare circular economy principles to Melbourne’s fashion industry in relation to the wider global practice.

Panelists: Dr. Vaibhav Gaikwad (Head of Sustainability and Ethics, ELK), Danielle Kent (Project Director, Australian Fashion Council) and Lauren Hart McKinnon (Studio Manager, Future From Waste Lab)

Buy Tickets.

CONVERSATION TWO: FASHION TECH CAREERS
10:15am - 11:00am

Get ready to expand your horizons beyond conventional career paths in fashion – think workshops and runways. Pioneers of virtual reality, gaming, and technology will share how they’re carving new niches in the industry.

Panelists: Estelle Michaelides (Micky In The Van and Saint Stella M), Dan Tse (INJURY) and Darren Vukasinovic (Artist)

Buy Tickets

CONVERSATION THREE: TRACKING CHANGE
11:30am - 12:15pm

Technology is ushering in a new era of transparency and connection in the fashion supply chain. Hear from local designers who are leveraging the emerging possibilities of the digital revolution, from authenticity tracking and tracing fiber origins to forging direct links between brands and consumers.

Panelists: Marcus Crook (HoMieREBORN), Saskia Fairfull (Founder, Metarial),
Rebekah McQuoid (Development Manager, FibreTrace) and Mark Scott (Program Manager, Woolmark)

Buy Tickets

 

Save 20% by purchasing the MFW Conversations Bundle and gain access to all three discussions. View the full Melbourne Fashion Week program here.

Australian Fashion Council announces CEO Leila Naja Hibri will depart in 2024

The Australian Fashion Council announced today that after almost four years as CEO Leila Naja Hibri has decided to hand over the role in early 2024, once a new chief is found.

Leila will continue to play an advisory role as the AFC’s nominated Director on the board of Seamless, Australia’s new national clothing product stewardship scheme.

Making the announcement, AFC Chair Marianne Perkovic said: “Leila is no ordinary CEO. She places people at the heart of all she does and is passionate about driving positive industry change, responsible growth and social and environmental justice.

“Over the past four years Leila has brought the Australian fashion industry together, increasing recognition of our $27.2bn contribution to the Australian economy, including $7.2bn in export revenue.

“With technology and innovation, diversity and inclusion always at the forefront, She has also led the development of an ambitious vision based on foundational strategic pillars:

“This has created an incredible opportunity, and a secure and positive environment for our next CEO to champion the Australian fashion and textile industry. On behalf of the board and our team I sincerely thank Leila for her inspiring leadership,” Marianne continued.

Leila said: “With a well-defined vision and strategic direction in place, it feels like the right time to hand responsibility for the AFC’s next phase on to a new CEO.

“I am immensely proud of the AFC for guiding the beginning of our industry’s just transformation.

“Together we have navigated the challenges of the COVID era and commanded government attention by delivering groundbreaking reports that unveiled our industry’s true economic value and potential.

“We also established the progressive Australian Fashion Trademark, the pivotal Seamless clothing product stewardship scheme, and initiated the AFC Fashtech Lab as well as an Indigenous Fashion Fund.

“My most sincere thanks go to the incomparable AFC team, our Chair and Board and of course our loyal members, invaluable Patrons and industry partners. I also thank all the organisations and agencies, industry leaders and individuals who continue to support the AFC and our work. 

“I am confident that the AFC, through collaboration, creativity and courage, will continue guiding this great industry as it transitions to a world-class thriving circular economy by 2030”, Leila added.

Progress Update: Seamless breaks new ground appointing new independent Director

The National Clothing Stewardship Scheme, Seamless, aims to transform how clothing is made, used and recirculated in Australia to achieve clothing circularity by 2030.

On 28 September 2023, the Seamless Transition Advisory Group (TAG) had its third meeting with a clear objective to progress the establishment of the Product Stewardship Organisation (PSO) through the development of a new Constitution and Board of Directors. 

Foundation members of Seamless; Big W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, RM Williams and THE ICONIC, along with a range of clothing supply chain specialists including NSW Environment Protection Authority, Charitable Recycling Australia and Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association attended the meeting.

The clothing industry was further represented by A.BCH and the Australian Fashion Council.

The latest Foundation member, Sussan Group, joined the meeting for the first time. 

“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” said Rebecca Hard, Sussan Group CEO. 

The newly created Constitution establishes a robust framework with clear objectives related to clothing circularity and outlines the role of supply chain stakeholders in the governance of the organisation.

Notably, the new Seamless PSO is breaking new ground in Australia by appointing an independent director responsible for serving as a Guardian of Nature. This dedicated role is focused on representing the interests of nature, all species, and the environment as a whole.

“I commend the Transition Advisory Group for embracing a progressive approach in the establishment of the constitution, ensuring that the organisation will be genuinely focused on positive outcomes for planet, people and economy and inclusive in the breadth of stakeholders whose voices will be heard in the delivery of strategy,” said Rosanna Iacono, Independent Chair of the Seamless TAG.  

The TAG’s next meeting is scheduled for 26th October 2023 to finalise its role in the establishment process and to handover to the newly established PSO and its Board.

Register your interest.

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

eBay announces $200K fund to support circular fashion businesses

The Australian Fashion Council is proud to support eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund, offering $200,000 AUD in funding for Australian start-ups specialising in circular fashion solutions. 

For decades, eBay has been leading the charge in recommerce, driving the circular economy through its resale marketplace, in particular for fashion. eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund not only compliments but helps accelerate the roadmap for Seamless, the national clothing stewardship scheme, bringing us closer to our goal of achieving clothing circularity in Australia by 2030.

With every Australian buying 27 kilograms of new clothing a year and throwing away 23 kilograms on average each year, the Fund aims to bring together emerging technologies and forward-thinking solutions from innovative start-ups that can help change customer behaviours within the fashion industry and advance the circular economy.

eBay will support the winner and two runners-up of the Circular Fashion Fund by providing financial support via the Fund, mentorship, industry networking opportunities and a platform to showcase their innovative circular fashion solutions to a wider audience. 

The winners will be chosen by a judging panel of industry experts across fashion, academia, logistics and sustainability. The panel includes KITX Founder Kit Willow, the AFC’s Danielle Kent, Sendle Founder & CEO James Chin Mooney, Liandra Founder and Creative Director, Liandra Gaykamangu, Director of UTS and TAFE NSW’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles Dr Lisa Lake, The Growth Activists CEO Rosanna Lacono and Head of Fashion eBay Australia, Brooke Eichhorn.

Applications are open until Friday, 10 November 2023. Businesses can apply here .

A shortlist of six finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas to the judges, who will select the three overall funding recipients. The winner will receive a $100,000 grant, and the two runners-up will each be awarded a $50,000 grant. In addition, the three recipients will then enter into a six-week program of mentoring, networking opportunities and workshops, including a workshop hosted by Clare Press, Founder of The Wardrobe Crisis.

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

Progress Update: Seamless enters its transition phase

Australia's first National Clothing Stewardship Scheme, Seamless, aims to transform how clothing is made, used and recirculated in Australia to achieve clothing circularity by 2030.

On 24 August 2023, the Seamless Transition Advisory Group (TAG) had its second meeting, where it considered the new constitution of the Product Stewardship Organisation (PSO) and approved the CEO job description. These foundational elements of the new PSO are imperative to ensure that the governance set in place will deliver the objectives of the proposed Scheme.

The Seamless TAG is focused on establishing a PSO that looks at product stewardship within a circularity framework, and there are mechanisms in place to ensure that all actors across the clothing supply chain are actively engaged with the PSO.

Stage one of the Seamless transition plan remains on track to have the PSO established by the end of October 2023, with a new Board of Directors and CEO in place. 

Foundation members of Seamless; Big W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, RM Williams and THE ICONIC, along with a range of clothing supply chain specialists including NSW Environment Protection Authority, Charitable Recycling Australia and Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association attended the meeting.

The clothing industry was further represented by A.BCH, Bassike, Future Fashion Agency and the Australian Fashion Council. 

The TAG’s next meeting is scheduled for 28th September 2023 to further progress the establishment of Seamless.

We are seeking expressions of interest in joining Seamless. Register your brand here to receive updates and information on how to join Seamless before launch.

Register your interest

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

The Rise of Recommerce: What brands need to know

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the fashion and textiles industry, a transformative trend is taking center stage: recommerce. This practice of buying and selling pre-loved items is ushering in a new era of sustainable and mindful consumer behavior.

We spoke with AFC Patron member, eBay to discuss the growing rise of recommerce as well as the strategies they've employed to solidify their position as the original hub for pre-loved fashion.

During our discussion, we explored the economic and sustainable advantages to recommerce, uncovering key insights that brands should consider before embarking on their resale journey.

The Current State of Recommerce

In recent years, recommerce has surged in popularity, reflecting a significant shift in consumer trends. Pre-loved fashion has transitioned from a niche market to mainstream acceptance, presenting a unique opportunity for brands to align with the evolving values of consumers. 

Research commissioned by eBay Australia revealed that nearly half of Australians (45%)1 surveyed have increased their purchase of pre-loved fashion over the past two years, firmly establishing the mainstream appeal of this sustainable practice. Shoppers are driven by various motivations, including the desire to find unique items while saving money (70%)2, expressing their personal style (55%)3, and supporting the circular economy (40%)4.

eBay, a longstanding player in recommerce, has solidified its position as the original hub for pre-loved fashion. Despite its history, eBay remains forward-thinking, leading through constant innovation. Collaborating with partners like The Volte and making strategic acquisitions (e.g., Certilogo), eBay prioritises staying ahead in recommerce and building trust with consumers and brands alike.

Continual innovation is a priority, with eBay recently launching the Circular Fashion Fund, investing $200,000 in entities advancing fashion circularity. 

1 Lonergan research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,100 Australians 18+. April 2023.
2 Lonergan research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,100 Australians 18+. April 2023.
3 Lonergan research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,100 Australians 18+. April 2023.
4 Lonergan research commissioned by eBay Australia surveying 1,100 Australians 18+. April 2023.

High Demand for Pre-Owned Fashion

Pre-loved fashion items are in high demand in the recommerce market. In 2022, Australian fashion labels, including well-known brands like Zimmermann, Aje and Scanlan Theodore, were so sought after on eBay Australia that they were searched for every two minutes7.

Equally, eBay reported a staggering 16 million pre-owned items were listed in previous years8, and a piece of pre-loved clothing is sold every 30 seconds on eBay9 highlighting the growing appetite for pre-loved fashion.

7 eBay Australia data, 2022
8 eBay internal data, listings 2020 - 2022
9 eBay Australia data, 2022

Benefits of Recommerce Solutions to Brands, Customers, and the Planet

Recommerce presents a win-win scenario for consumers, brands, and the planet:

Brands: With increased purchases and demand for pre-loved fashion, recommerce offers brands the opportunity to generate new revenue streams while tapping into eco-conscious and price-conscious consumers. There is a huge opportunity for brands, with the global secondhand market set to nearly double by 2027, reaching $350 billion, and is expected to grow 3x faster on average than the global apparel market overall, according to a report by thredUP, an online consignment and thrift store10

Customers: Value remains a paramount factor for customers, with 56% of buyers and 64% of Gen Z buyers specifically drawn to the financial savings offered by recommerce11. Beyond cost savings, the appeal lies in the opportunity to experiment with unique styles. Embracing pre-loved clothing aligns with the desire for sustainable practices, allowing consumers to make environmentally conscious fashion choices.

Planet: Recommerce plays a pivotal role in curbing fashion waste, addressing a significant concern as Australians purchase 56 new clothing items annually but wear less than two-thirds of their wardrobe. 

In 2022, the eBay Recommerce market not only generated $4.6 billion in positive economic impact but also prevented 1.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions and 73,000 metric tons of waste12. By actively participating in recommerce, individuals contribute to a more sustainable and circular fashion ecosystem, promoting responsible consumption.

10 ThredUp Resale Report 2023
11 eBay 2022 Recommerce Report
12 eBay 2022 Recommerce Report

Key Considerations for Brands Incorporating Recommerce

Before embarking on a resale program, brands should consider: 

Recommerce is propelling the fashion industry toward a new horizon while serving as a versatile tool for expediting progress toward the just transformation of our industry to a socially, environmentally and economically prosperous one.

Encouraging clothing reuse, recommerce holds significant potential to substantially mitigate fashion's environmental impact, in alignment with the AFC’s clothing circularity by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050 objectives. It empowers both brands and consumers to extend product lifecycles, ultimately reducing waste and minimising resource depletion. 

Last week, eBay Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), proudly announced Dempstah as the recipient of eBay’s 2024 Circular Fashion Fund, marking a significant stride in advancing circular fashion in Australia, learn more about the 2024 winners here and stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 eBay Circular Fashion Fund.

Make fashion not waste with Circular Sourcing

Courtney Holm, AFC member and founder of ethical Melbourne-based fashion brand A.BCH, has launched a new platform called Circular Sourcing to help keep Australian surplus fabrics in use and out of landfill.

This online marketplace makes it easy for fashion businesses to sell their leftover fabrics to anyone from micro to small and medium business or even home sewers – extending the longevity of the materials and keeping them out of landfill for longer.

During our discussion, we had the opportunity to explore the driving forces behind Circular Sourcing and the impactful sustainable initiatives that have been implemented within Courtney’s own brand, A.BCH.

Q1: Courtney, congratulations on launching your latest initiative Circular Sourcing. Can you tell us more about it and how it helps to reduce fabric waste in Australia?

Thanks so much! Circular Sourcing is a marketplace that allows Australian businesses (think textile mills, manufacturers and designer labels) to sell their leftover fabric stock in a streamlined way.

Previously there were no convenient or desirable pathways for valuable surplus materials to get re-circulated in Australia and that’s where Circular Sourcing can help. It’s a digital platform for connecting these materials with buyers, whether they are small to medium sized businesses, startups, fashion students or home sewers.

This reduces waste as it is really focussed on keeping materials in their highest use-case, whatever the materials may be. When designers choose to work with surplus fabrics as their first port of call, they are putting less demand on new resources and participating in the circular economy. When sellers list their surplus stock (and we know there's a lot of it) it creates access to some really incredible fabrics that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

Q2: In your experience, what are the key challenges businesses face when it comes to managing fabric waste? How does Circular Sourcing help overcome these challenges?

No matter what the business size, there is almost always some fabric left over after production. For the mills, there’s likely lots of surplus due to the production process and minimum yarn a machine requires to run.

For Australian fashion labels, no matter how well you plan, there is likely some meterage at the end of the roll and if you don’t have enough to do another production run or a material was over-ordered, then leftover materials likely sit there collecting dust.

A lot of businesses have expressed this challenge and each of them on their own cannot make the solution - they simply don't have the time or resources and manual processes or transactions aren't feasible. We need a collaborative approach where we can bring all these materials together, with quantities great and small. We know there's a buyer out there for every quantity and type of fabric, and Circular Sourcing is the platform to facilitate those connections.

Q3: Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations for Circular Sourcing?

Right now we are in a pilot phase and are really focused on making the platform truly excellent for both buyers and sellers, however, we can already see the potential for system-wide changes. 

The platform is built with the long-term goal to de-risk innovation for mills and designers as they clear out their surplus stock and generate additional revenue. We’ll also be able to leverage the data we receive on material flows in the country and this could lead to even greater efficiencies for businesses using our service. This data is also very helpful for recycling the offcuts once a material is finally “used up” as we know exactly what each material is. Finally, over time we hope to incentivise “better material” listings, encouraging a shift from business as usual, pushing for greater innovation and focus from our sellers to source not just for the collection of the moment, but for a future circular economy.

Q4: As the founder of A.BCH, what sustainability initiatives have you implemented in your business and how does A.BCH embraces circularity?

ABCH was founded with the sole purpose of proving circular concepts within fashion, which makes the business pretty unique in its approach.

 We’ve done a lot of work building internal and sharable systems for the circular economy and our products are only released if they can fit into our circular design frameworks. Throughout the years we’ve tested different approaches, and today operate with the following facets of the business:

 

To find out more about the new Circular Sourcing platform, click here

Roadmap to clothing circularity

On average, every Australian buys 56 items of clothing yearly, most of which are made from non-sustainable, non-durable materials that eventually end up in landfill.

In late 2022, the Australian Federal Government shared a vision and commitment to transition Australia to a circular economy by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.

In order to achieve circularity by 2030, the Australian clothing industry needs to fundamentally transform the way clothing is designed, produced, consumed and disposed of, both locally and on a global scale.


Current vs future state

Currently, the lifecycle for clothing in Australia is linear – we take, make and dispose of our clothing, typically in landfill. Clothing circularity will be achieved when the clothing lifecycle becomes circular, and follows a reduce, reuse, recycle model.

 

Priority areas for clothing circularity

The funds raised as part of  the clothing stewardship scheme called Seamless, will be administered by an independent product stewardship organisation that will guide the transformation to clothing circularity by investing in four priority areas:

- Circular design: designing, developing and making clothing differently
- Circular business models: rethinking how we acquire our clothing
- Closing the loop: transforming how clothes are collected, sorted and recycled
- Citizen behaviour change: changing that way we think about and engage with clothing

 

 

Achieving clothing circularity by 2030

The Roadmap to Clothing Circularity will guide a just transition of the Australian clothing industry to circularity by 2030. It recommends we:

- Set the foundation
- Build the business case
- Learn, adjust and scale

Following this roadmap will mean that in 2030, how Australians acquire, use and dispose of their clothing will be very different.

The wardrobe of the future will contain fewer clothes, most of which will be made to last from renewable fibre. Many items will be loved for longer, or enjoying a second life, or will have found their way into the wardrobe from new sources like rental or made-to-order. It will be standard practice for less durable items (such as underwear) to be made from recycled materials.

Wardrobe of the future

 

 

For Australia’s clothing industry to achieve circularity by 2030, collaboration is required across the value chain to drive the transformative change needed to reduce, reuse and recycle clothing.

Together we will need to create a circular clothing economy focused on mitigating climate change and upholding social justice, fostering creativity in thriving business models and encouraging healthy citizen behaviour for a prosperous future on a liveable planet.

Meet the foundation members of Seamless

The Australian Fashion Council and Minister Tanya Plibersek have unveiled the design for a clothing stewardship scheme called Seamless, and the pioneering foundation members who will help guide its transition.

A stewardship approach recognises that the fashion and clothing brands who place clothes on the market are responsible for the entire life of that garment, from design through to recycling or sustainable disposal.

The foundation members of Seamless, are BIG W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams and THE ICONIC. Each organisation has committed $100,000 to fund a 12-month transition phase while the Seamless scheme is established.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority is also contributing $100,000 to the transition phase as a supporting partner.

Some of Australia’s major fashion and clothing brands have committed to be foundation members of Seamless. They are BIG W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams and THE ICONIC.

 

Our industry’s most pioneering and progressive brands

The Seamless foundation members are some of our industry’s most pioneering and progressive brands and retailers. They will be driving the establishment and priorities of Seamless and will play a critical role in leading the Australian clothing industry’s transformation towards a circular economy by 2030.

Together, they are uniting to do what no single business, organisation or government can do alone.

Gayle Burchell, Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer of THE ICONIC, said: “The launch of the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme and Roadmap to Circularity is a major milestone not only for THE ICONIC, but for the entire Australian fashion and retail industry. We’re incredibly proud to be joining forces with the other founding members to work alongside the Australian Government to help tackle this industry challenge, and we hope to make genuine and lasting change that will inspire a global shift. We cannot act alone in our journey towards sustainability. It requires the full force of the combined skills, knowledge and agendas that each of the Founding Members and the Australian Government bring to the table. We’re humbled and excited to be part of this movement, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

David Jones CEO, Scott Fyfe said, “For David Jones, building on our legacy that focuses on sustainable and responsible business practices is a key pillar of Vision 2025+.  Circularity is a vital part of the business’ future and joining ‘Seamless’ was a logical and important step forward.”  

Shasta O’Loughlin, Head of ESG at KMD Brands (Rip Curl, Kathmandu, Oboz), said, “Because the Search, Surfing and our way of life is important to us, Rip Curl balances profit with our impact on our oceans and beaches, and people who live the lifestyle. As a certified B Corp, we’re already on the path to circularity and have several existing initiatives in this space we’re proud of. We hope that by being a founding member of Seamless, we can collectively come up with solutions with like-minded brands, and that the industry will join us in our efforts to tackle fashion waste.” 

Lorna Jane Clarkson, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lorna Jane, said, "As a leading Australian activewear brand we take great pride in our involvement in Seamless. It allows us to take responsibility for the lifecycle of our products, from production to end-of-life. By participating in the scheme, we contribute to reducing textile waste, conserving planetary resources, promoting a circular economy, and aligning our brand with the growing demand for environmentally conscious fashion.

BIG W also announced, “We are privileged to partner with industry and government leaders to establish and drive the priorities of the scheme by committing to long-term action. We care about Aussie families now and in the future, and therefore are committed to the solution of clothing circularity.”

Seamless: a just transformation to clothing circularity

Australia is watching us, waiting to see what we are going to do about the 1.4 billion units of clothing we import into this country each year, half of which ends up in landfill. I think we can all agree that that is just not acceptable.

That’s why, for the last 18 months, the Australian Fashion Council, in consortium with Charitable Recycling Australia, Queensland University of Technology, Sustainable Resource Use and WRAP Asia Pacific have collaborated to design a scheme and roadmap that would transform our $27.2 billion clothing industry, from a linear - take, make and dispose - model to a circular - reduce, reuse and recycle - model.

We worked closely with a reference group of sustainability experts, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, and collaborators from the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR), the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the National Retail Association (NRA), as well as State and Local Government agencies, manufacturers, recyclers, designers, brands, retailers and so many more.

We conducted research, developed reports, held town hall meetings, hosted discussion forums and participated in hundreds of one on one meetings. 


Working together to challenge the status quo

And that’s how we did it. We worked together, we dared to challenge the status quo. We talked about the future - a just transformation to something better, more prosperous, more progressive, more forward thinking. We talked about being a global leader, a circular industry that’s respectful of its people and mindful of its planetary boundaries.

And from this, Seamless was created.

Seamless, changing the way we design, consume and recycle clothing


Responsible clothing stewardship

Seamless is a stewardship scheme that recognises that the brands who place clothes on the market are responsible for the entire life of that garment, from design through to recycling or sustainable disposal.

Seamless will be funded by a financial contribution paid by those brands on each item of new clothing they place on the market. The funds raised as part of the scheme will be used to guide the industry on its journey towards clothing circularity by focusing on four priority areas:

- Incentivising clothing design that is more durable, repairable, sustainable and recyclable.
- Fostering new circular business models based on reuse, repair, re-manufacturing and rental.
- Expanding clothing collection and sorting for effective re-use and to ensure non-wearable clothes are recycled.
- Encouraging citizen behaviour change for clothing acquisition, use, care and disposal


Thank you to the pioneering foundation members

To achieve this significant transformation will require courage, it will require creativity but most of all it will require collaboration. In fact, the brands and retailers that have joined Seamless as its foundation members are setting a new standard that exemplifies creativity, courage and collaboration. Those brands are BIG W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams and THE ICONIC. The NSW Environment Protection Authority has also contributed to the transition phase as a supporting partner.

To those organisations, I say: Thank you for your daring leadership and foresight. You stand on the right side of history.

Leila Naja Hibri
CEO, Australian Fashion Council

Changing how we design, consume and recycle clothing

Seamless is Australia’s Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. It aims to make Australian fashion and clothing truly circular, and significantly reduce the 200,000 tonnes of clothing that currently goes to Australian landfill each year.

What is a clothing stewardship scheme? How will the new Seamless scheme work? What is clothing circularity? Those questions and more are answered here.


What is a stewardship scheme?

According to the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, “product stewardship acknowledges those involved in designing, manufacturing, and selling products have a responsibility to ensure those products or materials are managed in a way that reduces their environmental and human health impacts, throughout the life-cycle and across the supply chain.”


Do stewardship schemes already exist in Australia?

Australia has a number of product stewardship schemes already in operation. They include: Mobile Muster, an industry-led voluntary product stewardship scheme managed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association (AMTA) which addresses mobile phone waste; Cartridges for Planet Ark, which is a national product stewardship scheme for printer cartridges; the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme which promotes environmentally sustainable collection and recycling processes to develop viable local markets for tyre-derived products; and many other schemes for plastics and containers through to batteries and oil.

For a detailed directory of existing and emerging product stewardship initiatives in Australia, visit the Product Stewardship Gateway managed by the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence.


How will the new clothing stewardship scheme work?

The Seamless scheme takes a stewardship approach, which recognises that the fashion and clothing brands who place clothes on the market are responsible for the entire life of that garment, from design through to recycling or sustainable disposal.

The scheme design summary report recommends that Seamless is funded by a 4 cent per garment levy paid by ‘stewards’ who are the clothing brands who become members of the scheme. If 60% of the market by volume sign up to the scheme, a funding pool of $36 million will be raised per year to transform the industry.

These funds will be managed by a Product Stewardship Organisation (PSO) who will allocate them to address four priority areas:

- Circular design: Incentivising clothing design that is more durable, repairable, sustainable, and recyclable.
- Circular business models: New revenue models for reuse, repair, rental, and services that prolong clothing life.
- Closing the loop: Expanding clothing collection and sorting practices for effective reuse and recycling.
- Citizen behaviour change: Encouraging changed practices around clothing acquisition, use, care, and disposal.


Do other countries have clothing product stewardship schemes in place?

As part of the design process for the Australian scheme, the consortium drew insights from the approaches taken by twelve clothing stewardship schemes around the world.

The European Union is leading the charge through pushing for mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies for member states, as well as additional policy levers such as stricter regulation on sustainability communications and waste. There is one mandatory clothing product scheme in operation in France since 2007, and many in development at national or regional levels across Europe.

The United Kingdom has an industry and government co-led voluntary agreement in place, and both the United States of America and New Zealand have industry-led voluntary clothing stewardship schemes.

Many other countries including Hong Kong, Ghana, South Africa, India and the Netherlands provide diverse examples of how mechanisms and logics of clothing product stewardship are being used to harness industry power and agitate for change.

 

What is clothing circularity?

The majority of the clothing industry in Australia follows a linear model, of take, make and dispose. Clothing circularity will be achieved when the clothing lifecycle becomes circular, and follows a reduce, reuse, recycle model.

A circular clothing industry in Australia is one where responsible stewardship and citizenship are embedded across the lifecycle from clothing design and production, through to consumption and recirculation.

Circular clothing lifecycle


What is the role of foundation members?

The foundation members of Seamless, are BIG W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams and THE ICONIC. Each organisation has committed $100,000 to fund a 12-month transition phase while the Seamless scheme is established.

They will be driving the establishment and priorities of Seamless and playing a critical role in leading the Australian clothing industry’s transformation towards a circular economy by 2030.


What is the pathway and timeline for change?

The consortium has recommended a phased approach to the implementation of Seamless. The first phase from June 2023 to June 2024 is a transition phase that focuses on onboarding Seamless foundation members and recruiting future stewards and supporters. This phase will be facilitated by the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence under the direction of a Transition Advisory Group.

The transition phase will also focus on establishing the Product Stewardship Organisation, which will manage Seamless from July 2024. This is when the garment levy will start to be collected from the clothing brands or stewards.

Seamless implementation timeline

 

Minister Plibersek takes a stand against clothing waste

Supported by the Australian Federal Government, Seamless aims to improve the design, recovery, reuse and recycling of clothing, providing a roadmap to circularity in Australia by 2030.

During her powerful speech at the launch of the Seamless scheme design on 7 June 2023, Minister Plibersek championed a future without clothing waste, highlighting the staggering 200,000 tonnes of clothing dumped in Australian landfill each year.

“Australians are buying more clothes than ever. We’re wearing those clothes for less time than we used to, and we’re sending more clothing to landfill than we ever have, which means that clothing is now a significant part of Australia’s waste problem.”

Minister Plibersek issued a clear directive to clothing retailers that the Seamless voluntary scheme would be mandated if not taken up by enough businesses in the future.

“If the voluntary scheme is not viable – if we don’t believe it’s sufficient, or if it’s not raising enough money to cover its costs – then I will regulate.”

The Minister’s message was also accepted at a national meeting of environment ministers which was held on 9 June 2023.

Watch Minister Plibersek’s inspiring speech in full, as recorded by ABC News.

Australian clothing industry launches roadmap to circularity

Launched by the Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme design and the Roadmap to Clothing Circularity, aims to significantly reduce the 200,000 tonnes of clothing that currently goes to Australian landfill each year.

Seamless will drive the industry towards clothing circularity by 2030 through:

A stewardship approach recognises that the fashion and clothing brands who place clothes on the market are responsible for the entire life of that garment, from design through to recycling or sustainable disposal.

The foundation members of the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme, Seamless, are BIG W, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams and THE ICONIC. Each organisation has committed $100,000 to fund a 12-month transition phase while the Seamless scheme is established.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority is also contributing $100,000 to the transition phase as a supporting partner.

The scheme design report released today recommends that Seamless is funded by a 4 cent per garment levy paid by clothing brands and retailers who become members of the scheme. If 60% of the market by volume sign up to the scheme, a funding pool of $36 million will be raised per year to transform the industry.

If industry signs up to the scheme, the activities driven by Seamless, stakeholders and citizens are projected to divert 60% of end-of-life clothing from landfill by 2027.

Seamless was created by a Consortium led by the Australian Fashion Council with Charitable Recycling Australia, Queensland University of Technology, Sustainable Resource Use and WRAP Asia Pacific.

The scheme design is the result of significant research and analysis, and extensive discussions with stakeholders across the value chain including clothing brands, retailers, charities, recyclers and government agencies.

The Australian Government provided funding for the scheme design.

Leila Naja Hibri, CEO of the Australian Fashion Council, said Seamless is the industry’s response to its clothing waste problem, that will change the way Australians make, consume and recycle their clothes.

“Today, some of our industry’s most pioneering and progressive brands and retailers are uniting to do what no single business, organisation or even government can do alone.”

“Seamless will guide the transition from the current unsustainable linear model of take, make and dispose, to a circular economy of reduce, reuse and recycle.”

“We need to start transitioning to the wardrobe of the future, where clothes are acquired differently, loved for longer and recirculated with care. This systematic and seismic transformation will require courage, creativity and most importantly, collaboration.”

“We need to act now. Our industry, and most importantly our planet, depends on it.”

Leila said.

Meet Nathan Mattock

Nathan Mattock is an AFC Board Member and a Partner at Marque Lawyers.

Nathan has been a partner at Sydney based commercial law firm Marque Lawyers, since 2008, and specialises in intellectual property, content and innovation and commercial litigation.

Prior to joining Marque Lawyers, Nathan was a partner at Gadens Lawyers.

Marianne Perkovic, Chair of AFC Board

Marianne Perkovic is the Chair of the AFC Board. She brings deep commercial and technical experience across business strategy and execution and a passion for driving sustainable transformation with a positive environmental and social impact.

Marianne’s executive career spans over 28 years across the financial services sector including executive roles at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), where she was head of CBA’s Private Bank. Prior to that, Marianne was the CEO of Count Financial Limited, and at the time of her appointment, was reported as the youngest female CEO of an ASX listed company.

In 2017, Marianne was recognised by the Financial Services Council with the Industry Contribution Award for her two decades of work in the financial services industry. She has also been recognised as a finalist for the FINSIA Pinnacle Award for the Most Outstanding Woman in Financial Services and for Money Management’s Female of the Year.

Marianne currently has a portfolio career that includes non-executive directorships across the financial services industry and is a Special Advisor for KPMG Australia. She is also a Non-Executive Director at the Orygen Youth Mental Health Foundation and Non-Executive Director at the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation. Marianne is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW).

Transitioning from physical to digital sampling

Supported by the City of Sydney, the first pilot program for AFC’s FashTech Lab was held in 2022 to help fashion brands transition from a physical clothing sampling process to digital sampling. The outcomes included significant reductions in sampling costs, sampling time and textile waste.

Compelling pilot program outcomes

Participants in the first pilot program included Bianca Spender, Cue, Daniel Avakian, Eupheme, Matteau, West 14th, Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp and Palasade and they were supported by world-leading technology partners Style Atlas, Bandicoot Imaging, Ponz Studios, Couture Cad, Neuno and Ordre.

By producing 30 digital samples in place of physical samples, the brands reported:

• 50% reduction in sampling costs
• Decrease in sampling from 12 weeks on average to 4 weeks
• 225 metres of textile waste eliminated
“We essentially produced our garment digitally - without creating a single sample. You undertake fits and make rounds of changes digitally, then once you are happy with the sample on screen you can make a physical garment, saving rounds of samples.” - Matteau

Additional learnings

While brands in the pilot program relied on one final physical sample before confirming production, as brand confidence in digital sampling grows, this sample would eventually be removed. When combining digital sampling with circular business models like made-to-order production, digital sampling could see brands significantly reducing the number of samples sent to landfill.

Brands reported an improved time to market and the ability to test multiple sizes of a garment without producing a single physical sample. This is a critical benefit that allows brands to improve the fit of their garments and reduce their garment fault rate due to poor fit, further reducing costs and textile waste.

Brands were also impressed with the realism of digital fabrics compared to physical fabrics, and the factors which influenced the adoption of digital sampling technology include the size of the organisation and the current systems in use.

A second pilot in 2023 is confirmed

The AFC is excited to announce FashTech Lab will be returning in 2023, once again supported by the City of Sydney. Joining the digital transformation journey will be Australian Fashion certified brands including Jordan Gogos, The Upside, Commas and Jac + Jack.

For the first time in Australia, brands participating in the second program will get access to an environmental footprint calculator developed in the UK, to allow them to quantify the water and carbon saved from eliminating physical samples.

Our transformation journey

The start of a new year is often a time to reflect and plan, and here at the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) we’re doubling down on our four strategic pillars to guide the AFC’s aim: a just transformation of our industry to a socially, environmentally and economically prosperous circular economy by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.
 
 

Contributing to social, environmental and economic prosperity for our industry

The AFC focuses on four strategic pillars to achieve our aim:

    1. Promoting the Australian Fashion trademark to grow domestic and global demand for design-led brands committed to responsible practice

    2. Building future manufacturing capability of ‘Fibre and its Derivatives’ (from fibre to yarn, textiles to fashion and uniforms) to boost jobs, the economy and our sovereign capability and close the supply chain loop

    3. Developing skills and career pathways to address current and future skills needs, create jobs and boost the economic security of the industry’s women empowered workforce

    4. Transitioning the sector to a circular economy by 2030 via the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme to create a just transformation towards Net Zero by 2050

 

Transforming the way we make, consume and recycle clothing

Australia's clothing industry is responsible for more than 200,000 tonnes of landfill waste per annum. The National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme is our industry’s response to Australia’s growing clothing and textile waste problem, to align with global sustainability and carbon reduction targets.
 

We’ve been incredibly proud to lead the consortium behind the new scheme that includes Charitable Recycling Australia, Sustainable Resource Use, Queensland University of Technology and WRAP, along with key collaborators from the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, Australian Retailers Association, Australian Council of Recycling, National Retail Association, Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association.
 

The scheme draws on best practice from around the world and is modelled off four key pillars - designing for circularity, circular business models, closing the material loop and citizen behaviour change, to collectively change the way Australia designs, makes, consumes and re-uses fashion and clothing.
 

I really do believe that together, we can do what no organisation, brand or individual can do on their own. I encourage you to make the pledge today to join us on the journey to eliminating clothing waste in Australia by 2030.
 

Welcoming the new Chair of the AFC

The transformation journey is also taking place within the AFC, and I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Marianne Perkovic as the new Chair of the AFC Board.
 

Marianne has deep commercial and technical experience across business strategy and execution and a passion for driving sustainable transformation with a positive environmental and social impact.
 

Her career spans over 28 years across the Financial Services Sector including Executive roles at CBA, where she was head of CBA’s Private Bank and prior to that, the CEO of an ASX listed company, Count. At the time of her appointment she was reported as the youngest female CEO of an ASX listed company. Marianne now has a portfolio career that includes Non-Executive Directorships and special advisory work with KPMG, and is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW).
 

Marianne brings new skills and a new perspective to our incredible AFC Board of Directors, and I feel privileged and excited to be working with a team of passionate and courageous experts.
 

Importantly, I would also like to sincerely thank Professor Robyn Healy for acting as our Chair since 2022, and we’re delighted that she will remain as an important member of our Board.
 

Industry leaders enabling important change

The AFC’s esteemed patron members now include ebay, Afterpay, the Country Road Group, Decjuba, The Iconic, Kmart, Marque Lawyers, Woolmark and Vicinity Centres. We’re also delighted to welcome a new strategic partner in Epson. This passionate community of industry leaders is enabling the AFC to continue its work to advocate for and guide our industry.
 

Helping the world to discover, explore and buy Australian fashion

The world first Australian Fashion trademark and international campaign, ‘Down Under, In Front’ launched by the AFC in 2022 continues to sell our unique attributes and values to the world. Find out more about the campaign and the 33 certified Australian Fashion trademark brands on the australianfashion.org website.
 

Building future manufacturing capability, skills and career pathways

We continue to strongly advocate for our industry with all levels of government and I am delighted to have been invited to participate in the Federal Government’s Industry Working Group for the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund (NRF). One of the key priorities of the NRF is to unlock the potential value-add to Australia’s raw materials, including wool and cotton, in sectors like fashion and textiles.
 

Also, as we proudly announced late last year, the 2022 National Skills Priority List has seen eight key fashion and textile skills in the manufacturing space escalate to the 'strong demand' category. This was the first step to activating our third strategic pillar to address current and future skills and jobs needs for our industry. And we are now looking forward to collaborating with the Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Council, Skills Impact, to advocate for the development and implementation of a nationwide fashion and textile apprenticeship and traineeship program.
 

Finally, and most importantly, my most sincere thanks to all of you - the brands, retailers, media, creative agencies, clothing charities, educational institutions, partners, industry leaders and individual contributors who continue to support the AFC and our work. We’re inspired by you and guided by you every day, and we look forward to sharing the transformation journey with you all - this year and beyond.
 

Leila Naja Hibri,
CEO, Australian Fashion Council

 
 

FIND OUT MORE

National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme

Make the pledge towards eliminating clothing waste in Australia by 2030

Australian Fashion trademark campaign and brands

Australian Government National Reconstruction Fund (NRF)

2022 Skills Priority List Key Findings Report

The Jobs and Skills Council, Skills Impact

Australian fashion industry to move towards circularity by 2030

At a virtual Town Hall attended by more than 250 Australian fashion brands, retailers, charitable recyclers and recycling and clothing waste stakeholders in February 2023, the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme (NCPSS) released its plan to achieve circularity for Australian clothing and fashion by 2030.
 
 

The new Scheme is being driven by a consortium led by the Australian Fashion Council, that includes Charitable Recycling Australia, Sustainable Resource Use, Queensland University of Technology and WRAP, along with key collaborators from the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, Australian Retailers Association, Australian Council of Recycling, National Retail Association, Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association.
 

Key to the plan is the recruitment of foundation scheme members during 2023 that will fund the transition phase and help shape the Scheme and its establishment.
 

During the virtual Town Hall, Australian Fashion Council CEO, Leila Naja Hibri, called upon Australia's major fashion and clothing players to commit to change.
 

"Australia’s top 30 clothing brands and retailers bring in at least 60% of the 1.5 billion units of clothing that is imported into our market each year. By becoming foundation members, these brands have the opportunity to transform the way Australia makes, consumes and recycles clothing.

Together we can do what no brand or retailer can do on their own. Together we can start our industry’s journey toward a circular economy that eliminates clothing waste by 2030 and net zero by 2050.”
 

Sustainable business advocate and WRAP Asia Pacific Managing Director Claire Kneller said, "Change in the Australian clothing industry requires commitment from all members of the value chain for successful, longstanding results.
 

For the industry transformation detailed in the plan to happen, we need to engage the entire industry from clothing brands to retailers and consumers, to play a part in reducing the environmental impacts of clothing, and to consume in a future fit manner."
 

WATCH THE TOWN HALL RECORDING

The NCPSS is the industry response to Australia’s growing clothing and textile waste problem, to align with global sustainability and carbon reduction targets.

Watch the recording from the session to learn about how the scheme is modelled off four key pillars - design for circularity, circular business models, closing the material loop and citizen behaviour change, to collectively change the way Australia designs, makes, consumes and re-uses fashion and clothing.

 

 
 

EXPLORE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ASKED

The Town Hall included an interactive session where attendees could get their questions answered. Explore the answers to the questions that were asked.
 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Recruitment to join the scheme is currently open for foundation members. Small to medium enterprises can also become involved as circular leaders, and individuals are being asked to make the pledge to join the journey towards clothing circularity in Australia by 2030. Find out more about the scheme and how to get involved.

Watch | Melbourne Fashion Week Conversation Panels

At Melbourne Fashion Week, the AFC hosted three conversation panels that spoke to the Australian Fashion and Textile industry’s most topical subjects; the unique attributes of the Australian Fashion™, the future of local manufacturing and the link between clothing circularity and citizen behaviour.
 

Following the media moment and launch of the Australian Fashion™ campaign ‘Down Under in Front’, industry players and consumers headed into the Swinburne Studio at the ACMI Melbourne to sit and listen to an array of experts discuss the issues that matter along with insights into the inner workings of the current and future state of the Australian Fashion industry. A special thank you to Melbourne Fashion Week and Creative Victoria.
 

WATCH THE PANELS:

DRIVING DEMAND – THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION CAMPAIGN
Presented by Creative Victoria

Watch this discussion on the research behind the Australian Fashion™ presented by Vicinity Centres, the attributes identified and the importance of transparency over perfection for brands. Hear from representatives from Australian brands on what the trademark means to them and how we can come together as a unified industry.

Featuring Alix Higgins (Founder, Alix Higgins), Corrine Barchanowicz (Head of Brand Marketing and Experience, Vicinity Centres), Denni Francisco (Founder, Ngali), Leila Naja Hibri (CEO, Australian Fashion Council) and Mary Lou Ryan (Co-founder, bassike)
 
 

ROADMAP TO A CIRCULAR FASHION ECONOMY
Presented by Creative Victoria

Watch this talk which reveals how Australia can progress towards clothing circularity. This important discussion unpacks how The National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme is working towards ways of reducing the nation’s textile waste by 2030. The scheme relies on action from the entire clothing ecosystem including everyone from disruptors, brands and manufacturers to charities, academics, waste management companies and consumers.

Featuring Belinda Paul (Founder, RCYCL), Danielle Kent (Project Director, Australian Fashion Council), Dewi Cooke (CEO, The Social Studio), Julie Boulton (Project Manager, Monash Sustainable Development Institute) and Paula Rogers (GM of Sustainability, Decjuba).
 
 

MAKE IT MELBOURNE
Presented by Creative Victoria

Watch this panel for a thought-provoking discussion between brands and manufacturers on the three-part documentary series, ‘Make It Melbourne’, where the panel shared the passionate stories of four makers and brands committed to supporting local manufacturing.

Featuring Ashlynne McGhee (Reporter, ABC), Margie Woods (Creative Director and Founder, Viktoria & Woods), Julia Van Der Sommen (Director, Sample Room), Vicki Nicola (Lead Educator of Fashion and Millinery, Kangan Institute) and Kate Dillon (Creative Director and Founder, She Lion).
 
 

Presented by:


 

With special thanks to:

Make it Melbourne | The skills, education and demand needed to rebuild a thriving local manufacturing trade

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and Creative Victoria have partnered to deliver ‘Make It Melbourne,’ a three-part documentary series that uncovers what’s beneath a small but thriving local manufacturing industry; Artisans, highly technical workers and transparent supply chains producing high quality products with better environmental footprints.
 
 

After decades of off-shore manufacturing, the pandemic revealed the lack of sovereign manufacturing here in Australia and highlighted the need to revive the industry. Consumer awareness increased to #supportlocal, not only to support our economy, businesses and their employees, but also to allow consumers to make more transparent, ethical and environmentally responsible choices that align with their values.
 

The first video in the series features Viktoria and Woods, a leading Australian designer label who makes their unique merino knits through Kangan Institute, which doubles as a training and education facility. Their knit machine can knit a whole garment in one piece without any seams. Founder, Margie Woods believes that more support is needed to train highly skilled technicians to use unique pieces of machinery. “I think we are one of the very few brands that do fully fashion knits in Australia”, says Woods. “It’s not the machinery that's limited, it's actually skilled technicians. There's only a few that can do what they’re doing.”
 


 

Kate Dillon, Founder of She Lion developed an Australian made t-shirt during the pandemic that passed through 22 businesses, 20 of those in Melbourne showing support for the local economy and keep jobs surviving on shore. “One garment touches 300 hands, 300 Australian hands, 300 Melbourne hands… and that gives me goosebumps. Make It Melbourne to me is… a bright future, and an incredible opportunity to galvanise and reignite what we had,” said Dillon.
 


 

Julia Van Der Sommen from The Sample Room who works with a variety of brands including Ihraa Swim and Kerrin, shared that perhaps people have forgotten about the huge benefits of manufacturing locally. And while some are able to produce off-shore in low quantities, it can sometimes come at a cost such as loss in translation design, impacted quality and communication.
 


 

“Between the designer and the shop there’s a huge bustling industry of highly skilled people, and I think we need to bring that back - to showcase to the consumer and people interested to working in the industry that it is a real industry, and a real job and an amazing career,” said Van Der Sommen.
 

The Make it Melbourne stories share a small snapshot of what could be a thriving industry. With support for education and infrastructure, a continued increase in demand in manufacturing could help address skills gaps and build a thriving industry. The AFC believes the industry can be re-built with the idea to ‘right-shore’ - not trying to compete with international labour costs, but using technology and developing career pathways to create a manufacturing industry of the future that can be competitive on the global scale.
 

To watch the three part series, head to the Make it Melbourne program page.
 

Manufacturers are encouraged to list their business in the AFC Directory, Australia’s largest database of fashion and textiles suppliers, so brands can easily discover and engage manufacturers In Melbourne, Victoria and beyond.
 

To list a business, head to the AFC Directory.
 
 

With special thanks to:
Viktoria & Woods, Kangan Institute, Sample Room, Ihrra Swim, Kerrin, She Lion, T-shirt OZ, Richmond laundry, Top Knit Fabrics and CGT Australia.
 
 

Supported by:

Meet the winner of the 2022 Melbourne Fashion Week Student Runway

Featuring collections by students from Box Hill Institute, Holmesglen Institute, Kangan Institute, RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles and Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia, the Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) Student Collections Runway aims to bring together the city’s top fashion schools to showcase the next big names in Australian fashion design.
 

The AFC was fortunate enough to attend the presentation as well as be on the judging panel to choose the top five finalists and winner.
 

We spoke to the 2022 winner Amy Cottrell, student from Whitehouse Institute of Design who’s focus on innovative fabrics, sustainability and unique design process reflects the exciting space fashion and design students are bringing to the future of our industry.
 
 

Q1. Tell us about the concept behind your collection and how you came to use biodegradable/edible bioplastic?

Plasticity explores our relationship with the man-made substance that was once strongly associated with progress and is now held responsible for major environmental damage. In nature, plasticity describes how organisms have the ability to adapt, changing their form and function, to fit into a harsh and challenging world. This collection reflects on the idea that while manmade development and progress is exciting, it comes at a cost and is creating overwhelming challenges, particularly in the form of climate change. It is essential that we learn to adjust to new conditions in order to survive and the way we use plastics also needs to adapt and change as we move forwards.

In creating this collection I spent a great deal researching to find products that could replace plastic and be harmless to the environment and came across some recipes for bioplastic. I then did extensive experimentation using different recipes to see if any would be suitable to make garments and found bioplastics that could be used in interesting ways.
 


 

Q2. Can you break down the process of creating the bioplastic and paper pieces for your collection?

The bioplastic is made in a pot on the stove using water, gelatine and glycerin with natural dyes added to create different colours. It is then poured onto a flat surface to create sheets that can be cut and sewn or poured into a mould to create rigid shapes like petals. It takes about a week to dry before I can start working with it.

The ‘paper mache technique’ started with the idea that fabric can be stiffened by soaking it in watered down non toxic glue and letting it dry. I expanded this concept by using strips of silk soaked in non toxic glue and layered to make a moulded bodice, which was shaped over a mannequin and left to dry.
 


 

Q3. As a student entering the fashion industry, can you tell why sustainability is so important to you and what excites you about the future of innovation in design?

Growing up in a fourth-generation horticultural family on the Murray River near Mildura has provided me with a strong understanding of the importance of sustainability. Our family business is reliant on a healthy river system and the weather and droughts and floods really negatively impact our crops. The motivation to find innovative ways to clean up the Australian fashion industry, and assist in improving the environmental issues we face is very personal for me. I strongly believe that ‘sustainable’ does not mean compromise in terms of quality or aesthetics and believe that sustainability should form the basis for all design. Innovation helps us to discover new cleaner ways of doing things and offers opportunities for discovering exciting new frontiers within the fashion industry.
 
 

Connect with Amy
@amycottrelldesign
https://www.amycottrell.com/

 
With special thanks to Melbourne Fashion Week.

8 fashion and textile skills escalated on the National Skills Priority List for 2022.

After continuous and persistent advocacy on behalf of our industry, the Australian Fashion Council is excited to share that the newly released National Skills Priority List (SPL) for 2022, now includes eight key fashion and textile skills in the manufacturing space that have escalated to the 'strong demand' category. 

This is a momentous occasion for the fashion & textile industry resulting from the efforts of many within our sector.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SKILLS PRIORITY LIST (SPL)?

The SPL provides a detailed view of occupations in shortage, nationally, and by state and territory, as well as the future demand for occupations in Australia, which informs the targeting of policy initiatives. 

This sends a strong signal to the fashion industry on the importance of our industry going forward, and the resurgence of manufacturing in Australia. Strong industries are built on qualified skills and this is a step towards rebuilding the systems and infrastructure needed for the Australian fashion and textile industry.

 

WHAT SKILLS HAVE BEEN ESCALATED?

The 2022 List has identified key fashion and textile skills as an area of strong future demand. These skill sets include:

     - Footwear Production Machine Operator

     - Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operator

     - Knitting Machine Operator

     - Textile Dyeing and Finishing Machine Operator

     - Weaving Machine Operator

     - Yarn Carding and Spinning Machine Operator

     - Textile And Footwear Production Machine Operators

In addition, demand for sewing machinists has risen from ‘moderate’ to ‘strong’ and an emerging demand (moderate) was identified for 'Clothing trades workers', which includes Apparel Cutters, Clothing Patternmakers, Dressmakers and Tailors.

See the National Skills Priority List (SPL) for 2022

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR INDUSTRY?

Identifying these high demand skill sets is the first step to increasing the accessibility and quality of vocational and educational training (VET) programs to support new career pathways and government funded apprenticeships for the fashion and textile industry. 

Government funded apprenticeships will ease the financial burden of manufacturers who are already under pressure to find and train new workers to meet the increased production demand. With this list of high demand occupations, the government can also activate a range of additional policy levers, including visas to increase skilled migration to fulfil these in demand jobs.

 

ADVOCATING FOR THE AFC’S POLICY PILLAR #3: 

MAP AND DEVELOP FUTURE SKILLS AND CAREER PATHWAYS THAT WILL BOOST ECONOMIC SECURITY, PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN.

In May this year, the AFC released its industry modelling report, Fashion Evolution: From Farm to Industry - Accelerating the economic impact of a sector powered by women. This report solidified the AFC’s four foundational policy pillars that, with industry and government working together, have the potential to place our sector on an accelerated growth trajectory whilst at the same time, accelerating economic opportunities for the women powering this industry. 

Earlier this year, our CEO Leila Naja Hibri met with Zali Steggall MP. The fashion and textile industry, like most others across Australia, is struggling with an acute skilled workforce shortage. This policy pillar aims to upskill and train the majority female workforce in the fashion and textile industry to increase the economic security for women beginning their career as well as women re-entering the workforce. The approach would be two-fold, upskill the current workforce as well as engage the next generation of students to find jobs of the future.

This strategic policy pillar aims to fill current and future skills gaps with a focus on STEM roles as the industry moves to adopt technologies and advanced manufacturing initiatives, boosting the economy and closing the gender gap. The discussion left an impression upon Zali Steggal MP, and was highlighted by the Independents through Zoe Daniel MP during her speech at the National Jobs and Skills Summit.

“Apprenticeship programs are mostly dominated by male trades, but ... an industry like fashion, for example, brings a huge amount of economic benefit to the country, and cutters, machinists, pattern makers could all be trained in apprenticeships.” - Zoe Daniel MP

The AFC will continue to advocate to the government to develop future skills and career pathways that will support existing and new sectors of the industry including fashion technology and the circular economy.

AFC Conversations at Melbourne Fashion Week presented by Creative Victoria

The AFC is excited to partner with Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) and Creative Victoria to present our three part conversation series where we will be discussing the Australian Fashion and Textile industry’s most topical subjects; the unique attributes of the Australian Fashion™, the future of local manufacturing and the link between clothing circularity and citizen behaviour.

Event and ticketing details below.
 
 

Driving Demand – The Australian Fashion™ Campaign - SOLD OUT
Swinburne Studio, ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne
8:30am - 9:30am, Thursday 13 October

Effortless style, fearless innovation, boundless optimism and raw nature – these are the unique attributes of Australian fashion, as defined in a world-first campaign and trade mark tasked with promoting Australian fashion to both local and international customers. Join this discussion as part of the M/FW Conversations series led by the Australian Fashion Council on the research behind this trademark, the attributes identified and the importance of transparency over perfection for brands. Hear from representatives from Australian brands on what the trademark means to them and how we can come together as a unified industry.
 

Facilitated by AFC CEO Leila Naja Hibri, panellists include Alix Higgins of Alix Higgins, Corrine Barchanowicz of Vicinity Centres, Denni Francisco of Ngali and Mary Lou Ryan of bassike. This panel session will follow the launch of the Australian Fashion ™ Campaign at Federation Square from 8am.

FIND OUT MORE
 
 

Roadmap To A Circular Fashion Economy
Swinburne Studio, ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne
9:45am - 10:45am, Thursday 13 October

Join us for this engaging conversation that will reveal how Australia can progress towards clothing circularity. This important discussion will unpack how The National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme is working towards reducing textile waste by 2030 and the role of citizen behaviour in driving change. The scheme relies on action from the entire clothing ecosystem including everyone from disruptors, brands and manufacturers to charities, academics, waste management companies and consumers.
 

Facilitated by AFC Project Director Danielle Kent, panellists include Belinda Paul of RCYCL, Dewi Cooke of The Social Studio, Julie Boulton of MSDI and Paula Rogers of Decjuba.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
 
 

Make it Melbourne
Swinburne Studio, ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne
11:00am - 12:00pm, Thursday 13 October

Hidden among the alleyways and sprawling suburbs of Melbourne is a small but bustling garment manufacturing hub. Join us for the premiere of the three part documentary series ‘Make it Melbourne’, followed by a thought-provoking discussion between brands and makers and the future of the local manufacturing industry.
 

Facilitated by ABC reporter Ashlynne McGhee, panellists include Margie Woods of Viktoria & Woods, Julia Van Der Sommen of Sample Room, Vicki Nicola of Kangan Institute and Kate Dillon of She Lion.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
 
 

Bianca Spender X Nobody Denim | Limited edition denim capsule collection

AFC Members Bianca Spender and Nobody Denim have collaborated to create a limited edition capsule collection of conscious ready-to-wear denim styles. The collection acknowledges both brands’ commitment to the environment, local production and celebrating the Australian fashion industry.
 

Australian fashion has earnt a unique position on the global stage. Known for its effortless approach to dressing, conscious design, and use of luxurious natural fibres. Bianca Spender has become synonymous with tranquil tailoring and supple, romantic drapery and is most revered for her refined corporate and eveningwear.
 

As traditional dress codes come under scrutiny, Spender turned to the concept of elevating the everyday wardrobe. Post COVID-19, denim is more prevalent than ever, and people are seeking pieces with a unique perspective on design. Spender has always had a deep respect for the craftsmanship and expertise that goes into making denim and saw the opportunity to partner with a like minded Australian brand to create a collection that brings the beauty of the Bianca Spender brand into the everyday.
 

“I’ve always been inspired by the idea of unearthing beauty in the everyday and finding joy in getting dressed. I was excited by the idea of exploring pieces that can be worn daily, while also highlighting the design detail that goes into Bianca Spender collections. I wanted to start with pieces that were unconventional and take a playful approach. You can see so much of the detailing within the designs through the washes, stitching and finishes. The nature of denim brings a sculptural feel to my traditionally fluid or liberated silhouettes which has been very exciting to work with.”
- Bianca Spender, Founder and Creative Director, Bianca Spender

 


 

A keen support for the Australian manufacturing industry and sustainable business practices are what bound the two brands. 23 years on from its’ inception, Nobody Denim remains dedicated to local manufacturing and maintaining ethical practices to lead the industry in innovative sustainability solutions.
 

All pieces in the Bianca Spender X Nobody Denim collection are designed, produced and finished in Nobody Denim’s Melbourne factory. Conscious fabric choices include Hemp. Considered a ‘super fibre,’ The natural plant requires substantially less water and chemical inputs than conventional cotton and is biodegradable and renewable. Accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia, the collection has been produced employing responsible business practices.
 

“This collaboration has been the meeting of two likeminded Australian brands. I have a deep level of craft in my pieces, and I’ve always had a respect for the expertise that goes into making denim. Much like Nobody Denim, Bianca Spender has always been committed to producing locally in Australia and working in a sustainable way, with the objective of decreasing our impact on the environment.”
- Bianca Spender, Founder and Creative Director, Bianca Spender
 

“Nobody Denim and Bianca Spender have very different aesthetics which is what has made this project so wonderful. The sharing of practices and ideas between two passionate brands is the spirit of collaboration and I can’t wait for our respective customers to be able to shop this special collection.”
- John Condilis, CEO and Co-Founder, Nobody Denim

 


 

11 styles in a colour palette of oxford blue, sky and chalk comprise the collection. Non-traditional silhouettes are influenced by some of Spender’s most revered styles from over the years and take on new life when crafted in sculptural denim.
 

The collection will be available to purchase through Bianca Spender and Nobody Denim retail outlets on 8th September 2022.
 

Images: Daphne Nguyen

An evening with Esse Studios | Edit Collection

Australian designer Charlotte Hicks has launched Edit Collection x ESSE Studios at premier shopping destination Chatswood Chase Sydney, offering several weeks of unmissable retail experiences between 26th July to 18th September.
 

Following on from her highly coveted runway at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, the technology driven retail space will host Charlotte's latest collection ‘Edition No.7’ for the next three weeks.
 

The evening saw friends of the brand, media and industry players gather to eat, drink and take in the serene landscape that her clothes and accessories breathed into the space. Not to mention the live harp player and beautiful models sporting the latest collection.
 


 

ESSE Studios is a contemporary, ready-to-wear lifestyle brand for the woman who takes a considered and conscious approach to her style. Every ESSE Studios design features classic, versatile pieces with a purpose, with each Edition building upon the last. Created by award-winning designer Charlotte Hicks, each piece is an innovative interpretation of everyday ESSEntials.
 


 

The successful retail concept is a partnership between Vicinity Centres, Afterpay, and the Australian Fashion Council. The partnership gives emerging Australian designers support and omni-channel strategies to drive sales and provides an opportunity to experiment with interactive digital technology and physical retailing.
 

In 2022, Edit Collection has featured premier Australia designers Bondi Born, My General Store, First Nations Fashion + Design and now ESSE Studios.
 

Edit Collection x ESSE Studios is open from July 26th to 18th September. To find out more, head to the program page on the AFC website.

Second Town Hall Meeting Notes | National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme

On the 20th July the AFC and consortium members held the second industry webinar to continue the conversation and update the industry on the progress of the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. Over 250 attendees from all facets of the fashion and textile eco-system tuned in to hear insights from the consortium around the groundbreaking reports that mark the closing of phase one of the Scheme.
 

Thank you to everyone who attended. It was fantastic to see such a high level of engagement and sharing through the chat box and Q&A sessions.
 
 

GLOBAL SCAN REPORT - READ HERE
The Global Scan Report provides learnings for Scheme design based on global best practices and a close, contextual understanding of Australia’s capacity for change, led by the Queensland University of Technology team: Alice Payne, with Paige Street, Annastasia Bousgas and Caitlan Hopper.

The report is in three parts:
1. A survey of the current state of the Australian clothing industry and product stewardship;
2. An analysis of clothing waste policies and initiatives in 12 countries; and
3. An overview of technologies and processes that can support a circular economy for clothing.
 

DATA REPORT - READ HERE
Led by the Sustainable Resource Use team, Peter Allan and Jill Allan, the data report aims to:

Understand the structure of the sector to ensure the scheme elements are efficient and fair to all;
To provide a comprehensive understanding of the flow of clothing in order to frame the scheme actions for maximised effectiveness; and
To act as an important baseline by which we can measure changes and successes.
 
 

Thank you to our webinar speakers Alice Payne of QUT, Peter Allan of Sustainable Resource Use, Claire Kneller of WRAP, our MC Omer Soker of Charitable Recycling Australia and our AFC Project Director, Danielle Kent.

In case you missed it, you can watch the recording below, download the presentation and the Q&A’s.
 

WATCH THE RECORDING

 

RESPONSES TO YOUR QUESTIONS HERE:
Throughout the session we tried to respond to as many of your questions in the time we had. For those questions we missed, click here.
 

VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE:
If you would like to revisit the slides that were presented during the webinar click here.
 

We would like to give a special thanks to Liandra Gaykamangu for her engaging and out-of-the-box Acknowledgement of Country;
 
 

THE CONSORTIUM

LEILA NAJA HIBRI
CEO, Australian Fashion Council
 

DANIELLE KENT
Project Director, National Clothing Stewardship Scheme, Australian Fashion Council
dkent@ausfashioncouncil.com
 

OMER SOKER
CEO, Charitable Recycling Australia
omer@charitablerecycling.org.au
 

DR ALICE PAYNE
Associate Professor - Fashion, School Of Design, QUT.
a1.payne@qut.edu.au
 

PETER ALLAN
CEO, Sustainable Resource Use
peter.allan@sru.net.au
 

CLAIRE KNELLER
Head Of Asia Pacific, WRAP
claire.kneller@wrap.org.uk
 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR KEY COLLABORATORS:
National Retail Association (NRA), Australian Retailers Association (ARA), Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association (WMRR) and Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR), and dozens of other stakeholders across the entire clothing value chain including brands, retailers, industry, academia and federal, state and local governments.
 
 

Government Crackdown on Greenwashing | Olvera Advisors

Authored by Olvera Advisors
The growing consumer interest in sustainable brands has driven more and more fashion brands to promote their sustainability initiatives and efforts. But now with false claims and greenwashing becoming more prevalent, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking a tougher approach to false claims. Why is the ACCC targeting greenwashing and how does it impact your brand?
Although falling slightly behind from the rest of the world in its release of the 2022/23 compliance and enforcement report, the ACCC has announced that greenwashing is becoming its new priority. This includes targeting greenwasher's in "problem sectors" proactively, rather than waiting for complaints to come through. These steps have been taken by the ACCC to protect consumers as many businesses seek to take advantage of the public’s growing environmental consciousness. The ACCC is also concerned greenwashing can result in unfair competition, as those businesses incurring the costs of genuine environmentally friendly actions will be competing against businesses which are making misleading green claims without incurring the same costs.
Broad unqualified claims may give rise to issues under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), located in schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), if they are ambiguous or cannot be substantiated. Greenwashing has negative legal implications for engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct, and may also expose your brand to reputational risks.
H&M, Zara and Uniqlo are among the international companies caught greenwashing over the years. These fashion brands have contributed to the massive amounts of textile waste caused by the clothing industry. According to the fashion non-for-profit ReMake, 80% of textiles globally are incinerated or landfill-bound, just 20% being reused or recycled. Of the textiles being recycled, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, less than 1% are actually being recycled back into fibres to be reused in garments.
To help navigate between substantiated claims and greenwashing, the Australian Securities and Investment Commision (ASIC) provides a set of questions to consider. These questions will assist you to avoid greenwashing when offering or promoting the environmental credentials and/or impact of your products:
1. Is your product true to the label?

ASIC warns against using specific sustainability-related terminology or absolute terms in a product’s label, which would be misleading. For example, this may include label terms like ‘green’, ‘sustainable’ or ‘eco-friendly’, especially if used without explanation. Whilst these terms are likely to be seen as suggesting that a product, brand, or business as a whole has a positive environmental impact or at least no adverse impact, these claims are invalid unless a business/brand has the ability to prove it. In situations where the company is unable to prove its claims, it risks falling short of its legal obligations.
2. Have you used vague terminology in your communication?

Brands must be cautious when using technical terminology related to sustainability when communicating about their brand or product offerings. Many technical ESG terms do not have a ‘standard definition’, therefore it is crucial that brands explain the terminology used in their communication and promotional material.
3. Are your headline claims potentially misleading?

Considering that headline claims are a powerful tool for capturing your audience’s attention, it is important to avoid making misleading headline claims about sustainability-related products or actions. ASIC has noted that exceptions or qualifications such as fine print and terms and conditions to headline claims may well be insufficient to remedy misleading representations.
4. Have you explained how you use metrics related to sustainability?

It is advised by ASIC that several additional disclosures are made in relation to sustainability-related metrics. For example, this may include obtaining an ESG score from credible sources. In essence, an ESG score is a score calculated based on measuring a company’s relative ESG performance, commitment, and effectiveness across main themes such as emissions, environmental product innovation and human resources). A great example of this is Bassike’s recent B Corp certification achievement. Bassike has achieved B Corp certification with a high impact score of 92 in key areas including governance, workers, community and environment and customers, meaning that the brand highly values social and environmental performance, corporate governance, and transparency.
This information was compiled by Olvera Advisors

Connect with Olvera Advisors
Website | Linkedin | Facebook

Watch the final Knowledge Exchange Session of the AFC FashTech Lab

Thank you for joining us on Monday June 6th for the fourth and final AFC FashTech Lab Knowledge Exchange for 2022. The webinar hosted by our FashTech Project Manager Tracey Hamilton hosted our fashion and technology participants to reveal the final rendered digital samples they have been working on for the last six months along with their individual digital sampling journeys, time and cost saving and the fashion brands view on the longevity of digital solutions within their business.
 

The Avatars:
The session revealed that avatars, or ‘digital fit models,’ have a much greater chance of working for the brands if they start with clear measurements from the outset - Bianca Spender used the measurements from one of their actual fit models so they were able to approve the avatar straight away, making the creation process more time efficient.
 


 

The realism of digital fabrics:
Both Bianca Spender and Matteau were impressed at the level of detail achievable in their digitally rendered fabrics. Peta from Matteau reflected that the appearance of the digital fabrics was one of her strongest reservations before starting FashTech Labs, however she stated that the actual ‘weight, drape and movement’ of the digital fabrics was incredibly life-like. Bianca Spender noted the potential for digital samples to eliminate the issue of the 'hanger appeal' of many of their draped garments that are best viewed on the body.
 

Consensus of cost/time savings:
Matteau was amazed at the time, cost and fabric savings they gained due to the digital sampling workflow, noting how many physical samples they produce that never make it to production resulting in a lot of wasted fabric. With the digital workflow they can review, refine and select samples for their final collection, noting their time to market was also significantly reduced due to the digital sampling workflow.
 

WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE FINAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE:


 

CREATING A BUSINESS CASE FOR DIGITAL SAMPLING:

Ready to adopt digital sampling into your business? The AFC will develop a business case to show the time, cost, textile and carbon outcomes of this pilot program to help more businesses understand and adopt this workflow.

Stay tuned for the incoming case studies that will deep dive into the environmental impact of the program and reveal exactly how much water, time and textile waste has been saved and the actual cost savings for the brand participants. We will share reflections from the brands on how they plan to integrate the 3D sampling workflow after emerging from FashTech Lab as well as debunk many of the common myths surrounding digital sampling. The case studies will also demonstrate the potential for the digital sampling workflow as a tool to assist brands in transitioning to 'made-to-order' selling models to further reduce textile waste.
 

5 MINUTE FEEDBACK:
Help us improve the next FashTech Lab by answering five quick and easy questions. As a viewer what did you find most interesting, what do you wish there was more of and what do you want to see in the next iteration of the program?

TAKE THE SURVEY
 
 

Thank you to our technology partners; Style Atlas, Bandicoot, CoutureCAD, Ponz Studio, Neuno and ORDRE; who have guided the brands along their digital sampling workflow journey.
 

A special thanks to UTS, IMCRC and participating brands Cue, Bianca Spender, Matteau, Daniel Avakian, Eupheme, Palasade, Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp and West 14th.

Meet Style Atlas & ORDRE | Tech Partners for the 2022 AFC FashTech Lab

The challenges faced by today’s fashion brands are many and well documented. However, new technologies offer workflows that can significantly improve a brands bottom line, time-to-market and environmental footprint. Implementing a 3D design workflow, especially when integrated with traditional ones, represents one of the best opportunities for brands to be able to revolutionise their product development and sampling process.

 

The purpose of the AFC FashTech Lab is to present and trial 3D design workflows where participating fashion businesses can discover the benefits and reach new potentials within their supply chain in a frictionless and cost effective way. Meet the AFC FashTech Lab Technology brands, who throughout the program's duration will be guiding the nine fashion businesses through every step of their digital sampling strategies and workflows.
 

Style Atlas
The creator of Quadrant, a product development platform for today’s fashion brands. Think of Quadrant like, Shopify for Fashion Makers. A single source of truth for all your product development needs that lives in the browser, is intuitive to use, cost effective and powerful.
 

Q1. Can you tell us about Quadrant, do you have a success story to share about a brand or business implementing the program?

If an industry insider tried to categorise Quadrant they would generally refer to it as a PLM. That is not wrong, but we don’t refer to Quadrant this way because users often think of PLM’s as old, clunky legacy software that they hate to use and costs a fortune. Quadrant is the opposite of that and that’s why we like to describe Quadrant as “Shopify for Fashion Makers”. So just like Shopify has revolutionised many brands' sales funnel, by making e-commerce easy to set up and manage, incorporate lot’s of powerful features but also be super cost effective, Quadrant does for the other side of a brands business; their design and product development.
 

Quadrant was originally designed to optimise traditional development workflows, but now we have introduced new functionality to facilitate and optimise digital and hybrid workflows, which we see as the future for fashion brands who wish to stay commercially and environmentally sustainable.
 

We are working with brands here in Australia, the US and Europe and even though each of them are very different in many ways they still share the same basic challenges; Dollars, Time and Carbon. The large amount of money they have to outlay to produce and sell each collection; The risk involved in long rigid lead times and the environmental costs associated with producing and selling each collection. What’s exciting for us is how Quadrant is assisting all the brands we are working with to reduce each of these cost centres.
 

Q2. What does the future of fashion look like if businesses adapt to more digital design workflows?

Ultimately, it can help disrupt the broken business model that prevails in the fashion industry today. A model that forces brands to sign up for high MOQ’s and continually seek lower unit costs. Actions required all to chase high margins that will allow them to still make a return after they have heavily discounted a significant proportion of each collection because they have such long, rigid lead times which are totally out of sync with fast moving consumer trends.
 

Digital design workflows can help to facilitate new “on-demand” workflows where brands can test the market without having to produce a single physical item. Business models that use technology to allow designers to test and trial new styles quickly without the same financial and environmental costs. So designers can be more creative, brands can retain higher margins without high MOQs and pressure on supply chain partners and the industry can lose its unwanted status as the second largest polluter after the oil industry.
 
 

ORDRE
The ORDRE Group comprises several fashion technologies redefining relationships between luxury brands, retailers, and consumers. Digital innovation is the company’s driving force.
 

Q1. What limitations are relieved when utilising digital showrooms?

Virtual showrooms provide fashion designers the opportunity to promote and sell their seasonal and core collections outside of traditional fashion market timings and locations. Removing the need to travel to conduct wholesale appointments saves fashion designers time, money and reduces unnecessary carbon emissions.
 

Q2. Can you share a success story of a brand you’ve worked with and how the ORDRE network allowed them to reach greater exposure? (in comparison to physical showings)

Throughout the last two years of the pandemic, AFC Virtual on ORDRE has assisted many Australian designers including P.E Nation, Helen Kaminski, Aje, and Jac+Jack to sell their wholesale collections to existing and prospective international buyers when travel was not possible. The program resulted in considerable virtual wholesale volume and a number of designers picking up new accounts in Europe, North America and Greater China.
 
 

To find out more about the AFC FashTech Lab head to the program page on the AFC website.