FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has announced its cohort of Australian designers taking their brands to the world, with ten labels heading to CENTRESTAGE Hong Kong this September as part of AFC Global Gateways: Hong Kong 2026.

Gary Bigeni, Buluuy Mirrii and VAN BRUSSEL, who showcased at Australian Fashion Week 2026, will join Asiyam, Briar Will, MOS the Label, NIAMH GALEA, Permanent Vacation, VICETA WANG and WEST 14TH at the AFC Pavilion, connecting with international buyers, media, consumers and industry, to open new export pathways across Asia. From Australian Fashion Week to Global Gateways, the AFC is building a connected pathway for Australian designers showcasing talent at home, creating opportunities abroad and supporting Australian fashion businesses to compete on the global stage.

Delivered by the AFC with support from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the 2026 program is funded through the Australian Government’s Trade Diversification Network, Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI). The investment follows sustained AFC advocacy around the economic contribution and export potential of Australia’s fashion and textile sector and the importance of creating practical pathways for Australian fashion businesses into new international markets.

As part of the program, the Australian designers will also be showcased at an Australian Fashion Council Designer Showcase and Reception, hosted by the Consul-General of Australia in Hong Kong, Mr Gareth Williams, at the Australian Residence. The evening will bring together Australian designers, buyers, industry and guests, providing an opportunity to experience the designers’ work and craftsmanship up close.

The announcement comes as the impact of the inaugural AFC Global Gateways: Hong Kong 2025 program is being realised. Australian designer Monika Branagan, who participated in the first Hong Kong cohort, held an exclusive pop-up at Seibu Shibuya department store in Tokyo after making a connection with a Japanese fashion agency through CENTRESTAGE. This milestone provides an early example of what AFC Global Gateways was established to achieve: creating international connections that can translate into genuine commercial opportunities for Australian fashion businesses.

Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the Australian Fashion Council, said: “This is what trade diversification looks like in practice; creating the connections and opportunities that help Australian fashion businesses enter new markets and grow globally.

“From Australian Fashion Week to Global Gateways, we are building a pathway that showcases Australian talent at home and takes it to the world. Monika’s journey from Hong Kong to Tokyo shows what can happen when we open those doors.

“We’re incredibly proud of our 2026 cohort and excited to showcase the creativity, quality and ambition of Australian fashion across Asia.”

Jay Meek, General Manager, Trade Diversification Taskforce, Austrade, said: “Monika's journey from Hong Kong to a Tokyo pop-up is exactly what the Accessing New Markets Initiative was designed to deliver: Australian businesses winning in competitive Asian markets. Backing the AFC and this cohort of designers is a smart investment in trade diversification, and we look forward to seeing the 2026 group build on that success at CENTRESTAGE in September.”

Founder and designer, Monika Branagan said: “The opportunity to present at CENTRESTAGE allowed me to make contact with Smile Code, the Japanese agency coordinating the pop-up at Seibu Shibuya. The experience also opened my eyes to bigger opportunities that I would never have considered had I not been selected.

“I’m so grateful to the AFC for providing this invaluable experience. I’m beyond excited to present my label in Tokyo. I’m interested in the intersection of art, fashion and costume, and there is such a strong culture of self-expression and creativity in Japanese fashion.”

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Download imagery here. For further information:
Prue-ellen Thomas, Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC
pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 439 882 788

Monika Branagan
Phone: +61 415 316 886
Email: monika@monikabranagan.com
Instagram: @monikabranagan
www.monikabranagan.com

Barry Kan, Underxcore Inc.
WhatsApp: +852 9681 6907
Email: jp.enquiry@underxcore.com
Instagram: @smile_code_jp
www.smile-code-jp.com 

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ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is the not-for-profit peak body for Australia’s fashion and textile industry, representing and advancing the sector nationally and globally. The AFC provides a unified voice for an industry that makes a significant contribution to Australia’s economy, jobs, creativity and culture. Working across industry, government and education, the AFC advocates for the policies, investment and infrastructure needed to strengthen the sector and create new opportunities for Australian businesses. Our work is focused on four key areas: Trade & Export, Australian Manufacturing, Jobs & Skills, and Sustainability & Circularity. Through initiatives including Australian Fashion Week, AFC Global Gateways, the National Manufacturing Strategy and AFC Academy, we connect and champion Australian designers, brands, manufacturers and the broader fashion and textile ecosystem.

Our ambition is to build a stronger, more globally competitive Australian fashion and textile industry supporting Australian businesses to grow, innovate, manufacture, create jobs and take Australian fashion to the world.

ABOUT AFC GLOBAL GATEWAYS
AFC Global Gateways is the Australian Fashion Council’s international market development platform, designed to increase the global visibility and commercial opportunities of Australian fashion businesses.

Working with government, trade and international industry partners, the program connects Australian designers with buyers, media and industry in priority global markets, supporting the sector to diversify exports, build international relationships and grow Australian fashion’s presence on the world stage.