Media Release: AFC Launches Australia’s First Clothing Smart Factory Feasibility Study with Three Leading Universities, Backed by Epson Australia and Investment NSW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has commissioned a landmark feasibility study to establish a first-of-its-kind Clothing Smart Factory in Australia, a nationally significant step towards rebuilding sovereign capability and creating a new generation of advanced fashion manufacturing. A Clothing Smart Factory is a next-generation, technology-enabled manufacturing facility designed to bring onshore garment production back for Australian brands. The purpose-built manufacturing incubator will allow brands to test ideas, conduct R&D, and run small production at a scale and cost that is currently unviable onshore.

The study is backed by global technology leader Epson, the AFC’s strategic print and projection partner supporting the digital textile printing capability, and supported by Investment NSW through its Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program. The study brings together a research consortium of three of Australia's leading universities, RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology and University of Technology Sydney and, combining deep expertise across advanced manufacturing, textile technology and the emerging skills needed to power the fashion industry's digital transformation.

The Smart Factory will investigate a Cut, Make and Trim (CMT) facility equipped with digital pattern making, digital textile printing, CNC cutting, automated production line machinery and advanced finishing technologies. The final study will deliver a blueprint to establish a smart factory in NSW, assessing market demand, technical requirements, workforce and skills, financial modelling and opportunities for government and industry co-investment.

The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP, NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, said: “The NSW Government is proud to support initiatives that keep fashion and textile manufacturing right here in New South Wales. A clothing smart factory has the potential to create skilled local jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base and broaden our innovation ecosystem. This feasibility study is an important step in building the networks across academia and industry to enhance our manufacturing expertise and competitiveness in this sector.”

Sam Delgos, General Manager of the AFC, said  "Australia has extraordinary design talent, but for decades we've watched our clothing manufacturing capability move offshore. If we're serious about building a globally competitive fashion industry, we need the infrastructure to support it. This feasibility study is our blueprint; bringing together industry, government and Australia's leading universities to explore a new model for advanced, on-demand production. We’re building the case for long-term investment in sovereign manufacturing, future skills and local production"

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia and New Zealand, said: "Epson is once again proud to support the Australian Fashion Council on another important initiative. Digital textile printing is transforming how garments are designed and made, reducing waste and water use while enabling local, on-demand production. We are delighted we can bring our technology and expertise to a project that will reshape the future of Australian fashion manufacturing."

Dr Alice Payne, Professor and Dean, School of Fashion & Textiles, RMIT, said: "RMIT's School of Fashion and Textiles is proud to bring our expertise in design, enterprise and technology to this nationally significant project. Our staff work at the intersection of practice and research, as designers, technologists and industry leaders, and that experience is central to shaping a smart factory model that is genuinely viable for Australian brands. We're excited to partner with the AFC and our consortium partners to help build a funding model that is sustainable and scalable, and to ensure this facility reflects the ethical, sustainable and regenerative practice our industry needs for the future.”

Professor Blair Kuys, Executive Dean, School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne, said: "On-demand and hyper-personalised fashion represent a significant opportunity for Australia’s creative and manufacturing economies. Swinburne University of Technology is proud to be working with the Australian Fashion Council and the consortium university partners to contribute our expertise in artificial intelligent manufacturing and build on our recent investment in fashion technologies. This study is an important step towards supporting the future of advanced fashion manufacturing in Australia.”

Professor James Bennett, Dean, Faculty of Design & Society, UTS, said: “UTS is committed to supporting our world-leading creative industries grow and innovate through ethical and sustainable practices,  which is why we are proud to partner with RMIT and Swinburne Universities on this project. This is a significant milestone of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, and UTS will build upon our expertise to complete the Workforce Analysis.”

The initiative is directly aligned with the NSW Government's Fashion Sector Strategy, which signals strong appetite for investment in the sector and a priority for the state. The AFC's longer-term ambition is a scalable, replicable model that could underpin a national network of smart factories over the coming decade. Together with the AFC's work across Australian Fashion Week, Global Gateways export development, workforce capability and the National Manufacturing Strategy, the Clothing Smart Factory represents another pillar in rebuilding Australia's fashion ecosystem from design through to manufacturing and global market access.

The study is expected to be completed in late 2026, ahead of an AFC industry launch event.

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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

 

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.

ABOUT EPSON AND THE MONNA LISA PRINTER:
Epson is a technology innovation and engineering company whose philosophy of efficient, compact, and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company uses technology and engineering ability to implement real-world solutions in precision innovation, industrial & robotics, office & home printing, and visual & lifestyle. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1.4 trillion.

Epson is very much at the heart of onshore garment production with solutions such as its Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric series of digital printers that enable print on demand manufacturing that minimises waste, reduces energy use and shortens supply chains – all key goals for an industry striving to meet both environmental and creative challenges. Featuring water-based pigment inks and precision print technology, the Monna Lisa series also enables sustainable on demand manufacturing, reducing waste, uses less water and helps brands become faster and more agile to changing trends while making local production more cost effective.

Future Makers: Fran Maiale, CEO Waverley Mills

Waverley Mills has been making textiles in Australia for 150 years. Leading it into its next chapter is Fran Maiale, a CEO who brings commercial rigour, a deep belief in purpose-driven business, and a leadership style built on authenticity and genuine care for people.

In this edition of Future Makers, Fran talks about earning credibility in rooms where she was often the youngest and only woman, the mentors who shaped her, and why kindness is one of the most underestimated forces in business.

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey? Was there a pivotal moment that led you to where you are today?
My career started in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, which gave me a strong grounding in commercial thinking, brand building and understanding how large businesses operate. The pivotal shift came when I moved from large corporates into entrepreneurial businesses and founder-led SMEs. That experience taught me to be more agile, hands-on and resourceful, and ultimately shaped the way I lead today.

I've always been drawn to businesses with a strong sense of purpose, and that's what led me to Waverley Mills. The opportunity to help steward a 150-year-old Australian manufacturer while building a contemporary brand felt incredibly meaningful. It brings together commercial growth, people, product and purpose in a way that few roles can.

2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who shaped your leadership style?
I've been fortunate to work alongside some incredibly capable people throughout my career, and a number of them gave me the confidence to back myself and push further. I've also learned a great deal from leaders whose behaviours I didn't want to repeat — those lessons can be just as valuable.

I've always valued mentor-mentee relationships that feel like genuine exchanges rather than hierarchies. The best leaders remain curious and open to learning from the people around them, regardless of title or experience.

More than anything, I've tried to stay true to who I am. That authenticity has been the most consistent anchor in how I lead.

3. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?
There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but a consistent one early in my executive career was being one of the youngest people in the room and often the only woman. Many of my counterparts were older and more experienced, and it would have been easy to second-guess myself.

Instead, I focused on doing the work, understanding the detail and delivering outcomes. Over time I learned that credibility comes from contribution, not age or title. That approach has stayed with me throughout my career: stay clear, stay outcomes-focused and let the results speak for themselves.

4. Our industry is 77% female, yet this isn't reflected at the executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved in its support for women leaders? What can we do to change this?
I'm still relatively new to the fashion and textile industry, but I believe there is still work to do. It's important that businesses move beyond good intentions and put real plans in place to support women into leadership roles.

We need to ensure women aren't only represented in creative functions, but are actively encouraged into commercial, operational and strategic leadership positions as well. Visibility matters. When women can see others leading across all areas of a business, it helps broaden what they believe is possible.

At Waverley Mills we're fortunate to have strong female representation across much of the organisation, and it's shown us what's possible when capability and opportunity are the focus. More broadly, businesses need to ensure women's voices are genuinely part of the decisions that shape the future of the industry.

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?
Lead with a generous spirit and bring people with you. Some of the most rewarding moments in leadership come from seeing others succeed and knowing you've helped create the environment for that to happen.

Kindness and authenticity are often underestimated in business, but they're not weaknesses. In my experience, they sit behind some of the toughest decisions and strongest teams. People remember how you make them feel, and trust is built over time through consistency, honesty and respect.

If you can combine ambition with genuine care for people, you'll build something that lasts.

Find more about Waverley Mills here.

Media Release: Australian Fashion Council Returns to Hong Kong with an Expanded Export Mission

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) have announced Global Gateways: Hong Kong 2026, an export mission that will place seven Australian brands in front of Asia's leading buyers and press at CENTRESTAGE, Hong Kong from 2-5 September 2026. Australian brands can apply now, with applications closing Monday 13 July 2026.

The mission forms the AFC's broader Global Gateways strategy, a long-term international export platform for Australian fashion. As the second market in the program, and the AFC's second trade mission to Hong Kong after a successful 2025 trip that resulted in more than 115 buyer connections, it strengthens Australia's presence in Asia while complementing new opportunities in Europe, creating ongoing commercial pathways for Australian brands. For 2026, the mission includes:

Powered by the Accessing New Markets Initiative, Australia’s presence at CentreStage Hong Kong responds directly to the export diversification needs raised by members following recent U.S. tariff exposure, offering a structured, government-backed pathway that helps open durable wholesale channels across Asia and strengthen the sector's export base.

Selection is AFC member-first, across three pathways, with designers assessed on export readiness, commercial viability, collection strength, operational capability, and capacity to convert buyer engagement into wholesale outcomes. Brands participate with virtually no upfront cost, removing the cost-barrier to enter export markets.

Jay Meek, General Manager, Trade Diversification Taskforce, Austrade, said: “Asia presents significant export diversification opportunities for the Australian fashion industry, including Hong Kong. The Trade Diversification Network was built on government and industry working together, using Austrade's global network and the AFC's sector knowledge to open sustained buyer pathways. Global Gateways: Hong Kong does exactly that, bringing structured, commercially focused access to the buyers, retailers and markets that matter most in this region. Australian fashion has the product, and we're pleased to help position it in one of Asia's most important fashion hubs.”

Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the Australian Fashion Council, said: “Hong Kong proved what Global Gateways can do: in-market presence, government backing and a united Australian front turned visibility into real buyer relationships across Asia. In 2026 we are scaling that success, giving more Australian designers a structured pathway into one of the world's most important regions for fashion. This is exactly the kind of export diversification our members have asked us for.”

Apply via the AFC website here by 9am Monday 13 July 2026. Successful applicants will be advised and offered placements in July. 

 

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Imagery here and for further information:

Prue-ellen Thomas

Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC

pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 439 882 788

 

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ABOUT AFC GLOBAL GATEWAYS:

Global Gateways is the AFC's international export program, designed to give Australian designers structured pathways into priority global markets through export education, in-market exposure, buyer matchmaking and government-backed diplomacy. It forms part of the AFC's Commerce and Trade strategic pillar, and now spans both Hong Kong (gateway to Asia) and Paris (gateway to Europe).

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.

 

ACCC Flags Compliance Responsibilities for Disperse Blue Dyes in Textiles

Australia's industrial chemicals regulator has recently identified potential health risks associated with certain disperse blue dyes used in textile manufacturing. Businesses involved in the sourcing, manufacture or supply of textile products should be aware of these findings and their implications. We’re sharing this information with members to ensure you are aware of these findings and have context to consider any potential implications for your business and supply chain.


What has been identified?
In December 2025, AICIS released an evaluation (EVA00166) of six disperse blue dyes used in textile fabric dyeing and printing inks: Disperse Blue 82, 96, 102, 106, 124 and 360. These dyes can be found in a broad range of products, including clothing, footwear, nappies, seatbelts and furniture made from synthetic fabrics or leather.

The evaluation found that health risks arise primarily through skin contact with dyed fabrics and garments. The most significant concern is skin sensitisation, with these dyes identified as extremely potent sensitisers based on both clinical and animal evidence. A well-documented link between exposure to these dyes and allergic contact dermatitis has been established, and Australian exposure has been confirmed through patch test studies identifying sensitisation to Disperse Blue 106 and 124.

A key challenge is that reactions can occur at concentrations well below the detection limits of standard textile testing methods. This means businesses cannot rely on compliance testing alone to manage risk, and no safe threshold has been established for these dyes in products worn or used in prolonged contact with the skin.

Beyond skin sensitisation, the evaluation also identified:

 

The Australian Context
None of these disperse blue dyes are currently restricted in Australia. Disperse Blue 360 is in active commercial use in textile printing inks, and products containing any of these dyes may continue to be imported and supplied to the Australian market.

Internationally, these chemicals are attracting increasing regulatory attention. Several are already included on European restricted substance lists, and further restrictions on Disperse Blue 102, 106 and 124 are proposed under the European Union's REACH Regulation.

AICIS has recommended that the ACCC consider options under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) to address the risks these chemicals may pose in consumer goods. The AFC will keep members informed as the regulatory landscape evolves.

What does this mean for your business?
These obligations apply to every business in the supply chain: manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.

For More Information

Meet Patrick White, Australian finalist of the eBay Circular Fashion Fund 2026.

eBay named Ragpiq a regional winner in eBay's 2026 Circular Fashion Fund. Co-founded by Patrick White and Gwynn Kijkanakorn,  two uni friends who spent years throwing everything at the wall before landing on the problem worth solving.

Ragpiq is a platform that connects clothing resellers with people who want their wardrobes gone but have no appetite for the work of selling them. By outsourcing the selling to people who are actually good at it, Ragpiq is tackling one of the most entrenched inefficiencies in second-hand fashion: that most people have simply given up on reselling altogether.

A few weeks ago, Patrick travelled to New York City to pitch alongside the global finalists. We caught up with him to hear more.

Could you share some insights into your background and the journey that led you to start Ragpiq?

Gwynn and I met at uni. We got put together on a consulting internship, clicked like no tomorrow, and ended up both being the dux’s of our class. We were both resellers from a young age and both pretty entrepreneurial, so once we realised we worked well together, the question was never if we'd build something, it was what.

We spent the next two to three years throwing absolutely everything at the wall to see what would stick, all of it circling one stubborn idea: secondhand sucked for a lot of people, and there had to be a better way to do it. We built three resale apps. We opened our own physical consignment warehouse in Thornbury that held a whopping 2,000 items at its peak. We basically lived in that building, and every tool and bit of software we made there is what we've since rebuilt into Ragpiq.

The deeper drive is that we both believe innovation is the best industry you can be in. When you look at how asset appreciation has outpaced income over the last 60 years, building something genuinely valuable to society beats a 9-to-5 every time. We'd rather be broke for five years out of uni, get comfortable being broke, and build something that matters.

Take me back to that pitch room. What was it really like, how did you prepare, and what would you tell other businesses heading into pitching opportunities?

A fever dream, honestly. But I felt so ridiculously prepared that it actually felt right. I'd butchered my last two live-audience pitches, so they do say, third time's the charm, but really I think I'd just gotten sick of being nervous and not being myself.

Getting there was its own comedy. When I realised I'd booked flights landing 12 hours before the event, I felt like the dumbest smart founder heading to New York. I slept 12 hours on the plane, then had to somehow find another 8 that night, over room service steak. Pretty scary maths. But the venue saved me: a gorgeous old Georgian hotel in the fashion precinct, right opposite Broadway and all the little cafes. The pitch room itself was a cosy, tavern-style space with low ceilings and plush furniture, so it felt less like a boardroom and more like a comedy night. I'd planned exactly one laugh, and thankfully it landed.

On preparation, it was AI, AI, AI. Every single word got scrutinised by multiple language models, every slide rebuilt and re-rendered in Claude Design until it was almost too perfect. The biggest lesson I learned about memorising a long pitch is that it has nothing to do with how hard you cram and everything to do with how early you start. The number of nights you leave between memorising and performing is what counts, because your mind coagulates and processes while you sleep. That's what makes each slide feel like second nature.

So my advice to anyone heading into a pitch: start ridiculously early, and practice in front of actual people, because pitching to a room is a completely different animal to running lines alone. One tactic I swear by is spiking your heart rate before you rehearse, do push-ups or run a lap outside first. It recreates the adrenaline you'll feel on the day, so the real thing doesn't catch your body off guard.

What inspired the idea of flipping the reselling model?

Two things: the figures, and bitter personal experience. We hated reselling. It's fun the first time, then it's just labour, and eventually you're sitting there going, why am I effectively working a $20-an-hour hospitality shift to sell my own jumper?

Then the numbers backed up the feeling. Around 70% of people's wardrobes go unworn. About 39% have outright given up on reselling. And the number one reason people resell isn't to make money, it's to declutter. So you've got millions of people who genuinely want their clothes gone but have zero appetite for the work of selling them. The obvious answer was to stop asking them to do it. Outsource the selling to people who are actually good at it and enjoy it, and let everyone else just enjoy a tidy wardrobe and a payout.

What do you think about the environmental impact, and does that mission shape your decisions as a founder?

It shapes everything, but I try to be clear-eyed about how it works. The environmental impact is real: every garment we keep moving is one that doesn't get replaced by something new. The average Australian wardrobe is sitting on around $4,000 of unworn clothes, and most of it is destined for a bin bag eventually.

But I've also learned that people don't change behaviour for the planet alone. Around 60% of younger shoppers say affordability is their number one reason for buying secondhand, and most of that generation flat-out doesn't trust brand sustainability claims anymore. So we don't lead with guilt. We make the sustainable choice the easy, profitable, slightly addictive one, then let the environmental upside come for free. If we get the convenience right, the circularity takes care of itself at scale. That's the decision that matters.

How do you build and maintain that trust on both sides of the marketplace?
The most important thing is security: your items are protected by Ragpiq. Our resellers are carefully vetted and go through a scrutinised onboarding process, so you know you're in safe hands. That's exactly why a moderated platform makes more sense than fending for yourself, researching strangers and hoping for the best. It's the same problem Uber solved. People didn't want to climb into a car with someone they'd never met, but once enough people trusted the system, and the system held a genuinely high standard of service, you reach a kind of bliss. That's what we're reaching for.

We build that trust structurally rather than just promising it. Consignors keep ownership of their items until they sell, so they're never handing over value and hoping for the best. Resellers are vetted and local, not anonymous accounts on the other side of the country, which is where hyper-local really matters: there's real accountability when the person handling your wardrobe is only a few suburbs away. And we keep both sides visible to each other through the whole process, so nobody is left wondering what happened to their bag or their stock.

What does being selected as a finalist mean to your business, and what are you hoping the funding will unlock for Ragpiq?

First, validation. We had so much warm, supportive feedback from people in New York, and trust me, they're every bit as blunt as we are in Australia. They give it to you straight, no emotion. That's exactly why it meant so much, because it told us what we're building isn't just an Australian fix. It's universal, and it's a seriously good way of solving a global problem.

I'll be honest though: we didn't win the final investment, and the reason was traction. We simply didn't have enough of it yet. Far from being a blow, that's been clarifying. It means the job now is to put our heads down, build the flywheel and the system, and obsess over every single customer and interaction so we're ready to win the next one. The whole experience taught me that fundraising, networking and the operational glamour is the devil dressed in fancy clothes, always trying to lure you away from the only things that actually matter: your customers and your product. That's where we'll be 90% of the time for the foreseeable future.

The funding gives us serious runway to push our AI software further, and to completely rebuild our social media and branding so it genuinely speaks to our audience. A good chunk will also go into meeting resellers, boutiques and secondhand stores right across the country. Honestly, wining and dining the best operators in the business is one of the best uses of our money I can think of. So if you're reading this and you're scaling your resale, come find us. You won't regret it.

Discover more about Ragpiq here.

 

AFC Global Gateways: Paris 2026 Application

Apply for AFC Global Gateways: Paris 2026, the Australian Fashion Council’s dedicated Australian showroom at Paris Fashion Week for Womenswear SS27 held from 28 September - 6 October 2026.

Designers will be assessed against criteria, including:

Successful NSW emerging brands participate at little cost. Successful established and non-NSW brands participate with a 50% subsidised fee, to be confirmed at time of offer in July.

Program participants will be endorsed by a panel including the AFC, Create NSW and Industry leaders. Applicants will be advised if they are successful and offered a placement in July 2026.

 

Good luck to all applicants!

Australian Fashion in Focus at the 2026 Global Sourcing Expo

The AFC is pleased to announce that Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic will deliver the opening address at the 2026 Global Sourcing Expo in Sydney on Tuesday 16 June.

Her address, Making the Future: Australia's Fashion Industry in a Changing Global Supply Chain, comes at a pivotal moment for the sector. Australian fashion is at an inflection point. Global sourcing networks are evolving rapidly, local manufacturing ambitions are growing, and the decisions made over the next 12 months about where we source, how we build, and who we partner with,  will shape the industry for the decade ahead.

Marianne will offer a view from the front, covering three areas the AFC believes are critical for members and the wider industry to engage with right now: the current state of Australian fashion, and where the opportunities and pressures sit heading into the second half of 2026; the Federal Government's National Manufacturing Strategy, and what it means in practical terms for designers, brands, manufacturers and retailers across the value chain; and the case for why Australia's relationships with its global supply partners have never been more strategically important — not in tension with local manufacturing ambitions, but as part of the same story.

In a first for the event, the Global Sourcing Expo and the AFC are partnering to pilot a showcase of three Australian manufacturers on the fair floor. It's a small but deliberate step to bring local capability into the same conversation as international supply, and give buyers a direct line to onshore partners alongside the global suppliers they've come to source from.

Across the three days, Patty Huntington will again host a program of insightful industry discussions, including a session on Made in Australia: The Reshoring Movement Gaining Momentum.

The Global Sourcing Expo runs 16–18 June 2026 at ICC Sydney and brings together international manufacturers, suppliers and Australian trade buyers across apparel, footwear, accessories, textiles and homewares. Entry is free for trade visitors.

The AFC encourages members to attend the opening address and to use the three days that follow to connect, compare and build the partnerships that will define what comes next for Australian fashion.

Register to attend at globalsourcingexpo.com.au

AFW2026: Meet the Makers, presented by EPSON

Australian Fashion Week has long been the industry's most important week of the year. This year, we used it to do something different, bring the supply chain into the room.

On the rooftop of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the AFC hosted Meet the Makers. a curated matchmaking event presented by Epson and MC'd by Glen Rollason, Founder of RB Patterns. 11 of Australia's leading manufacturers gathered under one roof, giving brands a rare opportunity to discover the capabilities, craftsmanship and capacity sitting right in their own backyard.

For too long, local manufacturing has felt out of reach for many Australian brands, not because the capability isn't there, but because the connections haven't been. Meet the Makers was built to change that. By creating a structured, face-to-face environment during the industry's most concentrated week of the year, we brought the right people into the same room at the right time.

None of this would have been possible without the eleven manufacturers who brought the event to life: EPSON, Citizen Wolf, ABMT, J&M Fashions, Knovus, Marlene Dawn, MTK Australia, RB Patterns, Silver Fleece, Tech Style Studio and Waverley Mills.

Each showcased what they do best and in doing so, opened the door to a new wave of Australian-made partnerships.

The calibre of brands in attendance reflected the broad appetite for local production across the industry. Joining the event were brands spanning from enterprise to SMB, including CUE, THE ICONIC, Alemais, BY JOHNNY, MARCS, Injury, Haluminous, LuluJaru, West 14th and more.  

The result was exactly what the event was designed to deliver. The room was alive with energy from the moment it opened, with brands eager to understand what Australian manufacturers are truly capable of. From fabric and pattern making to full garment production and digital printing, the range of expertise on display was a powerful reminder of the depth of skill that still exists.


A special thank you to our partner EPSON, whose support made Meet the Makers possible. Events like this are only possible with partners who are genuinely invested in the future of the Australian fashion industry, and Epson's commitment to local manufacturing is a reflection of exactly that.

International Women's Day Edition of Future Makers: Lisa Lake, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles

For our final International Women's Day feature, we're proud to spotlight Lisa Lake, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles. With a career built on purpose, research and a deep commitment to climate action, Lisa has spent nearly two decades working to shift the Australian fashion industry toward a more sustainable future. 

Read on to learn about the journey that brought her here.

 

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey? Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?

 I started in this industry as a sustainable fashion activist, and my environmental passion has shaped my career in the industry. My early professional life was in marketing and branding in the US and Australia, but I quickly felt I needed change and started looking for greater purpose. For nearly two decades, I have been driven to work towards climate action, and it is that internal driving force that has led me to use my unique skills, relationships and opportunities to aid in the sustainable transition of the Australian fashion industry.

Thinking of key moments, 2009 was a big year for me – I had my environmental “awakening” thanks to the film An Inconvenient Truth, completed a master’s degree where I studied – among other things - culture and environmental behaviour change, and started to work for the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). While working at GBCA I wrote my book Sustainability with Style (2012), an eco-memoir documenting my lifestyle changes including fashion, beauty, food choices and more. Thanks to the book, I connected with incredible sustainable fashion pioneers in Australia and around the world, and together with three of them (Carlie Ballard, Kelly Elkin, and Yatu Widders Hunt) founded Clean Cut, producing the first sustainable fashion show on the Australian Fashion Week program in 2014. Putting on the show was a huge labour of love – we all had full time jobs, and called in all the favours imaginable, including with our amazing PR partner at New Future, Elena Silverwood. The show featured eight sustainable fashion labels from around the world (including my current colleague Rachael Cassar and New Zealand brand Kowtow). It was incredibly challenging, incredibly fulfilling, and well received by industry and media.

Just as the fashion show was coming together, I also embarked on my PhD, which allowed me to focus deeply on transitioning the Australian fashion industry toward sustainability. Following completion of my PhD, I had a few years of contract sustainability work and had a couple babies, and then started my role in late 2021 with the Centre of Excellence – it has been an ideal opportunity to support industry transformation as it brings educational expertise and research excellence into collaboration with industry. Looking back, my path in the industry has not been linear, but it’s always been values- and purpose-driven, which feels like a true privilege.

 

2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?

I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors - academically, professionally, and personally. As I reflect on them now, I can see they all share traits I deeply value: integrity, intelligence, compassion, and a commitment to leading with values over ego. I try to bring these qualities into my own leadership, which is certainly still evolving.

My time at GBCA was especially formative and I had the privilege of working directly with then-CEO Romilly Madew AO, a natural leader who demonstrates values-based leadership. I witnessed how she could hold her own in an historically masculine industry, command a room of thousands when she spoke, and also nurture a growing team, supporting a culture that made space for employees to thrive. Romilly supported my working part-time while writing my book because she wanted to create a workplace where women could achieve all their dreams, and my role was the first in the organisation to become a job-share, which I shared with a working mum. Rom’s unique blend of extreme talent, work ethic and compassion has greatly influenced my leadership style – and I also think of her every time I’m in the office early and turn on classical music, as I heard her do countless times over the years in those early hours, enjoying the calm before the chaos of the day.

Academically, I’ve been shaped by my PhD supervisor, Professor Natalya Lusty. She is wickedly clever, precise, curious, warm, and direct. She saw potential in my academic work when nearly no one else in our field did, and bolstered me when others challenged the importance of addressing sustainability in fashion. I often reflect on Natalya’s enthusiasm and optimism about the work we all do, and am pleased to also call her my friend. Last but certainly not least, my colleague Associate Professor Timo Rissanen inspires me daily through his compassion, brilliance, wit, and unwavering commitment to meaningful work. It’s a real pleasure when your colleagues are also your mentors.

 

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge is that I don’t always fit in - whether that’s being one of few women in male-dominated leadership spaces, talking about fashion when others were talking about the built environment, entering fashion as an activist, or navigating a hybrid academic-industry role. At times this has meant not being taken seriously, missing opportunities because I framed ideas differently, or facing delays or relationship setbacks because I was challenging established norms. (And let’s be honest, when you’re actively challenging standard business practices to prioritise the planet and people rather than solely profit, sometimes your phone calls just go unanswered).

For me, the key to overcoming this challenge has been to turn it into my superpower. I know that my varied background helps me see problems from different angles. I also ask a lot of questions, put in the time to understand the issues, and treat challenges as an opportunity to approach the work from a new perspective. Due to my time in different industries, I also have a large network of colleagues I can call upon for advice or collaboration – relationships are so important to making a meaningful impact and I deeply value the connections I’ve made along the way. On a practical level, I’ve also taken leadership training to identify my unique strengths, understand different personality types and how to best work together, support a high-performing team, and gained strategic tools that provide structure to challenging, impactful work. Leaning into difference – rather than trying to erase it – has been uncomfortable at times but has been key to navigating many challenges.

 

4. Our industry is 77% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?
The statistics on women’s leadership are disheartening, but unfortunately not unique to our industry. Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions across all sectors despite high education and workforce participation rates. I can’t speak to how it has evolved in the fashion industry, but I do see clear opportunities for progress.

First, structured mentorship and leadership training tailored to women – not designed to make us like businessmen – is critical. Next we need more realistic expectations around work hours and travel, especially since women still take most caregiving responsibilities for children and aging parents.  Childcare support and paid parental leave for all genders matter, as does continued cultural change, but in this moment in time, so do honest conversations with aspiring female leaders about how leadership roles can work around real lives. By the time a woman has enough experience to enter a leadership position, she is often also considering a family or already has one, and we should not ignore this complexity.

Without becoming too binary or stereotypical in our definitions of gender, we should also be welcoming traditional ‘feminine’ traits  - like empathy, creativity, and multi-tasking – and learning how to use them to the benefit of our organisations. In addition, success should not be measured by speed or burnout, both too common in our industry. Collectively we can change expectations of what success looks by slowing down, reshaping timelines, and genuinely prioritising staff wellbeing as a marker of organisational success. Finally, businesses can work to ensure representation on their boards and leadership teams reflect the gender and diversity make-up of the industry – yes, that means more women than men on boards and leadership teams. But if fashion can’t lead on representation, which industry can?

 

5. What's one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?

Listen to your internal voice and don’t back away from doing the hard work. Creating change – especially in complex areas like climate action, social inequality, or shifting long-standing industry systems – is difficult and unpredictable. Your career won’t follow the path you expect, no one ever does. But if you are true to yourself, act with integrity, and take the time to do things properly, you’ll create a positive impact in ways you may not even foresee.

Find more about Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles

 

Thank you to Katie-Louise, Lilian, Ebony and Lisa for sharing their stories with us this International Women's Day. Their vision, courage and commitment to building a better industry is exactly what balancing the scales looks like in practice.

International Women's Day Edition of Future Makers: Ebony Booth, Co-founder of Eupheme

Today we spotlight Ebony Booth, co-founder of Eupheme, who left a career spanning BCG and Diane von Furstenberg in New York to build the womenswear brand she knew Australia was missing. Join us as we dive into her story, her vision, and the values at the heart of everything she creates.

 

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey? Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?

My first major role in the fashion industry was at Diane von Furstenberg in New York, where I was exposed to every facet of a global fashion business. Prior to that, I worked at BCG advising large consumer companies, which gave me a strong commercial foundation and an understanding of how brands are built with clarity and scale. At DVF, I was drawn to the vision of building a brand for women through the perspective of a woman.

The pivotal moment came when my sister, now my co-founder, Ashlee, and I returned to Australia after living in the US and Europe and recognised a clear gap in the market: a brand that approached women’s tailoring with the same seriousness, beauty and rigour long afforded to European luxury menswear. That became Eupheme.

 

2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?

Definitely Diane and Paolo Riva, who was the CEO of DVF at the time, both in very different ways. Diane built a brand with a strong sense of purpose around women, while Paolo taught me how to think about brand and product as distinct disciplines that must still work together in harmony.

I have also been influenced by the European luxury tradition, particularly businesses where craft is protected, product is respected, and growth is approached patiently. I tend to lead with high standards, a strong sense of responsibility and stewardship, and a long-term view.

Becoming both a founder and a mother has also shaped me. It has made me more decisive, more empathetic, and more aware that leadership is not about performance, but about steadiness and consistency.

 

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges has been building a business at a very high product level without the capital structure many brands rely on. When you are working with exceptional fabrics and makers, the commercial pressure is real, and you are constantly balancing ambition with sustainability.

Another challenge has been the tension between scale and integrity. There is often pressure to grow quickly, but I have always wanted to build something with depth and longevity.

I have overcome that by leaning into my working partnership with Ashlee. The tension between creativity and financial discipline exists in our business every day, and I think that has helped protect the brand. Constraint has been useful. It has forced me to edit, to focus, and to become very clear about where energy goes. I have learnt that building something enduring often requires saying no more often than saying yes.

 

4. Our industry is 77% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?

There has been progress, but not enough. Fashion depends heavily on female labour, taste and spending power, yet leadership and capital still do not flow back to women proportionately. That is certainly visible in Australia.

If we want to change the statistic, we need to address the conditions underneath it: better access to capital, more pathways into senior commercial and operational roles, greater flexibility around caregiving, and more intentional sponsorship of women. We also need to value a broader range of leadership styles, rather than rewarding only traditional models of power.

 

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?

Start by becoming very good at one thing, or developing one clear point of view, then keep going. Protect your standards and do not rush.

It is very easy in fashion to become reactive and to confuse movement with progress. But the people who build lasting work usually know what they stand for. Your taste, judgement and consistency matter more than trying to please everyone at once.

And finally, do not wait for someone else to legitimise your ambition. If you have a clear vision, begin.

Find out more about Eupheme here.

 

Finally, we sit down with Lisa Lake, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, on nearly two decades of driving sustainable change in Australian fashion.

 

International Women's Day Edition of Future Makers: Katie Louise & Lilian-Nicol, Fashion Designers of Nicol & Ford

International Women's Day is here, and we're kicking off the celebration with a special edition of our Future Maker Series. 

First up are Katie Louise and Lilian Nicol-Ford, the creative duo behind Nicol & Ford, a design practice built on storytelling, cultural authenticity and craft. Read on to hear about their journey and what drives them to create with purpose.


1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey? Was there a pivotal moment that led you to where you are today?

Katie‑Louise
I studied across both fashion and costume, and for a long time I felt like I didn’t quite fit neatly into either world. Fashion felt too commercially driven, and costume felt too contained. I was always sitting somewhere in between, trying to work out where I belonged.

The turning point was realising that being in between was actually the point. The mix of conceptual thinking from costume and the technical and industry knowledge from fashion gave me a really unique skill set. Once I stopped trying to choose one path and instead started applying both, it opened up an entirely new way of working and ultimately led to Nicol & Ford.

Lilian Nicol‑Ford
My background is very much rooted in research, I studied art history and theory at University and have a strong interest in social history. I’ve always been fascinated by how people tell stories about themselves through objects, images and dress.

That research mindset really shapes everything we do at Nicol & Ford. Fashion, for me, isn’t about trends. It’s about narrative, memory and identity. My pathway into the industry was less traditional, but it’s exactly what allowed us to build a practice that’s deeply story‑led and culturally grounded.

 

2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?

Katie‑Louise
Honestly, one of my biggest influences is my wife, Lilian. Building a business together means constantly learning how to communicate, trust and grow alongside someone else. Creatively, I’ve always looked to Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson, true trailblazers of Australian design who carved out space by being unapologetically themselves. More recently, Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett of Romance Was Born have been huge inspirations. Their ability to tell stories and both celebrate and challenge notions of Australian identity through couture‑level technique is unmatched in Australia, and they’ve shown that you can lead with creativity and depth without compromise.

Lilian Nicol‑Ford
I was fortunate to work for Gallerist, Collector and Philanthropist Dr Gene Sherman AM for six years. For me, Gene modelled what an uncompromising vision really took, and taught me to trust in myself even when others can’t see the vision.

Beyond that, my parents have run a small business together for over 20 years. Watching them build something side‑by‑side — through challenges, change and shared purpose — deeply shaped how I think about leadership, partnership and longevity. It also gave me a blueprint for working with your life partner toward a common goal.

 

3.What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?

Katie‑Louise
One of the biggest pressures we’ve faced is the push to commercialise too quickly and the fear of losing creative integrity in the process. In 2022, when we first showed at Australian Fashion Week, we made a really conscious decision to step back and reassess. Instead of chasing immediate commercial outcomes, we refocused on conceptual and technical design - on the stories we actually wanted to tell. That period was about laying strong foundations, knowing that commercialisation can come later, but integrity has to come first.

Lilian Nicol‑Ford
As one of the very few visible trans women in Australia’s fashion industry, I am incredibly proud that our work through Nicol & Ford has given me the space to embrace that path openly.

Fashion has been a powerful tool for me to step into my authentic self. Carving out space for our community, clothing my own and others diverse bodies, and personally physically changing before our audiences’ eyes has reinforced why representation and storytelling matter so much.

 

4. Our industry is 77% female, yet this isn’t reflected at executive level. Do you think the Australian fashion industry has evolved in its support of women leaders?

Katie‑Louise
There’s no denying the executive level is still heavily skewed towards male CEOs. That said, I think it’s also important to acknowledge the women who came before us — Carla Zampatti AC, Linda Jackson AO, Jenny Kee AO, Vivienne Chan‑Shaw and so many others. They didn’t just lead businesses, they built identities grounded in authenticity, style and cultural confidence. Their leadership created space for designers like us to exist today, and that legacy shouldn’t be overlooked when we talk about progress.

Lilian Nicol‑Ford
While we absolutely need more women in executive leadership, I think we also need to broaden the conversation. True equity means inviting diverse perspectives across race, gender identity, lived experience and specialisation. At this pivotal moment of change in our industry, empowerment shouldn’t be about replacing one narrow leadership group with another. It should be about creating room for many voices and ensuring that uplifting women doesn’t come at the exclusion of others.

 

5. What’s one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?

Katie‑Louise
Study. Study. Study. Education is powerful, and it compounds over time. It took me about 15 years before I was recognised in any meaningful way within the industry, and that’s okay. Be patient, keep learning, and trust that the work will catch up to you.

Lilian Nicol‑Ford
Find incredible people who share your passion and want to come along for the ride. Trust that others will often know more than you in certain areas and don’t shut out different perspectives. And most importantly, don’t do it alone. Find someone to build with.

Find out more about Nicol & Ford here.

 

Next, we hear from Ashlee Booth, co-founder of Eupheme, on building a womenswear brand rooted in purpose and a distinctly Australian vision.

 

 

Media Release: AFC Announces The Museum of Contemporary Art as the New Home of Australian Fashion Week 2026

Sydney [19 February 2026] The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) in partnership with Strategic Partner Destination NSW today announced the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) as the central hub for AFC Australian Fashion Week (AFW) 2026, marking a bold new chapter for the country’s premier fashion event.

Taking place 11–15 May 2026, AFW will return as a city-wide platform anchored at the MCA and supported by satellite activations across Sydney designed to elevate Australian fashion globally while strengthening its cultural and commercial impact.

The MCA will host a purpose-built runway and presentation environment, industry talks and cultural programming, media and buyer facilities, and curated brand activations — positioning AFW at the intersection of fashion, art and contemporary culture.

AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic said the move signals a defining evolution for Australian Fashion Week.

“Bringing Australian Fashion Week to the Museum of Contemporary Art marks an exciting new chapter for the event and for Australian fashion more broadly. The MCA provides an iconic Sydney backdrop that reflects the creativity, cultural relevance and global outlook of our designers, while enabling a more open, connected and internationally compelling format.”

“AFW 2026 is designed not just as a runway schedule, but as a national industry platform and a cultural moment for the city.”

MCA Director, Suzanne Cotter, said: “Contemporary art and fashion go hand in hand. There is a long history of artists and designers working together to create memorable works of fashion and art. The MCA’s iconic location and spaces, along with its Collection dedicated to the work of living Australian artists, make it a perfect canvas for designers to show their collections for Australian Fashion Week.”

MCA Chair, Lorraine Tarabay says: “The MCA could not be more delighted with this new partnership with Australian Fashion Week to showcase the best of Australian talent against the backdrop of contemporary art and the city itself.”

AFW 2026 will feature runway shows from established, emerging and First Nations designers, alongside a dedicated graduate runway celebrating the next generation of Australian design talent. Beyond the runways, AFC will host designer talks, experiences and other special events. Together, these elements strengthen AFW’s role as a national industry platform and a vibrant cultural event for all Australians.

AFW provides critical commercial opportunities to drive business growth for designers and brands and offers an invaluable platform for designers to showcase their collections to leading international media and buyers.

Building on the success of the 2025 event, AFW 2026 will be delivered under the AFC’s dedicated subsidiary, AFC Fashion Events (AFC FE), established to provide a strengthened governance, leadership and delivery model that reflects the scale, ambition and national importance of Australia’s fashion industry.

AFW is overseen by an experienced Executive Board comprising Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the Australian Fashion Council and AFC Fashion Events; Professor Robyn Healy, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Learning, Teaching and Quality, DSC at RMIT University; Alex Schuman, CEO of Carla Zampatti; Renuka Kimber, Co-founder of Christian Kimber; Bridget Veals, Executive General Manager, Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories at David Jones; and Adrian Norris, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Aje.

In addition to the Board, the AFC is pleased to confirm the return of Kellie Hush as Fashion Director for AFW, overseeing designer and industry relations.

AFW is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “As the nation’s fashion capital this is exactly the kind of bold, iconic experience we want to see in Sydney – there is no better example of our city’s unique combination of natural wonder and cultural vibrancy than Fashion Week on the harbour, at one of our most recognisable cultural institutions. The NSW Government is proud to partner with the Australian Fashion Council to deliver Australian Fashion Week 2026 at the MCA and across the city, showcasing Sydney as a world-leading destination for fashion, creativity and cultural experiences.”

In addition to Destination NSW, AFW is made possible through the support of Partners Create NSW, City of Sydney, Afterpay, Canon, DHL, eBay, Hisense and Nivea.

Visit australianfashionweek.org and follow @afcaustralianfashionweek for more.

Please see imagery here.

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ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.

ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK:
Australian Fashion Week (AFW) in Sydney is the country’s premier platform for showcasing Australian fashion to global audiences and, since 1996, has played a critical role in launching and sustaining some of Australia’s most recognisable fashion brands. The event presents leading Australian designers to domestic and international buyers, facilitating trade and export opportunities while fostering meaningful connections across designers, retailers, media and industry leaders. Focused on delivering tangible outcomes for the Australian fashion and textile ecosystem, AFW elevates local talent, drives dialogue on the future of fashion, and positions Australia as a global leader in fashion, creativity and innovation. Since 2025, AFW has been part of AFC Fashion Events, a subsidiary of the Australian Fashion Council.

For further information contact:
Nikki Andrews
NAC Media Group
nikki@nacmedia-group.com  +61 412 647 980

Mitchell Harcourt
NAC Media Group
mitchell@nacmedia-group.com +61 421 197 114

Future Makers: Tara Moses, Chief Operating Officer of R.M.Williams

From discovering her passion for manufacturing at just 12 years old to over 25 years in leadership, Tara Moses, COO of R.M.Williams, has built a career grounded in impact, resilience, and innovation. She reflects on the experiences, pivotal career moments, and mentors who have shaped her approach, and shares the lessons that continue to guide her leadership in the evolving Australian fashion and textiles industry.

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey?
I started my career journey when I was 12 years old and went to a "Women in Science and Engineering" Event at the University. I remember clearly listening to the woman explaining her job as an Industrial Engineer. I loved that she was helping to make factories better for the workers through ergonomics and efficiency. I was hooked from then on with manufacturing!

2. Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?
There are so many pivotal moments and they generally solidify in job changes within an organisation and moving from one company to another. I have been driven by making things better, by capitalising on the potential in any space.

3. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?
One influential mentor for me was a Chief Marketing Officer, Mary. I was able to observe her in many executive meetings and ask her questions on her mindset and approach. One particular thing resonates with me today. I noticed she was always engaged in the topics regardless if marketing was impacted or involved.

She asked curious questions and was genuinely interested. I told her this observation in one of our sessions and she said "Tara, I hold a "C-Level" position and that is my job to know, learn and engage in all aspects of the business and I feel everyday that I'm doing that". It was and is a good example of a great leader.

4. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?
I am grateful that I've had over 25 years of experience to know that my biggest challenges and barriers have come from my own internal limitations and expectations of myself and others. I have at times not seen my gifts and stayed small, I have not communicated clearly and created tensions for myself and others.

5. Our industry is 77% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?
At R.M.Williams,  67% of the executive leadership is female and I'm so honoured to be a part of this diverse group. I have seen and experienced outside of R.M. amazing female leaders and executives. Australia is not lacking in fantastic female leaders! We all need to support, encourage, seek out, and promote female leaders. In a fashion industry where most employees are female and most customers are also female the more women that are at the table, the better.

6. What's one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?
My advice, the thing I whisper to my younger self, is to build strength. The strength needed to be out in front where the wind hits hard, the strength to make the tough decisions, the strength to realise you might be causing the problem, the strength to have the hard conversations, the strength to speak up, the strength to think BIG, and the strength to carry forward no matter what. 

 

Find more about R.M.Williams here

 

Looking Ahead: Key Insights for PR and Marketing in 2026 with Gum Agency, Co-Founder Mia Hardman

We asked Mia Hardman, the co-founder of creative communications agency, Gum to share her insights on what’s next for PR and marketing in 2026.

With the current landscape with AI & technology & shifting audience expectations. We wanted to hear her perspective on how brands can stay intentional, relevant, and effective in the year ahead.

 

Mia Hardman, Co-Founder, Gum

I am honoured that AFC invited me to share my perspective on what I think will shape the industry next year. It is hard to ignore just how much the landscape has changed for both brand and agency alike. Between advancements in AI and technology, ever mounting environmental and political pressures, and an algorithm that has completely flattened culture, we are all now operating in a far more condensed environment. 

As I began writing this piece, what really stood out to me was a unifying theme for 2026: intention and course correction. The brands that will win next year won’t be the ones that are doing more, they will be the ones with a bulletproof strategy that they execute with extreme precision. 

So with that, my top 5 predictions…


1. Integration will be key
Traditionally, marketing and PR have operated separately - different teams, goals, objectives and campaigns. Now thanks to shrinking media pools, competitive social landscape and tighter budgets the lines have started to blur and we are witnessing a shift to paid, earned and owned operating within the same ecosystem.

This excites me, as I believe this level of integration is vital to modern brand building. Customers are no longer experiencing your brand in just one place - every touch point for the brand from the physical product or service, to socials, EDMs, influencers or brand partners you work with, the media you show up in, and your ads all influence a customer's decision to shop with you (or not). 

But for any type of integration to work, you first need to have a clear strategy. You have to know and set the direction you are going, and equally understand the roles that each function plays in getting you to this destination.

Strategy doesn’t need to be complex, you just need to have the answers to these questions:

Brand, comms & marketing may be intertwined, but they each play a different part in the overall strategy. Brand should set the what & why, comms leads the right customers through awareness, credibility and desire, and marketing turns that attention into action. 

Without a strategy, you run the risk of wasted money and underperforming campaigns not because the tactics were wrong but because the direction was unclear. 

The most successful campaigns in 2026 will be the ones that are deeply integrated and with a clear strategy, getting the very best from both marketing and communications to ensure resonance with their audience. 


2. Visibility will no longer be enough

In the race of excess reach, clicks, engagement, brands have been under pressure to constantly churn out new content, new talent, new products, new news. The amount of content that consumers are faced with has meant that it is all blurring together and leaving a complete sense of overwhelm. A friend of mine once likened scrolling her social media feeds like watching TV where only the ads play. 

And because of that, audiences have learned how to tune out.

In Deloitte's recent Media & Entertainment Consumer Insights Report, overall media consumption trended downwards for the third year in a row. It is now sitting at 42 hours per week (compared to 44 hours in 2024, and 48 hours in 2023) with social media in particular taking a massive hit, declining by -17%. This is telling us that audiences are becoming more intentional and curated when it comes to what content they are engaging with, and that quality matters. 

My prediction for next year is a forced shift towards restraint. To go beyond just visibility and vanity reach, and a return to aligned storytelling with purpose. Less noise, fewer campaigns but a far higher quality output and better results for brands. 


3. You won’t find inspiration in the algorithm

I recently read about someone's take on the ‘Canva-fication’ of design - something I have been thinking about a lot, but now I have a name for it. Tools like Canva, Pinterest, Chat GPT and the growing suite of AI programs out there have completely democratised creation. 

Don’t get me wrong I think this level of innovation can be amazing, but the issue lies when it is used as a substitute for individual creativity instead of enhancing it. What’s more, it has birthed a new challenge: living in a sea of sameness. 

I touched on it above, how audiences are automatically checking-out of content they see, the antidote for this is originality, or at the very least a point of view. Part of this is making sure you are sourcing inspiration from places that others may not be, so you do not fall victim to the algorithm who is probably serving you and a million other people the same ideas. Second hand book stores, old print magazines, art, film, even switching up your normal commute can offer up inspiration for new ideas. 

Furthermore, I predict that we will see authentic creatives, designers, artists and writers… even strategists who are not afraid to create and challenge ideas to reclaim space. AI can mimic, but it will never be able to replicate the physical and very real emotions, relationships and experiences that make us human. 

 

4. Social anonymity becomes cool 

As audiences continue to battle the feelings of being overwhelmed with content and the digital world, I have been observing a quiet rejection of being ‘known’. 

There is something incredibly mysterious and compelling when you meet someone who doesn’t have social media. Even the New Yorker noted this shift in a recent piece ‘It’s Cool To Have No Followers Now’ pointing to a certain status that comes with opting out of the usual markers of success online.

For brands, this idea does create some tension. Typically, a brand's ability to build a community on social media is tied closely to profitability and success. What I find most interesting about this is that I don’t think it means disappearing entirely, obviously social media is a huge revenue driver for many brands (more on that in the point below) but what brands can take from this is an opportunity to show up in more considered and deliberate ways. 

Think of this as an invitation to grow communities the old-fashion way: in person. You could take it one step further and encourage each guest to stay present by making it a phone-free event that will exist as memories purely for those in that room. Or it could be a renewed focus on the craft; working with individuals that have deep relevance with their communities as opposed to 6 figure followings, impeccable long-form writing in the form of newsletters, embracing a little friction in discovering. 

This is an exciting time for brands at any stage, as it means relevance is increasingly earned in rooms, not solely on our feeds. 


5. The new rules for ads 

Your ads aren’t ‘not’ working. It is your awareness and probably your content. 

I kicked this article off by talking about how brand, comms and marketing have converged, so it felt important to have ads firmly a part of this conversation. 

Many of the e-comm giants we know today scaled up in the era where ads worked regardless of whether the creative was good, the website was optimised or the product branding was good. That era is now over. 

Ads work. They absolutely do. But they don’t do the heavy lifting on their own. Their role is to amplify, not to compensate or be treated as the sole driver for sales. 

If you don’t have strategy, taste, community or any type of relevance, your ads are going to expose you. Ads are there to scale demand, not create it. 

2026 will be the year of thoughtful and intentional ads creative, and treating ads with the same level of respect that you would a campaign. 

 

AFC MEMBER OFFER
As an exclusive benefit for AFC members, Gum is offering a Discovery Call with Mia Hardman - a 30 minute call designed to help AFC members assess where their brand or business currently sits from a communications and relevance perspective. 

The aim of the call is to understand the current business problem or challenge and what has been done to date. 

Following the call, members will receive a relevance audit that will give brand founders and marketing/comms teams clarity around any current misalignments, and outline what would be a priority from a communications standpoint.

To access your member offer, click the link here. Available for a limited time.

 

Jobs & Careers in the Australian Fashion & Textile Industry: November

Ready to elevate your career in Australia’s fashion and creative industries?

Discover exciting roles, unlock new opportunities, and take your next bold step forward.

Brigid Mclaughlin - Sales, Visual Communications And Digital Marketing Manager - NSW
Apply Here.

Viktoria & Woods - Graphic Designer - VIC
Apply Here.

R.M. Williams  - Customer Experience Ambassador - NSW
Apply Here.

Acler - Wholesale Coordinator - SA
Apply Here.

Lorna Jane - Product & Styling Specialist - QLD
Apply Here.

Future Makers: Bianca Spender, Founder & Creative Director of Bianca Spender

Bianca Spender’s name is synonymous with considered design, creative integrity, and leadership that inspires. From her early days honing her craft at Carla Zampatti’s studio to launching her own eponymous label, Bianca has carved a path defined by purpose, courage, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

As this month’s Future Maker, Bianca shares the moments that shaped her journey, the challenges that strengthened her resolve, and the insights that guide her as a designer, founder, and advocate for women in leadership.

 

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey? Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?
I grew up surrounded by creativity, so entering the industry felt like a natural extension of my world. My first formal step was working within Carla Zampatti’s business for many years, learning the foundations of craft, process, and the realities of running a fashion company. The pivotal moment for me was deciding to build my own label. It was both a creative calling and an act of independence. I wanted to articulate a point of view that felt deeply personal. Taking that leap, and backing myself to shape a brand defined by integrity and considered design, set the course for where I am today.

 

2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?
I’ve had the privilege of learning from remarkable women throughout my life. My mother showed me what it means to lead with conviction while staying open, curious, and human. She never taught leadership in a formal sense. It was something I absorbed from watching her navigate complexity with grace. I’ve also been influenced by peers and collaborators across the industry who challenge traditional ways of working. Their perspectives have shaped my desire to lead through collaboration, clarity, and purpose. Ultimately, my leadership style has evolved from observing people who create space for others to thrive.

 

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?
Balancing creativity with commercial realities is always an ongoing challenge. As a designer, your instinct is to push boundaries, but as a founder you must make decisions that ensure longevity. I had to learn how to honour both and how to protect the integrity of the design process while building a resilient business. I overcame this by surrounding myself with a strong team and trusting in collaboration. The more I leaned into communication and transparency, the more sustainable our growth became. It’s a continual practice, but it has strengthened the brand and my perspective as a leader.

 

4. Our industry is 76% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?
The industry has absolutely evolved, but there is still meaningful progress to be made. Fashion is built on the contributions of women at every level, yet the structures that determine leadership and financial decision-making don’t always reflect that reality. We can shift this by championing transparency around pay, advancement pathways, and governance, and by ensuring women have access to the capital, resources, and mentorship required to scale businesses. As leaders, we also need to model flexibility and inclusivity in how we work. Creating environments where diverse voices are not only present but genuinely influential is essential to closing that gap.

 

5. What's one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?
Stay anchored in your purpose. Trends change, the industry moves quickly, and the pressure can be immense but if your work is grounded in an authentic point of view, it will carry you. “Be curious, be resilient, and surround yourself with people who challenge and elevate you. And remember that building a brand or a career is a long game. Progress is rarely linear, but every step, whether creative or challenging, becomes part of your narrative as a designer.”

 

Find more about Bianca Spender here

Notice of 2025 Annual General Meeting - Australian Fashion Council (AFC)

Official Notice of AGM

Australian Fashion Council (AFC) 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) 

Notice is hereby given that the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) will hold its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) online on Thursday, 11th December 2025 at 1:00pm AEDT.

The Board has determined the meeting will be conducted via Zoom webinar, with live voting on the resolutions facilitated by TrueVote. Members unable to attend may vote by proxy, with forms required to be submitted no later than 1:00pm Wednesday, 10th December 2025 (24 hours prior to the meeting).

The AFC Board encourages all members to attend and participate in this year’s meeting, which will provide an opportunity to:

Questions to the Board are welcome during the webinar session or in advance via info@ausfashioncouncil.com.

Please see full details about the AFC AGM, registration information, AGM support materials and briefing sessions below.
AGM Information
Date: Thursday, 11th December 2025
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm AEDT
Format: Virtual webinar via Zoom. Live voting facilitated by TrueVote. Voting by proxy is permitted.

AGM Registration
Members are encouraged to register in advance by Tuesday, 9th December 2025, however, registrations will remain open until the start of the AGM.
REGISTER HERE

Once you register, you will receive a Zoom calendar invitation with the Zoom link.

AFC AGM | Business of the Meeting

  1. Executive Chair Report 
  2. AFC FY25 Financial Report
  3. Ordinary Resolution: Re-election of Board Directors
    • Bridget Veals
    • Renuka Kimber
  4. Special Resolution: Adoption of a new Constitution
  5. Close of Meeting 


Voting & Proxies

 

AGM Support Materials
We encourage all members to review the following attached documents ahead of the AGM:

 

Member Information Sessions
To support members’ understanding of the proposed Constitution and voting process, we will host two short online Information Session as per the below schedule.

Please register for your preferred session using the links below.  As each session will cover the same content, attendance at one session only is required. Once registered, you will receive a Zoom calendar invitation with full access details. 

If you have any questions or issues regarding registration, proxy voting or understanding of materials, please contact us at info@ausfashioncouncil.com.

We look forward to your participation.

Australia’s Largest Apparel and Textiles Sourcing Event Returns to Melbourne

The China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo (CCTAE) is back at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 18–20 November 2025, marking 25 years of connecting Australian brands with leading international manufacturers. 

Now in its 25th year, CCTAE continues to be a cornerstone event for designers, sourcing specialists, and production teams seeking reliable, scalable, and sustainable partnerships. This year, the Expo will feature over 490 exhibitors from China across 516 booths, with 40% participating in Australia for the first time.

Co-located with the Global Sourcing Expo, CCTAE forms Australia’s largest international sourcing event, giving attendees access to more than 800 suppliers from over 15 countries and regions with a single free registration

Event Details
When: Tuesday 18 – Thursday 20 November 2025
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
REGISTER HERE

 

Here’s why you should mark your calendar:

1. Access the Industry’s Biggest Global Sourcing Hub

CCTAE 2025 brings over 490 Chinese exhibitors across 516 booths, with 40% showcasing in Australia for the first time. Co-located with the Global Sourcing Expo, the event gives attendees access to more than 800 exhibitors and 900 booths in a single registration. 

Suppliers from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong Provinces will showcase everything from apparel production to accessories and trims—all in one place.

 

2. Discover the Latest in Innovation and Sustainability

The fashion and textile industries are evolving fast, and CCTAE keeps you ahead. Explore:

 

3. Strengthen Your Sourcing Strategy

For brands, retailers, and production teams, this is more than a trade show. CCTAE is a strategic platform to meet suppliers face-to-face, evaluate capabilities, and discover new materials and technologies, all without leaving Melbourne.

Key Industry Exhibitors

Notable participants include:

4. Strengthen Your Sourcing Strategy

Running alongside the Expo is the Global Sourcing Seminar Series, featuring daily talks from industry experts on Future-Ready Strategies, AI, sustainability, and digital commerce. Highlights include:

 

4. Free Access to All Visitors

Attendance at CCTAE is completely free, with registration required to secure entry. The event welcomes all professionals, buyers, and industry stakeholders to explore the full breadth of international suppliers and innovations.

 

Register to attend for free HERE.
For more information: www.chinatextiles.com.au

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with leading global suppliers, explore the latest innovations, and strengthen your sourcing strategy at CCTAE 2025.

Future Makers: Juanita Page, Co-founder of Joseph & James

Meet Juanita Page, the creative force behind JOSEPH & JAMES and one of Australia’s most exciting emerging voices in menswear. With a keen eye for storytelling and a deep connection to her First Nations heritage, Juanita is transforming menswear into a space where identity, culture, and self-expression intersect.

Her work challenges conventions, blends tradition with contemporary design, and invites men to wear garments that carry meaning, purpose, and care. In this edition of Future Makers, we explore how curiosity, resilience, and vision have shaped her remarkable journey.

 

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey? Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?

Starting out as an intern in a design agency while studying, I didn’t set out to design menswear because I saw a gap in the market, though there is one. I was drawn to it because it felt like an open field. So much of Australian fashion is defined through womenswear, it’s where most of the attention, investment, and cultural weight lives. Menswear, by contrast, felt like a blank canvas, a space where I could explore ideas without the noise of what’s already been done. As a First Nations designer, I’ve always been interested in how clothing can hold identity - not just personal, but cultural and in Australian menswear, that conversation is still in its early stages. JOSEPH & JAMES grew from that curiosity to see what happens when we look inward, when men are invited to express themselves through garments that still feel grounded, but carry a sense of story and care.

 

 2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?

I don’t necessarily see myself as a leader, JOSEPH & JAMES is just me and my partner, Ashford, so in many ways we’re only leading ourselves. But from an industry perspective, I can see how my work might contribute to leadership in a different sense, by helping shape the conversation around what a First Nations voice in menswear can look like. I take pride in showing that mob are not a monolith when it comes to cultural storytelling through fashion, and that our stories can be expressed through a contemporary lens with depth, care, and nuance.

My family has been central to that. I’m able to lead in this way because they showed me how through example rather than instruction. From them, I learned that leadership isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about how you hold space for others, listen deeply, and move with integrity. In the industry, I’ve also been inspired by creatives who’ve built their own paths while staying grounded in their values, people who lead with authenticity rather than ego. That’s the kind of example I try to follow.

 

 3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?

Sustaining an independent label in Australia is incredibly challenging, particularly balancing creativity with financial realities. For me, one of the biggest hurdles has been breaking into local retail. When we reach out, the responses are often warm but cautious. Many buyers are looking for brands with established international followings or instantly recognisable aesthetics. It’s understandable, especially in a small market, but it creates a cycle that’s hard to break: you need visibility to get stocked, but often you need to be stocked to gain visibility.

To me, that doesn’t suggest a lack of interest in menswear, it highlights that the support systems around it are still developing. The infrastructure just isn’t quite there yet, and that can make the journey feel isolating at times. Whenever it starts to feel impossible, I reach out to my community and remind myself why I began: to tell stories that feel real and to build something with heart. Learning to adapt, ask for help, and embrace slower, more sustainable growth has been key to continuing and evolving.

 

4. Our industry is 76% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?

There’s been progress, but not enough. The Australian fashion industry is full of incredibly talented women, yet structural barriers - economic, cultural, and systemic still limit who gets to lead, be visible, and make decisions. Equity has to be part of the conversation if we’re serious about change. That means asking where it starts, does it begin at the top? Because if the same people keep rotating through executive positions, the system can’t evolve. When men continue to hold the majority of roles with real power, when will women and especially women of colour get an equitable chance to lead and thrive?

I’ve always believed that diversity breeds creativity. When people with different lived experiences come together, it changes how we think, strategise, and create. It allows us to move forward in ways that are more measured, inclusive, and holistic. True progress will come when our industry values that not as a quota to fill, but as the foundation for stronger, more imaginative leadership.

 

5. What's one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?

Honestly, my first piece of advice would be: don’t do it, invest your money elsewhere! Haha. It’s a tough industry that can feel incredibly isolating at times. But if you can’t help yourself, if fashion is something you truly love and can’t seem to let go of, even with all its heartaches then make sure you build a strong community around you. Surround yourself with people who understand what it’s like to tough it out, especially within the local market. That support will be invaluable.

Before starting your own thing, learn as much as you can from people who’ve done it before. It saves you from learning every lesson the hard way while you’re still trying to build, and it opens you up to the networks and relationships that will become pivotal in your journey. And above all, stay grounded in your purpose; there's no glory in a grind that wears you down to dust. Lead with care and integrity, and the right opportunities will find their way to you.

 

 Find more about Joseph James here.

 

The Innovators 2025: Introducing The Next Garde

Continuing its legacy as a launchpad for emerging talent, The Innovators returned in 2025 as a showcase of exceptional creativity, craftsmanship and the next generation of Australian fashion visionaries.

This year marked the official launch of The Next Garde, a new incubator designed to propel FDS graduates into the global fashion arena. Building on The Innovators’ proud history, The Next Garde delivers tailored mentoring from industry collaborators in financial management, media training, local manufacturing and entrepreneurial skills. The program supports emerging designers to establish and grow their fashion businesses within The Innovators collective.

With support from Wacom and CLO3D, participants will also gain access to cutting-edge technology that encourages sustainable and innovative design practices.

For the first time, The Innovators will debut a dedicated online store, giving buyers and the public the opportunity to purchase directly from this year’s emerging designers.

 

MEET THE DESIGNERS
Shiva Yousefpour | SHIYO

A graduate of the Fashion Design Studio (FDS), Shiva Yousefpour brings a unique vision that merges cultural heritage with avant-garde innovation. Her label SHIYO sits at the intersection of architecture, art and sustainability, fusing Persian opulence and Japanese craftsmanship into sculptural, zero-waste garments that are both expressive and responsible.

Each piece reflects a philosophy where tradition meets futurism, redefining contemporary fashion through intricate folding techniques, experimental materials and gender-neutral silhouettes. SHIYO has been featured in leading fashion publications and worn by notable figures including Danielle Spencer.

@shiyo_label

 

Eidan Monks | EIDAN CEILIDH

EIDAN CEILIDH is a luxury Australian label by Eidan Monks, blending timeless elegance with contemporary sophistication. Each piece reflects a dedication to comfort, quality and craftsmanship, balancing traditional tailoring with modern refinement.

Defined by meticulous handwork and exclusive textures, the brand champions enduring design that transcends trends.

@eidanceilidh_

 

Daisy-Rose Cooper | Sleight of Hand (SOH)
Blue Mountains-based designer Daisy-Rose Cooper explores the possibilities of sustainable fashion through her label Sleight of Hand (SOH). Her work merges urban minimalism with natural processes, using hand-dyeing, felting and deadstock fabrics to create one-of-a-kind textures and tones.

Her garments reflect a shifting connection between people, culture and environment, each piece infused with timelessness and meaning. Featured in Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue Australia’s Vanguard Issue, Daisy-Rose continues to push the boundaries of craft through cross-disciplinary collaboration and experimentation.

 @soh.label

 

Emily Misaki Hon | FRAGMENT.66
Sydney-born designer Emily Misaki Hon, founder of FRAGMENT.66, draws on her Japanese and Chinese heritage to weave personal storytelling into contemporary menswear. Her collections explore identity and memory through delicate layering, expressive silhouettes and hand-crafted textile treatments.

Blending street style with refined tailoring, FRAGMENT.66 is both introspective and poetic, a study of how garments hold emotion and history. Each design is consciously produced using natural fibres, deadstock materials and eco-dyeing techniques.

@fra66ment

 

The Innovators: The Next Garde is more than a showcase. It is a statement of what is next for Australian fashion: bold, sustainable and boundary-pushing.

Learn more about the program here.

Melbourne Member Forum 2025

The AFC Melbourne Member Forum brought together designers, founders and industry leaders to tackle one question: How do you future-proof a fashion business? The room was full of energy, ideas and conversations that matter.

A special thank you goes to our incredible guest speakers:

Their candid and honest reflections on leadership and business growth sparked an engaging discussion that left attendees inspired.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SPEAKERS 

 

 

A special thanks to Afterpay for hosting the forum. We look forward to welcoming you to our next event and continuing the conversation on building a stronger, more resilient fashion industry.

Occupation Shortage Skills Survey Highlights Critical Gaps in Fashion and Textile Workforce

Earlier this month, we surveyed a sample of brands and manufacturers for the Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List

We had a total of 32 brands and manufacturers respond on how skills shortages are impacting their business. Many businesses reported ongoing difficulty in finding qualified applicants for roles such as sewing machinists, patternmakers and senior executives. Critically, some positions have remained vacant for nearly a decade, highlighting the long-term impact of underinvestment in training and education. Full results below:

 

Feedback from survey respondents

“We’ve been searching for experienced sample sewing machinists and fabric cutters with over 10 years of experience but have struggled to find even candidates with 5 years' experience. We haven’t successfully filled these roles since 2016, highlighting a serious gap in the workforce.”

“There is a major lack of manufacturing training in Australia, preventing the transfer of current knowledge and hands-on skills to the next generation. Without proper training, we risk losing the capability to manufacture locally and will become increasingly reliant on offshore production.”

“We need more VET (Vocational Education and Training) programs focused on patternmaking and sewing, with strong on-the-job components like internships. Currently, bachelor programs do not produce skilled patternmakers or sample machinists and if we’re not careful about the courses we offer, these vital skills could disappear.”

Where to from here?

We used these findings to advocate for our sector by contributing them to Jobs and Skills Occupation Shortage Analysis. We ran our own survey to ensure the fashion and textile industry was accurately represented, as it’s often underrepresented in broader government research.

Looking ahead, these insights will also inform AFC’s ongoing policy work and future skills development initiatives.

The Art of PR Webinar: How to Stay Visible, Relevant and Impactful

You’re invited to our upcoming webinar, The Art of PR: How to Stay Visible, Relevant and Impactful.

In a crowded, content-saturated and fast-moving world, the products you sell aren't always enough - it's how you connect with your customers that truly matters. 

At the heart of creating connections is PR. The media landscape has changed, making way for social platforms and ever-evolving algorithms, making the fundamental principles more important than ever. 

Join us for a deep dive into what purposeful, effective PR looks like today, with creative communications agency, Gum. 

You’ll also hear from a panel of PR experts and in-house teams, sharing strategies behind strong storytelling, turning your customers into loyalists, and the long game of brand reputation.

WHEN: 4PM - 5PM, 22nd July 2025
WHERE: Online, via Zoom
TICKETS: Free for AFC Members / $50 + booking fee for Non-Members

In this webinar we will explore:

Join us for an insightful conversation that will equip you with the tools to tell your brand’s story with impact.

REGISTER HERE

Jobs & Careers in the Australian Fashion & Textile Industry: July

Ready for your next move? Discover new opportunities, exciting roles, and fresh career paths across the fashion and textiles industry.

THE ICONIC: Planning Manager - NSW
Apply Here.

Country Road: Loyalty Coordinator (Acquisition and Partnerships) - NSW
Apply Here.

Zimmermann: Omnichannel Stock Coordinator - VIC
Apply Here.

Gammin Threads: Casual Customisation Workshop Assistant - VIC
Apply Here.

Sylvia P: Fashion Production Assistant  - QLD
Apply Here.

New Default Energy Rates Announced: How to Stay Ahead of FY26 Price Changes with Choice Energy

The end of the 24/25FY is here, which means energy prices are set to increase and could have a direct impact on your operational costs.

From July 1, 2025, for businesses in Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, and August 1, 2025, for those in Victoria and Tasmania, new energy Default Market Offers (DMO) and Victorian Default Offers (VDO) will come into effect.

While these "default offers" act as a safety net, capping prices for businesses on standard retail plans, they often don't represent the most competitive rates available. The announced changes highlight a mixed outlook, with some regions facing significant price adjustments.

 

What's Changing and Why It Matters:

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Victoria's Essential Services Commission (ESC) have finalised their default offer determinations for the 2025-26 financial year. Factors like wholesale energy costs, network charges, and evolving market dynamics drive these changes.

These default rates are indicative; many energy retailers are also adjusting their market offers. This means that even if your default offer sees a smaller increase, a better deal could be waiting in the market.

 

Your Proactive Energy Strategy: Two Essential Steps

Every dollar saved is a dollar reinvested into your business. Proactively managing your energy costs is no longer optional – it's essential.

  1. Review Against FY26 Offers: Choice Energy is already equipped with the latest FY26 energy offers from various retailers. This is your immediate opportunity to compare your current FY25 pricing against these new market offers. Don't assume your existing plan is still competitive; a tailored market offer could unlock significant savings.
  2. Conduct a Network Tariff Assessment: This is often the most overlooked and impactful area for savings. Your network tariff is the charge for using the poles, wires, and infrastructure that delivers electricity to your premises, and it can account for over 60% of your total energy bill. These charges are set by your electricity distributor and are based on your usage patterns. If your business has evolved – perhaps with new machinery, altered operating hours, or seasonal shifts – your current network tariff might be costing you unnecessarily.

     A detailed Network Tariff Assessment involves analysing your historical energy usage (ideally 12 months of interval data) to determine if a more cost-effective tariff structure is available. This could mean switching to a time-of-use tariff to leverage off-peak periods or optimising demand charges, which are based on your highest usage spikes. Choice Energy offers free network tariff reviews, working directly with your electricity distributor to manage any necessary changes seamlessly. 

AFC MEMBER OFFER

As an exclusive benefit for AFC members, Choice Energy is offering $1500 cashback when you install a 20kW or larger solar system, plus a complimentary energy bill health check to help reduce your electricity and gas costs.

To access your member offer, click here.

Are you Navigating Supply Chain Uncertainty? The China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo Has the Answers.

With ongoing global supply chain uncertainty and tariff impacts creating both challenges and opportunities, Australian fashion brands are rethinking their strategies to find smarter ways to scale.

The China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo is where brands are going to find what’s next, what works and which partners to collaborate with.  

 

What to Expect:

Returning to ICC Sydney from 17–19 June 2025 and co-located with the Global Sourcing Expo, this event brings together over 450 Chinese manufacturers alongside hundreds of global suppliers. 

Amid U.S. tariffs, logistics disruptions and mounting pressure to diversify supply chains, Chinese suppliers are sharpening their focus on the Australian market. They now offer low minimum order quantities, faster turnaround times, and flexible production models designed for agility and resilience.

“There’s a growing willingness among Chinese manufacturers to collaborate with smaller, agile brands particularly Australian labels known for their design, quality, and innovation,” says Mr. Hong, spokesperson for the event organiser.

Thanks to tariff-free access under the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), these suppliers bring more than reliability; they present strategic opportunities for brands determined to stay competitive in a shifting global market.

 

Why You Can’t Miss This Year’s Expo:

With over 5,000 industry professionals expected to attend, the Expo is also a premier networking platform to exchange ideas, solve sourcing challenges and plan for the future.

 

Industry Seminars & Panels: Education That Moves You

The 2025 Seminar Series, hosted by the Global Sourcing Expo, features leading experts tackling today’s sourcing realities, sustainability, AI marketing, emerging markets, and digital retail trends.

Highlights include:

Seminars are $40 + GST per session. Registration is essential.

 

Stay Ahead in a Changing World

As global sourcing continues to shift, the China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo equips Australian brands with the insights, connections, and strategies needed to adapt and thrive.

Find out more about the Expo here 

Register to attend here

Join the AFC: Member Experience & Operations Coordinator

The Role
This position plays a critical role in supporting all aspects of the AFC’s member value proposition. The Member Experience & Operations Coordinator is responsible for delivering a seamless, high-quality membership experience and ensuring that the AFC has the systems, processes and insights in place to build strong, lasting relationships with its members.

Reporting to the Industry Relations Manager, the Membership Experience & Administration Coordinator is the custodian of all membership-related systems and data. They play a vital operational role in ensuring accurate, timely information flows across the team, enabling the AFC to deliver value at every stage of the membership journey.

Working from the Powerhouse Museum and one day a week from home, your week includes connecting with brands (existing and prospective) and manufacturers about membership, helping members unlock the full value of their benefits, supporting member events (i.e. member forums) and content launches (i.e. toolkits and reports), helping to coordinate AFC presence at key owned and industry events such as AFC Australian Fashion Week, AFC Australian Fashion Conference, Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne Fashion Week.

 

Location & days

Sydney, 5 days per week

 

Roles & Responsibilities
MEMBERSHIP OPERATIONS

MEMBERSHIP ACQUISITION & ENGAGEMENT

MEMBERSHIP CONTENT & PROGRAMMING

 

What we are looking for

 

About the Australian Fashion Council
The AFC is the not-for-profit peak industry body for the Australian fashion & textile industry with members drawn from across the entire fashion and textile ecosystem. Our unique position is in connecting critical stakeholders across an industry that generates $27.2 billion, to effectively champion an innovative, resilient and sustainable legacy. Through collaboration and leadership, we provide resources, support and tools that enable our industry to evolve and thrive.

At the AFC, we champion courageous leadership and purposeful growth; We believe in celebrating creativity and connecting community; We value collaboration, integrity and human-centricity with a maverick spirit. The AFC encourages a culture of collaboration and open communication which empowers, nurtures and rewards its employees with a positive environment, understanding and flexibility. We believe diversity and inclusion drive innovation and are committed to building a diverse workforce that enriches the workplace.

 

To apply

Email your cover letter outlining why you are the right fit for this role and your CV through to careers@ausfashioncouncil.com by 15 June, 2025. Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.

 

Media Release: Australian Fashion Council And Epson Australia To Develop Smart Factory Blueprint Powered By Ai And Digital Technologies

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 15th May, 2025

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and Epson Australia have launched an initiative to evaluate the potential for an AI and digitally-powered smart factory to advance Australia's clothing manufacturing capabilities. The organisations are seeking a qualified research partner to conduct a six-month feasibility study that will create a detailed blueprint for a pilot facility combining digital design and print, automation, and AI technologies to revolutionise local production.

The announcement comes just one week after the AFC unveiled its commitment to developing Australia's first-ever National Manufacturing Strategy for the fashion and textile industry. This smart factory feasibility study will evaluate how cutting-edge technology can form a key pillar in rebuilding local manufacturing capabilities.

A clothing smart factory is an automated production facility that enables on-demand, customisable garment manufacturing with minimal waste and fast turnaround times. By bringing together digital design and print and advanced manufacturing technologies with AI-powered systems and analytics, smart factories enable quick, flexible production runs that respond rapidly to market trends without the high minimum order quantities that can result in overproduction.

Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the Australian Fashion Council, said: "This smart factory initiative addresses multiple challenges facing Australian fashion manufacturing, from supply chain disruptions to skills shortages. Our sector is at a critical tipping point. The feasibility study will validate whether a smart factory pilot program can be commercially viable while delivering broader benefits as part of an integrated advanced manufacturing ecosystem."

Research commissioned by the AFC has estimated that for every $1 million invested in returning production to Australia, approximately $1.2 million in economic returns could be generated through job creation, technology adoption, strengthened local supply chains, and reduced import dependencies.

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia, said: "Epson is committed to supporting innovation in Australian manufacturing as we believe Epson’s digital textile printing technology can help build a more sustainable world and improve lives. Our partnership with the AFC and this blueprint and initiative will help local brands, big and small, have access to smart manufacturing capabilities that match their scale and ambition. For smaller brands, it means producing high quality garments locally, on demand. For larger companies it offers a blueprint to implement smart factory practices within their operations. As a result, we see a future where Australian made sustainable fashion will set the global standard, leading not just in design, but also in ethical, high-tech manufacturing.”

 

Why a Feasibility Study? 

Before committing significant resources to establish a smart factory, the AFC and Epson recognise the importance of thoroughly validating the concept, and learning from other local and international examples. The comprehensive six-month study will assess market viability, technical requirements, operational models, financial projections, and social and environmental considerations to create a detailed implementation roadmap.

"This isn't just a research exercise, it's the foundation for action," said Quaintance-James. "Following completion of the study toward the end of 2025, we'll develop a detailed implementation plan to secure investment partnerships, finalise specifications for an initial pilot, develop training programs with educational institutions, and create a governance framework to maximise benefits to the Australian fashion industry."

"The smart factory concept represents a transformative shift toward 'rapid agile' on-demand manufacturing,” Heckenberg said. "Rather than speculative production, this approach enables creating products in response to actual consumer demand, simultaneously addressing profitability challenges and environmental concerns."

The initiative aims to retain sovereign manufacturing capability, rebuild local supply chains, drive digital innovation, and upskill the workforce through educational partnerships. "These advancements will deliver far-reaching economic and community benefits - from job creation and skills development to regional growth and greater participation for women in technology-driven manufacturing roles," Quaintance-James added.

 

Call for Research Partners

The AFC and Epson Australia are seeking research partners with experience in technology and innovation, fashion and textile industry expertise, stakeholder engagement, comprehensive research and analysis skills, and financial analysis capabilities.

Research partners may be Australian-based or international organisations with the capacity to conduct a thorough feasibility study that delivers actionable recommendations.

Interested parties should submit their expressions of interest by Sunday, 15th June, 2025.

For more information, please contact: Sam Delgos, Industry Relations Manager, AFC, sdelgos@ausfashioncouncil.com

The complete program page can be found here.

 

About Australian Fashion Council
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.
www.ausfashioncouncil.com

About Epson Australia
Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983 and now in its 41st year of operation, Epson Australia is headquartered in North Sydney and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
www.epson.com.au

 

Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Anderson
Head of Policy & Communications, AFC
eanderson@ausfashioncoiuncil.com
+61 424 991 231

Salvatore Di Muccio
Well Above
salvatore@wellabove.com
+61 412 649 964

Media Release: Landmark Partnership Australian Fashion Council And R.M. Williams Unite To Rebuild Australia’s Fashion And Textile Manufacturing Sector

Tuesday, 6th May, 2025, Sydney, Australia: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and R.M. Williams have today announced a landmark partnership to develop Australia’s first-ever National Manufacturing Strategy for the fashion and textile industry. This strategic collaboration will mobilise a nationwide effort to rebuild and future-proof the sector, unlock Australian-made capability and enable a globally competitive industry powered by innovation, advanced technology and next-generation skills. 

With 97 per cent of Australia’s $28 billion fashion industry produced offshore, this landmark initiative comes at a pivotal time, as growing trade uncertainty and fragile global supply chains underscore the need to diversify production and strengthen sovereign capability in apparel and footwear manufacturing. 

The strategy will address three interconnected challenges: safeguarding the industry’s $7.2 billion export contribution in an unpredictable global landscape; tackling a deepening skills crisis and widespread technical shortages, with the median age of skilled manufacturing workers now 57; and preserving a vital source of women's economic participation, with the industry employing 500,000 Australians - 77 per cent of whom are women. 

Research commissioned by the Australian Fashion Council estimated that for every $1 million invested in returning production to Australia could generate approximately $1.2 million in economic returns through job creation, technology, strengthened local supply chains, and reduced import dependencies, further strengthening the business case for strategic reinvestment in domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the AFC, said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with R.M. Williams - an iconic brand that proves Australian manufacturing isn’t just possible; it’s profitable, scalable, and vital to our future. Our sector is at a critical tipping point. Through deep industry consultation, we’ve identified an urgent need for a National Manufacturing Strategy - one that safeguards jobs, restores technical capability, and strengthens our global competitiveness. Rebuilding local manufacturing will deliver far-reaching economic and community benefits - from job creation and skills development to regional growth and greater participation for women. This is about securing Australia’s fashion and textile future in an increasingly uncertain global market both economically, socially, and sustainably.”

Tara Moses, Chief Operating Office at R.M. Williams adds: “We’re honoured to step into this role at a time when local manufacturing is facing both challenges and opportunities. By partnering with the AFC, we hope to tackle systemic factors which limit growth and capability and inspire other Australian brands to produce locally. We believe that quality products made by skilled Australian hands will always be valued, and we’re excited to contribute to the AFC’s vision for a National Manufacturing Strategy that supports jobs, skills, and sustainability.”

The National Manufacturing Strategy will take shape through six structured industry consultation sessions conducted across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and online starting Monday, 5th May 2025 in Adelaide. 

These sessions will bring together manufacturers, brands and educators to map capabilities, identify critical gaps and develop targeted recommendations for both industry and governments. Following industry consultation, the AFC and R.M. Williams will engage with key stakeholders to implement the strategy, which will be released in late 2025.

The AFC invites all Australian textile, clothing, and footwear manufacturers and industry stakeholders to join this historic initiative. To ensure the National Manufacturing Strategy represents the diverse needs of businesses across the sector, the AFC is calling on all industry participants to register their interest: here.

-ends- 

For further information and imagery:

Elizabeth Anderson

Head of Policy and Communications, AFC

eanderson@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 424 991 231

____

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.

RMIT Launches New Guide to Accelerate Circular Fashion Design

The global fashion industry is consistently cited as one of the most environmentally destructive and polluting sectors.

The new guide, Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale, outlines steps for makers to transition from linear to circular design, focusing on maximising the lifespan of products and materials. Project lead and Dean of RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles, Professor Alice Payne, said the guide challenged traditional design thinking with practical steps to enable change.

“This guide provides a systematic and methodological approach to implementing circular clothing design in a way that all organisations can implement, regardless of their size,” she said.

“Based on extensive research with the industry, we’ve created practical steps businesses can take to improve the circularity of their outputs.

“Although other circular design guides are available, Refashioning is unique in providing a systematic methodology that enables designers to both slow the flow and close the loop.”

The dominant production and consumption method used by most brands today creates clothing for a linear economy - a system of take, make and waste. To switch to a circular method that allows materials to be recycled, critical aspects such as material choices, product purpose and use, durability, and end-of-life options need to be considered early in the design process.

Funded by Sustainability Victoria, the guide’s production was a collaboration between RMIT, Country Road Group brands and two independent partners, circular design expert Courtney Holm and sustainability expert Julie Boulton.

Sustainability Victoria’s CEO, Matt Genever, said the research connected industry, government, and academia to address textile waste.

“It’s an example of how effective cross-sector collaboration can generate impactful results in the transition to a circular economy,” he said.

“By fostering partnerships across sectors, Sustainability Victoria enables meaningful change that moves beyond theory and into real, actionable solutions.”

Applied expertise was central to the design of the guidelines, as they were tested by users on actual products. For over a year, the team worked with eight product and design teams across four brands within the Country Road Group - Country Road, Trenery, Witchery and Politix – to test and refine the guides in a commercial context.

Country Road Group’s Head of Sustainability, Erika Martin, said working on the guide’s creation has started the Group on a journey towards having a common understanding and approach to circular design across its brands.

“This project delivered a clear vision for circular design, and leveraged the expertise in the industry, academia and our own business,” she said.

“The opportunity to help create guidelines based on real life feedback and challenges and not just academic theory was a key driver for our involvement, alongside our commitment to building a better future.”

Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale, with RMIT co-authors Alice Payne, Yassie Samie, Jenny Underwood, Saniyat Islam, Rebecca Van Amber and Regine Abos, is published on refashioning.org.

 

Find out more about RMIT’s Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale here.

AFC Member Lounge at Australian Fashion Week

We would like to introduce you to the AFC Member Lounge at Australian Fashion Week. Your exclusive front-row seat to the conversations, connections, and collaborations shaping the future of Australian fashion.

 

AFC MEMBER LOUNGE AT AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK

Located at Carriageworks, the home of Australian Fashion Week, the AFC Member Lounge is a dedicated retreat for Australian Fashion Council members - offering a place to meet, recharge, and engage with industry peers, partners, and special guests.

Throughout the week, the lounge will also host The Talks — a thought leadership series exploring the future of Australian fashion, from revitilising local supply chains through advanced manufacturing to confronting the rise of global fast fashion, and unlocking export growth in an unpredictable global market.

Whether you're between shows or diving deep into industry insights, the AFC Member Lounge is your space to reconnect and reflect on what’s next for Australian fashion.

 

THE TALKS | Presented by the Australian Fashion Council

Big ideas. Bold voices. The future of fashion, in conversation.

Step inside the AFC Member Lounge at Australian Fashion Week and join the conversation shaping the future of fashion in Australia.

The Talks is a three-part thought leadership series bringing together pioneers, disruptors, and decision-makers to explore the big questions facing our industry - from the future of Australian manufacturing and the rise of next-generation production, to the impact of ultra-fast fashion and global market disruptions.

Curated by the Australian Fashion Council, these sessions offer an opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders, government voices, and innovative trailblazers driving change at every level. Expect insightful conversations, practical perspectives, and bold ideas - with opportunities for the audience to engage directly through live Q&As and roundtable discussions.

We also invite you to join us for drinks and networking after the session, providing an opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders and continue the conversation in an informal setting.

Whether you're a designer, manufacturer, media, policymaker, or fashion delegate, The Talks is your front-row seat to the future of Australian fashion.

 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Made in Australia: Powering the Future of Australian Manufacturing
WHEN: 3-4PM, Wednesday, 14th May 2025
Australia’s fashion and textile manufacturing sector stands at a critical crossroads. Amid rising global trade tensions and supply chain volatility, the need to rebuild sovereign capability has never been more urgent.

This session will examine the current state of Australia’s local manufacturing landscape, the global forces accelerating change and the national opportunity to reshore key production capabilities. From future-proofing trade and export growth, to driving regional economic development, enabling advanced skills, and scaling value-add industries like fibre processing, this important conversation will explore why rebuilding Australia’s manufacturing base is the key to unlocking a new era for Australian design, craftsmanship and economic resilience.

Hear from the industry leaders driving this movement and shaping a bold new vision for a globally competitive, future-ready Australian fashion industry.

Smarter, Faster, Greener: The Rise of Australia’s Future Factories
WHEN: 12-1PM, Thursday, 15th May 2025
What does the next generation of fashion manufacturing look like and how do we build it here in Australia? 

This session explores the new frontier of local production: AI-powered facilities, sustainable processes, and faster paths from design to consumer. It’s a conversation about reimagining the factory floor - from digital sampling to low-waste models, and the bold moves needed to innovate our manufacturing ecosystem to help Australian designers bring their ideas to life onshore. 

Join us as we examine the technological and cultural shifts that could shape Australia’s future as a leader in advanced manufacturing, explore leading smart factories worldwide, and hear a special announcement about how the AFC will drive innovation for the next wave of Australian manufacturing.

Fast Threat: Protecting Australian Fashion in an Ultra-Fast World
WHEN: 12-1PM, Friday, 16th May
The rapid expansion of ultra-fast fashion is reshaping global markets, presenting a critical challenge to Australia’s fashion industry. With local businesses facing unprecedented pressures around pricing, sustainability, intellectual property, and market fairness, the need for industry-wide dialogue and action has never been greater. 

In partnership with the City of Sydney, this exclusive roundtable invites guests to share insights, challenges and discuss strategies required to protect our local industry. Your perspective will play a key role in the AFC’s advocacy efforts, including our formal call for a government inquiry into ultra-fast fashion’s impact on Australia’s economy, environment and community.

 

If you have any questions about the AFC Member Lounge or issues with ticketing links for The Talks, please email: info@ausfashioncouncil.com. 

AFC 2025 Federal Election Platform

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has launched its 2025 Federal Election Platform, calling on all political parties to commit to strategic investment in Australia's fashion and textile sector. This commitment is essential to unlock growth potential, support local jobs, strengthen manufacturing capability, and secure our industry's future.

READ OUR SUMMARY FEDERAL ELECTION PLATFORM HERE. 

READ OUR FULL FEDERAL ELECTION PLATFORM HERE.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Australia's fashion and textile sector contributes $28 billion to the economy, exports over $7.2 billion annually (more than wine and beer combined), and employs 500,000 people (more than mining and utilities combined) – with women making up 77% of our workforce. Despite these contributions, we face significant challenges from market pressures, skills shortages, and global competition.

With targeted support, our sector could grow to $38 billion over the next decade, creating more high-value jobs, securing women's economic security, strengthening domestic manufacturing capability, expanding export opportunities, and establishing our place as a global leader in sustainable and innovative fashion.

 

OUR KEY PRIORITIES

The AFC has outlined strategic priorities across four key areas:

GROW THE FASHION AND TEXTILES SECTOR

INVEST IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

ADDRESS SKILLS GAPS AND WORKFORCE NEEDS

LEAD SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION

 

TAKE ACTION NOW
With your support we can drive real change and secure the economic future of Australia's Fashion & Textile industry.

AFC Australian Fashion Week Designer Applications Open

With new criteria, Fashion Week 2025 will spotlight only the best in Australian design, focusing on quality over quantity and setting a new standard for excellence. 

Each designer seeking to show will be requested to provide detailed information about their brand and business activity for review by the Selection Committee. All applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee in line with a rigorous assessment framework. In 2025, decisions made by the Selection Committee are final; an appeal process will be introduced in subsequent years.

Applications were open from 5pm Wednesday 15th January 2025 to Friday 31st January 2025.

Applications have now closed. Designers will be notified of the outcome shortly. 

Rube Pedder’s Journey from Couture to Ready-to-Wear with Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund

The future of Australian fashion is being shaped by a new generation of designers who are not only pushing creative boundaries but also building sustainable, forward-thinking businesses.

Rube Pedder is one of these rising talents. At just 24, she has already made her mark on the industry, with her designs gracing the runway at Australian Fashion Week and being worn by global icons like Katy Perry, BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim, and Genesis Owusu.

Now, with the support of Ubank’s Feel-Good Fashion Fund, Rube has received a $30,000 grant to take her brand to the next level. Expanding beyond her intricate couture designs, she is launching her first ready-to-wear collection, a bold interpretation of ‘elevated streetwear’ that brings together artisanal craftsmanship and digital innovation.

In this interview, Rube shares the inspiration behind this collection, the challenges and opportunities of moving into ready-to-wear, and how she is ensuring that craftsmanship remains at the heart of her growing brand.

 

1. Your Ready-to-Wear collection with Ubank marks an exciting new chapter for your brand. What inspired this collection, and how does it align with your creative vision?

What inspired this collection:

This collection with Ubank focuses on the unexpected intersections between finance and fashion. While these brands may seem worlds apart, they share common ground - youthfulness, innovation, and creative ingenuity. This collection is a reflection of that shared spirit, seamlessly merging both worlds.

A key inspiration was traditional bank merchandise, marketing materials, and traditional bank uniforms. I hand-drew a series of custom Ubank fonts, logos, stickers, and slogans, embedding the brand’s identity into the fabric of the designs. The focal slogan, ‘future u,’ is a direct evolution of Ubank’s core message, ‘see your money clearly.’ It embodies the idea of envisioning a brighter future - whether that’s buying a house, traveling to Europe, or achieving a goal. This theme is particularly highlighted in the couture dress, where these mentioned manifestation-based texts are printed into the fabric itself.

I also looked to the physicality of banking for inspiration - ATM interfaces, fluorescent fonts, stripes, numbers, and phrases like ‘sufficient funds,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘have a nice day.’ Even the zeros from a $100 bill found their way into the details.

Beyond banking, the Bauhaus movement was a major influence. Bauhaus was built on the unification of different artistic disciplines, much like this collaboration between a digital bank and a niche couture label. To symbolize this unity, one of the key prints in the collection is based on a jersey design.

How does it align with your creative vision:

At its core, my brand has continually pushed boundaries of traditional craftsmanship while embracing modernity, and this collection is a direct extension of that vision. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of merging contrasting worlds - whether that’s couture with streetwear, handcraft with technology, or in this case, finance with fashion. 

My approach to design is deeply rooted in storytelling and intricate detailing, both of which are central to this collection. The use of hand-drawn typography, layered prints, and hand-made couture reflects my commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship, while the digital influences bring in a futuristic edge. This collaboration has allowed me to explore new methods of expression while staying true to my aesthetic - where tradition meets innovation in a way that feels fresh, bold, and unexpected.

 

2. Moving from couture to ready-to-wear presents both opportunities and challenges. How does the design process differ, and what considerations come into play when creating pieces for a broader audience?

Transitioning from couture to ready-to-wear is both an exciting challenge and an opportunity to expand my brand’s reach. Couture allows for complete creative freedom - each piece is handcrafted, intricate, and highly individualised. The concept and product are developed together, with each fitting influencing the next stage of development, making it a deeply organic and personalised process. Ready-to-wear, while still made by hand, is produced in larger quantities following exact patterns and technical instructions. The focus shifts to accessibility, functionality, and wearability.

The design process for ready-to-wear is more structured. It relies heavily on drawings and tech packs, meaning that you need to know exactly what you want right from the start. The factory work involves executing the designs and fitting once, which doesn’t allow for the same fluidity or refinement as in couture, made more crucial due to time constraints. Working remotely and designing something that’s not yet tangible posed its own challenges and limitations, but it also provided an opportunity to approach things from a new perspective, one of refinement and decisiveness. 

Couture, though traditionally exclusive, is modern in its sustainability as only what’s ordered is produced. However, its intricacy, time, and materials make it an expensive practice. Ready-to-wear, on the other hand, is about reaching a broader audience and balancing the essence of my brand. I approached this by incorporating the layering and textures in my couture work in the prints and combining them with different finishes and fabrications to create visual stimulation. For example, the sticker print incorporates 20-30 hand drawn logos, which I then scanned digitally, and re printed as stickers, and then re-scanned them. This process created an image with a texture and effect similar to a three-dimensional form like the smocking in my couture work. 

Despite these differences, my approach remains the same - merging craftsmanship with innovation. Whether couture or RTW, every piece is designed with intention, maintaining the balance between artistry and wearability.

 

3. Maintaining a brand’s unique identity while scaling production is a key challenge for many designers. How have you approached this transition while ensuring your craftsmanship and artistry remain at the forefront?

Maintaining the unique identity of the brand while scaling production is definitely a challenge, but it’s one that I’ve approached with intention. My brand is built on craftsmanship, innovation, and the artistry of intricate details - principally, techniques like smocking, hand-drawn prints, and sculptural silhouettes. The key to maintaining this identity while scaling is ensuring that every piece, whether couture or ready-to-wear, is rooted in the same values of thoughtful design and high-quality craftsmanship.

For me, it’s about finding the balance between artistry and accessibility. As production grows, I’ve focused on developing methods that allow the artistry to shine through without compromising the quality. For example, in ready-to-wear, I’ve made sure that the prints, textures, and finishes maintain the same level of detail as my couture pieces, using fabrics and techniques that are both unique and aligned with my aesthetic.

I’ve also worked closely with Ubank in facilitating trusted production partners who shared our vision and commitment to quality. This allows me to ensure that even as we scale, the integrity of the design process is upheld, and every piece reflects the essence of my brand.

In the end, scaling is not just about making more garments, it's about staying true to what makes Rube Pedder distinct: a seamless fusion of artistry and wearability that remains accessible to a wider audience, from the smallest detail to the overall vision. Craftsmanship and artistry are always at the forefront of what I do, and that’s something I’m committed to preserving as the brand grows. 

 

4. Are there any innovative techniques or materials you’re incorporating into this collection?

One of the key techniques I’m excited about is the use of hand-drawn typography within my digital prints. I’ve developed custom fonts and logos for this collection, which were then translated into layered prints through digital scanning to create unique visual textures and patterns. This digital approach allows me to blend the precision of technology with the artistry of handcraft, creating something unique.

In terms of materials, I’ve featured the defining aspect of my practice – smocking, in combination with more contemporary finishes. This allows me to bring my signature craftsmanship into a modern context.

 

5. As your brand evolves, do you see ready-to-wear becoming a major focus, or will you continue balancing couture with more accessible collections?

As my brand evolves, I do see ready-to-wear becoming a significant focus, but I plan to continue balancing it with couture collections. Ready-to-wear offers a unique opportunity to reach a broader audience, and I’m excited to explore the possibilities of creating accessible yet high-quality pieces. 

That said, couture will always remain an essential part of my brand’s DNA. It allows me to push the boundaries of craftsmanship and design, and I see it as a vital expression of the artistry that defines my work. Moving forward, I envision a brand that seamlessly blends both, offering the exclusivity and refinement of couture while making the artistry of my designs more accessible through ready-to-wear collections.

 

Explore Ubank's Feel-Good Fashion Fund for more details and it’s  social campaign here. 

Fashion Week Advisory Committee nominations now open

Applications for the Fashion Week Advisory Committee closed on 17th January, 2025.

Fashion Week 2025 is an opportunity to reimagine and reshape how Australian fashion is represented and explore new ways in which to showcase emerging and established Australian talent. It's critical that Australia's premier fashion event is informed by comprehensive industry input at every step of the process, therefore the AFC are forming a Fashion Week Advisory Committee and two Sub-committees.

The role of the Advisory Committees

AFC Fashion Week Advisory Committee
This committee will be initially Chaired by AFW Founder Simon Lock, with the support of the AFC CEO Jaana Quaintance-James. The following profiles will be sought:
(2) Emerging Designer Representatives
(2) Established Australian Designer Representatives
(2) Established Australian International Designer Representatives
(1) Indigenous Designer Representatives
(2) Department store Representatives
(1) Australian designer multi-label boutique
(1) Australian online retailer
(1) Creative Services Representative (Hair/Makeup Stylist)
(1) Model Industry Representative
(1) Marketing Services Representative (PR/Agency)
(1) Media Services Representative (Social/Legacy)
(1) Education Institutions Representative
(1) Event Executive Producer
(1) Sponsor Representative

Selection Sub-Committee
To oversee and approve requests for designer participation.

International Marketing & Delegates Sub-Committee
To assist the Chair in identifying and extending international invitations to attend the event.

 

Applications for the Fashion Week Advisory Committee closed on 17th January, 2025.

How to Best Expand in a Fluid Global Market?

Expanding into new markets presents exciting opportunities but without the right strategy, it can also bring significant challenges. 

To ensure long-term success, brands must build a strong internal foundation, conduct thorough market research, and establish strategic local partnerships. From refining logistics to understanding regional consumer behavior, a well-planned approach can make all the difference.

FashionNet Anton Dell (FNAD) has outlined the essential steps to help you scale sustainably in today’s dynamic global market.

 

1. Strengthen Your Internal Structure Before Expanding

Before diving into wholesale expansion, ensure that your internal operations are solid. Growth naturally puts pressure on resources, so it’s critical to focus on steady and sustainable scaling to avoid overwhelming your systems and processes. 

 

2. Conduct Thorough Market Research

Effective market research is essential to ensure that your brand’s expansion yields the expected results. Analyse new markets by considering:

 

3. Partner With Local Experts For Sustainable Growth

Local partners provide the safest route to long-term success. When selecting agents or distributors, prioritise:

 

4. Leverage Local Expertise

Rely on your local representatives for insights into market best practices. Their feedback will help you avoid costly missteps and tailor your approach for maximum impact.

 

5. Optimise Logistics & Supply Chain

Smooth and profitable expansion depends on a well-managed supply chain. To ensure reliability:

 

AFC MEMBER OFFER 

As an exclusive benefit for AFC members, FNAD is offering a free consultation to help your brand expand internationally. 

You’ll receive personalised market entry strategies, access to a wide network of agents and distributors, and an exclusive discount on services. Take the next step in growing your brand globally.

Book your free consultation with Mark Boloten, here, today. 

Jobs & Careers in the Australian Fashion & Textile Industry: December

Looking for your next opportunity in fashion & textiles? Check out these exciting job openings in the Australian Fashion & Textiles industry right now.

Australian Fashion Council: Membership & Administration Coordinator - NSW
Apply here.

Australian Fashion Council: AFC Partnerships Manager - Fashion Week - NSW
Apply here.

Zimmermann: Brand & Content Sample Assistant - NSW
Apply here.

Lee Mathews: Retail Specialist - NSW
Apply here.

Carla Zampatti: Casual Styling Professional - QLD
Apply here.

Matteau: Junior Product Developer - NSW
Apply here.

Matteau: Production Coordinator - NSW
Apply here.

5 Must Listen Australian Fashion Podcasts for your Summer Break

Whether you're lounging by the beach or enjoying some downtime at home, we've got you covered with 5 must-listen fashion podcasts.

From behind-the-scenes stories to industry insights and sustainability tips, these podcasts will keep you inspired all summer long.

🌟Wardrobe Crisis with Clare Press - Clare Press
WARDROBE CRISIS is a fashion podcast about sustainability, ethical fashion and making a difference in the world. Your host is author and journalist Clare Press, who was the first ever Vogue sustainability editor. Each week, we bring you insightful interviews from the global fashion change makers, industry insiders, activists, artists, designers and scientists who are shaping fashion's future.

Listen on Spotify Podcasts

🌟 Fashion Business Mindset podcast - Elizabeth Formosa
Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to 'real' stories from Designers, Brands, Entrepreneurs, Makers & Mentors. Our mission? To increase the success rate in the Fashion Industry by creating a dynamic fashion business eco-system. Fashion Business Mindset provides industry insights and insider access to The Future of Fashion. Hosted & created by Elizabeth Formosa, the Founder of Fashion Equipped.

Listen on Spotify Podcasts.

🌟 Process the Podcast - Arielle Thomas
Process the podcast welcomes guests of all creative disciplines, bridging the gap between art and commerce as leaders in their lane. Host Arielle Thomas hopes you love these creative conversations with some of the most celebrated names in the Australian fashion, media, and design landscape, taking a dive into their unique processes to actualise their ideas.

Listen here.

🌟Critical Fashion Studies - Dr Harriet Richards & Critical Fashion Studies
We hear a lot about ethical fashion, but what does this mean in practice? In this interview series, you'll hear from Australian fashion experts about how sustainability and diversity are shaping our local fashion industry.

Listen on Spotify Podcasts.

🌟 The Seamless Leadership Podcast - Seamless Australia

Hosted by sustainable fashion expert Clare Press. Tune in to hear industry leaders and changemakers tell the story of what it takes to build a new circular system for clothing.

Listen here.

🌟 In Fashion Podcast - Glynis Traill-Nash
Glynis talks fashion craft, commerce and connection with leaders, innovators and insiders that make the fashion world turn.

Listen here.

Media Release: eBay Australia announces Shopfront as the winner of the 2025 Circular Fashion Fund, advancing circularity in the fashion industry

Today, eBay Australia, in partnership with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), proudly announced Shopfront as the winner of eBay’s 2025 Circular Fashion Fund, recognising their innovative approach to driving progress in circularity and tackling Australia’s ongoing textile waste crisis.

Now in its second year in Australia, the Fund awards Shopfront $100,000 AUD, while runners-up HATCH + make and Hello Tailr will each receive $50,000 AUD to further their circular business solutions. In addition to the funding received, the three recipients will receive bespoke mentoring sessions, educational workshops and networking opportunities.

In 2023, over 222,000 tonnes of clothing were sent to Australian landfill, reinforcing the need for urgent, systemic and lasting change.¹ To address this, eBay launched the Circular Fashion Fund to foster innovation and support businesses that reduce waste and promote circularity, aligning with the industry’s 2030 goals.2 This year’s winners were chosen from a competitive shortlist, pitching their transformative ideas to a panel of industry experts.

Shopfront's victory not only provides funding for their business but also earns them a place in eBay's global competition. They will join winners from the UK, US and Germany to pitch their ideas to eBay's venture capital arm, eBay Ventures, for the chance to be named 'Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year' and receive a potential $300,000 USD additional investment.**

 

eBay Australia’s Fashion Lead, Anne-Marie Cheney, said: “Circularity is no longer an aspiration—it’s a necessity for fashion’s future. At eBay, we’re proud to support businesses reimagining every stage of the fashion life cycle, from design to resale and repair. Following the success of our 2024 winners, we’re excited to see how this year’s businesses use the mentoring, networking opportunities, workshops and funding to drive change. Our 2025 winners prove that a more circular future isn’t just an idea—it’s already in motion.”

 

More about the winners

Shopfront aims to make fashion resale seamless, scalable, and sustainable. Using an AI-powered tool to streamline listings across multiple marketplaces, Shopfront simplifies the shopping experience to drive circularity. Sellers simply upload photos, while Shopfront removes backgrounds, generates listings, and posts them to platforms like eBay – making it easy for sellers to connect with and manage multiple platforms and scale their resale success.

HATCH + make creates sustainable knitwear through low-waste design, eco-friendly production, and a focus on natural fibres. Its Brood line, launched in December 2024, helps brand partners reduce development costs. Using efficient knitting methods and local production, HATCH + make supports small runs to cut waste and ensures transparency across the supply chain lifecycle. Over the next three years, the brand plans to upskill more designers and expand its impact, building on the more than 30 organisations it has supported.

Hello Tailr promotes circular fashion by extending garment life and empowering brands to follow suit. As an online clothing tailor and alteration platform, it offers door-to-door pickup, mail-in, and drop-off services at over 7,500 locations nationwide for added convenience. Hello Tailr also helps fashion brands coordinate repairs in their pro platforms while managing logistics and technology. Catering to businesses and consumers, more than 72% of the brand’s services are completed by social enterprise partners, supporting communities and the greater recommerce ecosystem.

 

2025 Circular Fashion Fund winner, Shopfront Co-Founder & CEO Nate Spiteri, said: “We’re incredibly honoured to receive the 2025 Circular Fashion Fund and grateful to eBay and the Australian Fashion Council for their commitment to driving circularity in the fashion industry. At Shopfront, our mission is to make fashion resale seamless, scalable, and sustainable. This funding will help us enhance our AI-powered tool, streamlining the resale process across multiple marketplaces and making it easier for sellers to extend the life cycle of garments. We look forward to collaborating with industry leaders and mentors to accelerate sustainable solutions for the future of fashion.”

CEO of the Australian Fashion Council, Jaana Quaintance-James, said: “The 2025 Circular Fashion Fund winners exemplify the innovation we need to transform Australia's fashion ecosystem. Innovative businesses like HATCH + make, Shopfront, and Hello Tailr are critical for driving forward practical solutions that extend product lifecycles, minimise waste, and build resilient supply chains. With continued collaboration between government, industry leaders like eBay, and our pioneering winners, we can accelerate Australia’s transition to a lower impact future.”

Participants were evaluated based on three criteria: innovation, circularity and business viability/scalability. Selected businesses showcased new or improved products or processes and offered creative strategies to address circularity in fashion. They also demonstrated scalability and a track record of success, indicating their ability to effectively utilise the funding.

eBay Australia, along with the global markets, will run the Fund with the goal of forming an international alumni of circular fashion businesses, helping to pave the way for a more circular future.

eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund will provide a total global investment of $1.2 million USD** to start-ups in the global markets by the end of 2025 and over 200 hours of mentoring and networking support for applicants from industry experts.

 

-ENDS-

1https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/The-Australia-Institute-Textiles-Waste-In-Australia-Web.pdf

2 Australian Fashion Council, 2023 Industry goals: https://ausfashioncouncil.com/program/seamless/

**The currency exchange rate for the $300,000 USD investment will vary depending on the time of payout.

 

For further information, please contact:

Emily Fookes, Pulse

PH: 0438 854 883 I E: emily.fookes@ogilvy.com.au

 

About eBay

eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2024, eBay enabled $75 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

 

About the Australian Fashion Council:

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation. Find out more here: https://ausfashioncouncil.com/.

Hello Tailr: Redefining Clothing Alterations and Repairs with Convenience and Technology

eBay Australia, supported by the Australian Fashion Council, has proudly announced Hello Tailr as a shortlisted winner in eBay’s 2025 Circular Fashion Fund, recognising their innovative approach to revolutionising clothing alterations and repairs.

Hello Tailr offers a simple, convenient service that allows customers to arrange clothing alterations and repairs with ease. By providing door-to-door shipping options and making the process as seamless as online shopping, Hello Tailr is transforming the way consumers think about clothing maintenance. Their goal is to make clothing repairs and refashioning as common and accessible as purchasing new items, promoting a more sustainable approach to fashion.

We spoke with Owen about the journey behind Hello Tailr, the lessons learned in building a service focused on convenience and sustainability, and how the company is shaping the future of clothing repairs.

 

1. Could you share some insights into your background and the journey that led you to start Hello Tailr? 

Hello Tailr was inspired by my own frustrating experience. Like most online shopping today, buying a pair of pants online was effortless—they arrived at my doorstep a few days after ordering. The experience gets frustrating from there. As a shorter person, nearly every pair of pants I own needs shortening. Having recently moved to a new suburb, I had to spend time researching "tailors near me," only to find options were limited. Eventually, I found a tailor that was quite a drive away, dropped the pants off, and returned days later to pick them up—only to discover they'd mistakenly shortened them by six millimetres instead of six centimetres. Having to repeat this tedious and inconvenient process sparked the idea that there must be a better way, and that's how Hello Tailr was born. 

 

2. Having founded and served as CEO of Obee, what inspired you to start this venture, and how does it dier from your previous business experiences? 

Obee started from a personal frustration back in 2010. I was trying to book a restaurant for a date, but after multiple unanswered phone calls, I finally secured a last-minute spot. It got me thinking—why was something as simple as booking a table so difficult? That experience led me to build Obee, and over the years, I watched as phone bookings became less common and online reservations became the new norm. 

Hello Tailr has come from a similar place—another personal frustration, this time with clothing alterations. After struggling through a tedious process just to get a pair of pants hemmed, I found myself asking the same question: why is this so inconvenient? Is there a better way? Hello Tailr seems like a much bigger challenge. Technically it's a challenge to make the range of services simple and easy, but also we'll need to see a mindset shift where repair and circular fashion become the norm. The experience I gained from Obee gave me the confidence to take this on. I’d love to see another societal shift happen—this time towards people rewearing, repairing, and refashioning their clothes as a natural part of how we consume fashion.

 

3. Hello Tailr is revolutionising the way we think about clothing alterations and repairs. How do you see the role of technology in extending the life cycle of garments, and how do you envision its future? 

I’ve now spent over a year and a half in this space—which isn’t long compared to many—but what excites me the most is the craft! I encourage everyone to look up "visible mending" on Instagram and TikTok. Go down the rabbit hole of creative repair techniques and explore specific techniques like darning and Sashiko, and suddenly, clothes with holes will become something you will get excited about—an opportunity to refashion and reimagine, not just throw out. 

The challenge, though, is that these skills are rare, and most people are too time-poor to learn them, let alone do it themselves. I believe technology is the unlock. If we can fuse together the convenience economy with social enterprise partners that have these skills, then it’s a win for everyone. As a founder with experience in tech, I feel like I bring a unique perspective because I’m thinking about how we can use technology to bridge this gap, connecting skilled makers and social enterprises with the people who are just looking for a simple and hassle-free experience. 

 

4. What do you see as the biggest barriers to widespread adoption of clothing repairs and alterations, and how is Hello Tailr helping to overcome them? 

The biggest barrier is convenience. We live in a world where almost anything—fashion, groceries, even pet food—can be ordered at the click of a button. The convenience economy has reshaped consumer expectations, making traditional clothing repairs and alterations a stark contrast, typically requiring at least two store visits—one to drop off and another to pick up. 

Hello Tailr is addressing this head-on by reimagining how clothing repairs and alterations can be delivered online. We have over multiple shipping options—including a door-to-door service and printer-free options—with the aim of making the service as convenient as possible. If we can provide a simple, easy-to-use service with a wide range of services, we hope to make clothing repair as easy as online shopping—ultimately helping shift consumer behaviour towards more sustainable fashion choices.

 

5. What have been some of your most significant lessons learned in growing a business focused on clothing repairs and sustainable fashion practices? 

There are so many wonderful people and businesses that genuinely care about sustainability, circularity, and social impact. It’s incredibly humbling and inspiring to see their dedication and long-term commitment—many have been driving change for over a decade. With the rise of new initiatives like Seamless Australia and other circularity-focused policies emerging globally, there seems to be growing momentum. Hopefully, now is just the beginning of the broader population embracing these values, making sustainable fashion choices the norm. 

 

6. If you could impart one piece of advice to someone looking to create a fashion tech startup with sustainability at its core, what would it be? 

Develop a clear, fundamental hypothesis—what is the core problem you are trying to solve? Try and articulate it in one short, sharp, clear sentence. Then, ask yourself honestly: Is this a real problem, or am I trying to create a problem for a solution I have already thought of? Being real with yourself now will save you a lot of wasted time later. 

Next, figure out the fastest and easiest way to test your hypothesis. Can you validate that other people share your problem quickly? As an example, sending something as simple as a short survey to friends, family, or colleagues can give you answers very quickly—you don’t need to spend thousands building a website or app upfront. 

Once you’ve validated the problem, focus on the “how”—is the solution an app, a website, a service, a physical store, or a product? Pick one approach and laser-focus on delivering and testing it as fast as possible. Even a big idea like opening a restaurant or store can be tested and de-risked by running pop ups or events first. Avoid distractions—keep a long list of ideas for later, but stay committed to the task at hand. Choose something achievable in 1-2 months, launch it, promote it for another 1-2 months, then assess: double down if it’s working, and pivot and test another approach if it’s not. 

The biggest mistake I see in startups is trying to do too many things at once. Stay focused, iterate, and most importantly—good luck! You’re going to need a bit of that too!

 

Discover more about Hellor Tailr through their social media channels or official website.

Media Release: Fashion Industry Rallies Behind AFC to Lead the Delivery of a New Vision for Australian Fashion Week 2025

Fashion Industry Rallies Behind AFC to lead the delivery of a New Vision for Australian Fashion Week 2025

Sydney, Australia: Today, leading Australian fashion designers and key industry figures have rallied in support of an industry-led Australian Fashion Week (AFW), following the announcement that IMG will no longer manage the event. 

This generational opportunity for the Australian fashion industry marks a transformational shift. Under the leadership of the AFC with a new not-for-profit model, AFW can evolve into a platform that elevates Australian fashion on the global stage, benefits designers, and prioritises the unique needs of local industry that generates over $28b for the Australian economy.

“The time has come for Australian fashion to be represented by those who know it best—our own community,” said Marianne Perkovic, Chair Australian Fashion Council.

“As the representative voice of Australia’s fashion and textile sector, the AFC has the insight, commitment, and industry focus to lead Australian Fashion Week that truly reflects the strength, resilience, and creativity of our industry,” Jaana Quaintance-James, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Fashion Council said.

Quaintance-James adds, “Fashion Week is so much more than runways and high heels—it’s a vital creative platform that shines a global spotlight on Australian fashion, driving our $28 billion economic powerhouse. This industry employs over 500,000 people, predominantly women, and supports an export trade that generates more revenue than wine. Our vision is to create an event that not only celebrates our incredible talent but also positions Australian fashion as a global leader, delivering meaningful economic and social benefits for our industry and beyond.”

“Having a not-for-profit organise Australian Fashion Week will be a game-changer and it’s how other successful fashion weeks like Milan and Paris operate,” commented Alex Schuman, CEO of Carla Zampatti. “This shift is about putting the needs of our industry first and ensuring that AFW continues to be a global launchpad for both emerging and established designers.”

Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night Time Economy, John Graham said “The NSW Government has been supporting Australian Fashion Week since 2009, and is committed to supporting the Australian industry fight to keep fashion week going, here in Sydney.”

The AFC has garnered broad support from across the industry including Australian Fashion Week founder Simon Lock and Editorial Director & Publisher News Prestige and Conde Nast titles Australia, Edwina McCann, signalling a renewed vision for AFW under local leadership.

Through close collaboration with its members and partners, the AFC aims to deliver a truly inclusive and empowering event that showcases Australia’s creative talent and landmarks to the world, enhancing the visibility, positioning, and international demand for Australian fashion. 

Supporters:

-ends- 

Media contact:
Prue-ellen Thomas
Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC
pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 439 882 788

____

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary of Report Key Findings:

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

Summary of Recommendations for the Australian TCF Manufacturing Industry:

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

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

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

Read the report in full here

 

AFC MEMBER BRAND & MANUFACTURERS FORUM

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

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

International Women's Day Edition of Future Makers: Katrina Konstas EVP, Country Manager and Head of Sales APAC at Afterpay

Today, we spotlight Katrina Konstas, EVP, Country Manager, and Head of Sales APAC at Afterpay, whose inspiring journey and leadership are shaping the future of both fashion and fintech.

Join us as we dive into her experiences, insights, and the impact she’s making in the industry.

1. How did you get your first start in the industry? Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?

I started my career in marketing and my first real exposure to the fashion industry was when I was living in London working for global hotel group, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, where I led brand campaigns, including fashion shoots at our properties. 

I was constantly surrounded by the eclectic fashion-forward style that London had to offer, and it was at a time where you learnt the art of blending high-end fashion with street style; an approach I absolutely loved. When I returned to Australia I transitioned across to the dynamic fintech and payments industry and held several roles across the Asia-Pacific, predominantly focused on the merchant landscape in both large multi-nationals as well as start-up environments. I've been with Afterpay for over 5 years now, and it’s been an incredible opportunity and privilege for me to lead one of Australia’s first home-grown unicorns. 

There was a pivotal moment in my career where, after being in marketing for a number of years, I was offered a role in sales which I was initially very skeptical about. I was a marketer, not a salesperson! I was given some incredibly valuable advice from a mentor of mine that I would need to take risks in my career and make sure I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. So, I took the sales role, and as a result learnt so much more about the customer being right in front of them. I’ve never looked back and to this day always look to take risks in my career - and share this same advice with others! 

 

2. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style? 

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have had incredible mentors and influential figures who have helped shape my leadership style. From my parents, the friends I have, and the amazing talent and team I am fortunate to be surrounded by. Leadership isn’t developed in isolation—it’s built through experiences, learning from others, and adapting to the ever-changing business landscape.

I’ve had incredible and inspiring leaders, I’ve also had terrible and lacklustre leaders. I’ve taken elements of what I have valued and admired in others and over time have woven this into my own leadership style. What holds true is that the key influences in my leadership have been the people and especially the mentors who encouraged me to take bold risks, keep it real, think strategically, and lead with a people-first mindset. 

As a leader, I believe mentorship is a two-way street. While I’ve benefited from the guidance of others, I also prioritise mentoring and empowering the next generation of leaders within Afterpay and the broader industry. Leadership is about continuous learning, and I’m grateful to be part of an ecosystem that fosters growth, innovation, and inclusivity.

I also draw inspiration from leaders who have been able to authentically connect with their people and who have championed diversity and inclusion, ensuring that leadership is not just about personal success but also about lifting others up. Creating a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and where emerging leaders—especially women in fintech and retail—are supported is something I am deeply passionate about.

 

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your journey, and how did you overcome it?

Throughout your career, challenges are inevitable, and as leaders, we constantly face unexpected curveballs. These can arise in managing the business, leading teams, or making tough decisions—especially when they impact people you genuinely care about, whose livelihoods are at stake. There will always be moments that disrupt plans, testing both resilience and leadership.

Over time you learn how to navigate the huge responsibility that comes with leadership, you build your own emotional resilience and learn how to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. You work out when to fight the good fight,but also when you need to bite the bullet and go along with the plan, regardless of whether you agree with it or not. 

At the end of the day, business is business and this balancing act is the hardest part of leadership. Staying true to your values, surrounding yourself with good people and advisors, and ensuring you keep your own mental health in check is key. 

 

4. Our industry is 76% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?

The Australian fashion industry has certainly evolved over the years, particularly in fostering creativity and celebrating women’s contributions. However, while women make up 76% of the industry’s workforce, this representation is not reflected at the executive level. Despite progress, barriers such as gender bias, lack of mentorship opportunities, and systemic challenges continue to limit women's access to leadership roles.

In recent years, we’ve seen positive strides with more female-led brands, women founders, and initiatives promoting diversity in leadership. However, there is still work to be done to ensure women not only have a seat at the table but also thrive in decision-making roles.

To drive meaningful change, we can:

While progress has been made, the fashion industry has the potential to lead by example in closing the gender gap at the executive level. By working together, we can ensure the future of Australian fashion is as inclusive and representative as the talent driving it.

 

5. What's one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?

One piece of advice I’d share is to embrace the mindset of “ask for forgiveness, not permission.” In fast-moving industries like fintech and retail, waiting for approval can sometimes mean missed opportunities. The most impactful leaders are those who take initiative, make bold decisions, and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

Of course, this doesn’t mean being reckless—it’s about having the confidence to trust your instincts, act decisively, and back yourself. Innovation happens when people push boundaries, test new ideas, and take calculated risks. Some of the best career moments come from stepping outside your comfort zone and making things happen, even before you have all the answers.

So, don’t hesitate. Be proactive, take ownership, and if something doesn’t go as planned, learn from it, adapt, and keep moving forward. The most successful people aren’t the ones who never make mistakes—they’re the ones who have the courage to try.

 

Keep an eye out for our final feature in celebration of International Women’s Day.

 

AFC Member, Brand & Manufacturing Forums in Melbourne

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

 

SESSION ONE: AFC MEMBER FORUM

TIME: 8.30am -10:30am

WHEN: Wednesday, 23 October, 2024

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

AFC MEMBERS RSVP HERE

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

 

SESSION TWO: AFC MEMBERS & MANUFACTURING FORUM 

TIME: 11.00am - 1.00pm

WHEN: Wednesday, 23 October, 2024

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

AFC MEMBERS RSVP HERE

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

 

WHY ATTEND AFC MEMBER FORUMS?

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

Networking: Connect with fellow members and industry leaders.

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

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

 

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

AFC’s Federal Budget Submission 2025-26

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has submitted its 2025-26 Federal Budget submission, urging the government to invest into Australia’s fashion and textile sector. This investment is critical to unlocking growth, supporting local jobs, and future-proofing the industry.

READ THE FULL SUBMISSION HERE.

OUR KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

The AFC has outlined strategic priorities across four key areas:

WHY THIS MATTERS

Australia’s fashion industry contributes $27.2 billion to the economy, exports over $7.2 billion annually, and employs 500,000 people – more than mining and utilities combined. Yet, we face supply chain pressures, skills shortages, and global competition.

These recommendations will help strengthen our industry, secure local jobs, and position Australia as a leader in ethical, sustainable, and innovative fashion.

TAKE ACTION

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

Join the Board Intelligent Planning Webinar! 

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

FIONA HOCHMUTH, CFO AT LORNA JANE

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

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

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

ELEONORE HAILLOT, INDUSTRY ADVISOR AT MICROSOFT PARIS 

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

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

EVENT DETAILS 

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

REGISTER NOW

 

ABOUT BOARD

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

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

Jobs & Careers in the Australian Fashion & Textile Industry: January

Looking to advance your career in fashion and textiles? Explore these exciting job openings today.

Zimmermann: Designer - NSW
Apply Here. 

Zimmermann: Junior Designer - NSW
Apply Here. 

bassike: Store Manager - VIC
Apply Here.

bassike: Assistant Store Manager - NSW
Apply Here.

THE ICONIC: Commercial Analyst - NSW
Apply Here.

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

Dear Australian Fashion Community,

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

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

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

The AFC's Strategic Agenda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warm regards,

Jaana Quaintance-James
CEO, Australian Fashion Council