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.

 

Media Release: Australian Fashion Council announces Paris showroom for Paris Fashion Week 2026

Supported by Austrade's Accessing New Markets Initiative and Create NSW, the AFC will open a dedicated Australian showroom at Paris Fashion Week in September, with applications open to emerging, established and First Nations designers from NSW and across Australia.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, [5th June, 2026]: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) together with NSW Government and Austrade today announced it will deliver its most significant international trade mission to date, establishing a dedicated Australian showroom at Paris Fashion Week Womenswear SS27 (28 September - 6 October 2026) as the next milestone in its Global Gateways export program.

The announcement follows a landmark week for AFC Australian Fashion Week 2026 presented by Shark Beauty, held 11-15 May at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, delivering 51 events including 32 runway shows from 39 Australian designers, alongside an international buyer and press delegation representing some of the world's most significant retail and media platforms. Australian fashion contributes $27.2 billion to the national economy, employs approximately 489,000 Australians (77 per cent of them women) and generates $7.2 billion in exports annually.

AFC’s Global Gateways: Paris 2026 will take up to 15 Australian designers to a centrally located showroom at Paris Fashion Week, supported by a structured pre-departure export readiness program, engagement at the Australian Ambassador's Residence, and a cocktail reception bringing together international buyers, press, and Australia's leading designers active in the Paris market during the week. The program is delivered with the support of Austrade through the Accessing New Markets Initiative's Trade Diversification Network, and Create NSW as part of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025-2028.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

“Australian Fashion is both a celebration of creativity and a very serious economic driver. In NSW, the fashion industry contributes $9.7 billion to the state economy and employs more than 174,000 people.

“That is why we were pleased to partner with the sector to develop the country’s first ever fashion sector strategy. During that process the number one priority industry put to us was the need for industry and governments to work together to grow export pathways for Australian designers. 

“Australian designers, with their iconic and fresh styles are already internationally sought after, but the truth is, we have more talent to share.”

Applications will open to designers and AFC members nationally across two pathways: an AFW Track for designers who presented at Australian Fashion Week in 2025 or 2026, and a national competitive application open to the broader AFC membership. The cohort will include both emerging and established designers, with dedicated places for First Nations designers. NSW designers are specifically supported through Create NSW's investment in the program, with places available for designers from across Australia through Austrade's Trade Diversification Network.

AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic said the Paris activation marks a structural step-change for how Australian fashion engages with global markets.

"Australian fashion has always had the talent. What has been missing is the infrastructure - the kind of coordinated, government-backed presence that takes designers beyond individual market forays and into sustained international relationships. Global Gateways: Paris 2026 is that infrastructure.

"AFC’s Australian Fashion Week, presented by Shark Beauty, saw international buyers from Al Tayer, Browns, Liberty, Net-A-Porter, Revolve and Selfridges saw what Australian fashion can do on home ground. In September, we take that offer to Paris - the single most concentrated buyer market in the world - and we do it as a national industry. This will be a significant moment for Australian fashion on the world stage and we look forward to working with our partners at Austrade and Create NSW to support the global growth of the Australian fashion sector.”

The program is supported by Austrade through the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), the Australian Government's $50 million export diversification program jointly delivered by Austrade and industry. The AFC is one of 40 national peak industry bodies selected to participate in ANMI's Trade Diversification Network, through which government and industry work together to design and deliver sector-specific export initiatives. The national reach of the Trade Diversification Network enables emerging, established and First Nations designers from across Australia to apply.

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said Australian fashion is a top export industry, supports nearly 500,000 Australian jobs, and that this is exactly the type of initiative the Trade Diversification Network was designed to enable during a challenging period in the global trading environment.

“Australia has just secured a landmark deal with the European Union, which opens up a market of around 450 million people, across 27 countries, to Australian designers.

“We want to see more Australian fashion on the streets and in stores across the globe. Getting more Australian designers in front of international buyers is not just good for the industry, it’s good for Australian jobs and the Australian economy.”

Jay Meek, General Manager, Trade Diversification Taskforce, Austrade, said: "The Trade Diversification Network was built on a simple premise: government and industry working together, using the combined reach of Austrade's global network and the sector knowledge of peak bodies like the AFC, to get more Australian businesses into more markets. Global Gateways: Paris is precisely the kind of activity the program was designed to deliver - structured, commercially focused, and built on a clear understanding of where global buyers are and what they need to see. Australian fashion has the product and the ambition, and we’re pleased to support its continued growth.”

Create NSW's investment in Global Gateways: Paris 2026 delivers directly against the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025–2028, Australia's first government fashion sector strategy developed in partnership with the AFC. Establishing international export pathways for NSW designers is a core strategic priority of the Strategy, with $250,000 allocated specifically to support emerging designers to grow their export markets. Funding in the Paris program is ring-fenced for NSW designer participation, with dedicated places for emerging, established and First Nations designers.

Applications are now open for Global Gateways: Paris 2026 on the AFC website here. The final cohort will be announced in July 2026, with the pre-departure export readiness program commencing immediately. The Paris showroom will run from 28 September to 6 October 2026.

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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 Council (AFC) Joins Austrade’s Trade Diversification Network (TDN)

Sydney, Australia - 13th January 2026: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has today announced its membership of Austrade’s Trade Diversification Network (TDN), following the announcement by Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, earlier this morning.

The Trade Diversification Network forms part of Austrade’s Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), a $50 million surge program jointly delivered by Austrade and industry to help Australian exporters diversify into new and emerging markets, and capitalise on global growth opportunities. Through the TDN, national peak industry bodies will partner with Austrade to design and deliver sector-specific export initiatives that support long-term trade resilience.

As Australia’s peak industry body for fashion and textiles, the AFC represents a $28 billion industry that employs almost 500,000 Australians - 77 per cent of whom are women - and generates $7.2 billion in exports annually, exceeding the combined value of Australia’s wine and beer exports.

As a member of the TDN, the AFC will work alongside Austrade to advance new and priority international markets for the sector, building on existing export momentum through its Global Gateways program and driving diversification through tailored, sector-specific initiatives that reflect the depth, capability and ambition of the Australian fashion and textile industry.

Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the Australian Fashion Council, said the AFC’s participation in the TDN further strengthens its ability to support members navigating an increasingly complex global trade environment, while reinforcing the industry’s position as a globally competitive export sector. 

“Joining Austrade’s Trade Diversification Network is a significant step forward for the Australian fashion and textile industry. It strengthens our ability to support members in navigating global complexity, while positioning fashion as a serious, competitive and resilient export sector for Australia. This partnership builds on the success of AFC’s Global Gateways initiative and strengthens AFC Australian Fashion Week’s role as a platform for international trade, not just visibility.” Ms Perkovic said.

Commenting on the Trade Diversification Network, Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, said: “Australia is a trading nation and we want to see more Australian exporters doing more trade with new and emerging partners across the globe in places like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Trade Diversification Network is a great example of government and industry working together to achieve a common goal: seeing Australian businesses diversify, grow, and build resilience. With one in four Australian jobs connected to trade, by helping our exporters we are securing jobs, building communities, and benefiting the Australian economy.”

The AFC’s membership of the TDN builds on the demonstrated success of its Global Gateways program, with the September 2025 Hong Kong pilot connecting seven Australian designers with international buyers and media through a high-impact, targeted in-market engagement. Through the TDN, the AFC will scale Global Gateways into new markets, working with Austrade to deliver export opportunities aligned to the commercial and creative dynamics of the fashion and textile sector.

Alongside the TDN, the AFC reaffirmed the role of Australian Fashion Week as Australia’s national platform for international trade and export engagement, providing a critical opportunity to showcase Australian design and creative excellence to global buyers, partners and media.

Over the coming weeks, the AFC will work closely with Austrade to progress trade diversification priorities under the Trade Diversification Network, including advancing and refining international opportunities and pathways for Australian fashion and textile businesses. This work will directly inform the next phase of the AFC’s 2026-27 Global Gateways program, which will support more members in building export capability, deepening international connections, and capitalising on global growth opportunities across priority markets.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Elizabeth Anderson

Head of Policy and Communications, AFC

eanderson@ausfashioncouncil.com | +61 424 991 231

 

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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.