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.

 

Global Gateways Hong Kong 2025

The AFC’s first Global Gateways mission put Australian fashion on the world stage, with seven designers connecting directly with top buyers and media in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, the AFC delivered the first mission of Global Gateways - our new export program designed to drive growth in high-value markets - with seven incredible Australian designers leading the way.

The reception we received was extraordinary and across the week, our delegation shone on two stages:

First at a fashion diplomacy reception co-hosted with Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Consul-General in Hong Kong and Macau, Gareth Williams, where fashion’s convening power brought together government, business, buyers and media to spotlight Australia’s creativity and capability.

Then, at Centrestage, Asia’s premier fashion showcase, where the AFC Pavilion connected designers with global buyers from the likes of Lane Crawford, Harvey Nichols, Sugar (Italy), Beaker (Korea), Hankyu Hanshin (Japan), BEAMS (Japan), Galeries Lafayette China, ANCHORET (China), WDLT 117 Apparel Inc. (Canada) and more.

We also secured fantastic media coverage for our Australian designers in the likes of Vogue Hong Kong, South China Morning Post SCMP, ELLE HK, Cosmopolitan HK and Tatler HK, with strong engagement from KOLs across Hong Kong, China and Japan.

Our objective for Global Gateways is clear: to supercharge and create new export diversification opportunities for Australia’s $28 billion fashion and textile industry, which already exports $7.2 billion annually (more value than wine and beer combined).

Our week in Hong Kong not only confirmed the global appetite for Australian fashion - it reinforced that when government, industry and designers work together, cultural capital can be converted into commercial growth.

A huge thank you to our designers - BONDI BORN, Maara Collective, The Bond-Eye Australia Group, WEST 14TH, Re/lax Remade, Monika Branagan and Neuono - for representing Australian fashion with strength, and showcasing your ambition and formidable creativity.

To our partners - Investment NSW, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Hong Kong Airlines - thank you for helping put Australian fashion on the global stage. And finally, thank you to our production partner, At Liberty, for helping to bring our Australian vision to life.

This is just the beginning. Through Global Gateways, the AFC will continue opening doors for Australian designers in markets around the world - we can’t wait to see what’s next.

AFC International Regulation in fashion Webinar

You are invited to our next Experts & Insights Webinar on International Regulation, supported by City of Sydney. 

Melinda Tually, Director of Ndless: The New Normal will lead discussion with international experts on international fashion regulation and a high level summary of key pieces of legislation coming out of the EU Green Deal and the US including:

Date: 4pm AEDT, Wednesday 4th December 2024
Platform: Online, via Zoom
Open to: AFC members or City of Sydney businesses. See if your business is in the City of Sydney LGA here. 

Globally, the sector is facing a wave of transformative laws designed to address climate change, human rights risks and consumer protection. From green claims and product traceability to human rights due diligence and circularity, the shift from voluntary standards to mandatory regulation will be felt up and down the fashion supply chain requiring suppliers and brands alike to gain an understanding of this new compliance landscape.

REGISTER HERE