The Australian Fashion Council and ORDRE.com are thrilled to announce a new collaboration; AFC Virtual on ORDRE. The initiative seeks to support the Australian fashion industry in the face of the Covid-19 crisis, providing an online global platform for retail buyers to view and order from the latest Australian designer collections…
The Australian Fashion Council and global B2B virtual showroom platform, ORDRE.com, are joining forces to assist Australian designers during the unprecedented industry disruption of Covid-19.
Despite predicted reductions of global buying budgets by more than 50%, many international retailers are still preparing for the arrival of new Resort/Early-Summer stock in October-November 2020. Vast travel restrictions and lockdowns however mean that for many designers, the usual May/June presentation of Resort/Early-Summer collections in physical showrooms is no longer possible. The AFC Virtual X ORDRE platform will create an important business gateway and valuable opportunity for Australian designers by way of a virtual showroom to connect directly with buyers.
Commencing with the release of the Resort/Early-Summer collections of Australian designers in early May, buyers from across the globe will now be able to view these collections in a dedicated section of the ORDRE.com platform. Here, buyers will be able to review collections, make selections and place wholesale orders online, with access to individual designer virtual showrooms, product information and a range of digital images and videos.
>
“Australian designers have a unique position in the world of fashion combining the best of our country’s lifestyle attributes, an unassuming stylish flare and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. AFC Virtual X ORDRE is going to give brands an opportunity to showcase the best of their Resort/Early-Summer collections via the Ordre platform. Even though there is so much uncertainty right now, we must continue to innovate and look for ways to support Australian businesses in one of the toughest crises of our time. If we don’t do something together as an industry we could see a whole new generation of creative talent disappear into oblivion.”
Virtual showrooms have taken on a new urgency in the current environment without the possibility of physical contact between designers and their retail networks to conduct business.
Established in 2015 with operations in Paris, New York, London, Hong Kong and Melbourne, ORDRE.com’s technology is now being turned to by designers and retailers around the world to navigate these difficult times. The company has also developed ORB360 view technology that allows buyers to view products from every aspect and zoom in on all details.
>
“ORDRE.com’s original vision was actually created to assist industries like Australia who have always had to overcome the issues involved in travel to be able to present their collections to retailers. No one could have ever foreseen its current relevance in the face of this pandemic. It is fate to a certain extent that this technology is now well developed and ready to support the Australian industry in this time of crisis.”
Australian designers have always been first in the world to present Resort/Early-Summer collections on the international fashion week schedule. AFC Virtual X ORDRE will enable this tradition to continue playing to the strengths of the industry using the latest technology in an innovative way to overcome the challenges created by Covid-19.
_
THE OPPORTUNITY
Australian designers will be invited to establish virtual showrooms and continue the promotion of new season’s collections to retailers both domestically and internationally over the May-June period.
Each designer involved will have their independent virtual showroom under the AFC Virtual banner presented on ORDRE.com and promoted globally to retailers.
The timing will remain aligned with the Resort/Pre-Summer 20 buying season for deliveries in Oct/Nov this year.
For more information, and to apply, head to the link below.
© 2024 AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL All Rights Reserved
