The Australian Fashion Chamber (AFC) is officially in business.
ragtrader.com.au broke news on the organisation earlier this year, following its involvement in the BT Emerging Designer Award.
Today, the AFC made its formal debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.
Led by Vogue Australia editor Edwina McCann, the not-for-profit organisation announced its board of directors and a program of activity for the year.
A small number of additional directors will be announced by mid-2014.
The current stable of executive directors include:
o Glen Schlenhuber, managing director, Tiffany & Co
o Karin Upton-Baker, former editor-in-chief and retail executive
o Kellie Hush, editor, Harper’s BAZAAR
o Leanne Whitehouse, managing director, Whitehouse Institute of Design
o Malcolm Carfrae, EVP global communications, Calvin Klein
The current lineup of non-executive directors include:
o Alicia Kemp, AMP Capital Shopping Centres
o Alison Veness, 10 Magazine
o Anthony Kendal, MyTheresa.com
o Carla Zampatti, Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd
o Karen Webster, RMIT
o Melissa Grace, The Woolmark Company
o Nancy Pilcher, creative consultant
o Nicky Zimmermann, Zimmermann
o Kara Hurry, marketing communications strategist
The AFC has been structured under a constitution which will see election of the board of directors by members at three year intervals.
First on the agenda will be a guest lecture series provided by the AFC’s board of directors.
The AFC will also introduce a network of industry mentors to Australia’s fashion universities, colleges and TAFE institutes.
Building upon this will be an international paid internship program in collaboration with the Australian Fashion Foundation to be introduced in December 2014.
A bi-annual training conference will be introduced in November 2014, providing fashion designers with advice.
A mentorship program is being built for access by members and designers who win award programs across the nation in which the AFC are involved.
The organisation will also introduce the Australian Fashion Chamber Awards, presented by AMP Capital Shopping Centres.
Nominations will open in July 2014.
McCann said further initiatives will be announced over the course of the year.
“With consistent mentoring, training and support we can build the Australian fashion industry to a greater scale than ever before.
“This is a very exciting time for Australian fashion. The board and I are committed to take our Australian talent to the world.”