Australian buy now pay later service Afterpay, has revealed it is finalising a sponsorship agreement with the Australian Fashion Council.
Afterpay's sponsorship of the AFC will provide much needed support for Australian designers and brands as they progress towards recovery and revival and will also help to strengthen a number of AFC’s programs and initiatives in this space.
The news follows Thread Together's announcement that Afterpay has come on board as principal partner, further demonstrating the BNPL's commitment to the Australian fashion industry.
AFC CEO Leila Naja Hibri said that Afterpay's support will help the organisation execute the final phase of its fashion recovery plan.
"To date, the AFC have had a multi-phase approach to dealing with COVID-19; starting in mid-March with several initiatives aimed at helping the industry survive the initial crisis.
"We are now in the midst of executing the Recovery phase which will focus on giving the industry tools, including AFC Virtual and the Recovery Webinar Series that are directed at picking up the pieces and getting back into gear in preparation for Revival.
"This last phase will see us working with key stakeholders like Afterpay to help shape a thriving future for our industry.
"Together we will do this by establishing a 'Disruptive Collaborative Collective' built on a 'People and Planet First' ethos, founded on creativity, adaptability, innovation, sustainability and diversity," she said.
Afterpay CEO Anthony Eisen added that the business wanted to help the industry get back on its feet following extended disruption.
"We are excited by our sponsorship of the AFC and the support we can provide to Australian fashion designers and brands to recover and strive post COVID-19.
"Australian fashion is in our DNA and we want to ensure we do everything possible to back our fellow Australians," he said.