NEW ZEALAND: Industry association Fashion Industry New Zealand (FINZ) is hoping to get New Zealand fashion brands on the move.
The not-for-profit group aims to better aid the New Zealand's fashion sector by launching a series of new initiatives targeted at making market entry easier for New Zealand apparel exporters.
The first step of the program kicked off last month when FINZ launched an online survey seeking responses to questions such as what markets are businesses currently exporting to and what markets are they hoping to enter.
The next stage will see the group hosting an export "reality check" seminar aimed at making fashion exporters make more informed decisions about selling into offshore markets.
The seminar, held July 23 in Auckland, features guest presentations from some of the leading lights in the New Zealand fashion scene including Air New Zealand Fashion Week managing director Pieter Stewart, Verge director Ian Webster, Federation Clothing CEO Nick Clegg and Ingenio principal Stefan Preston.
Currently Australia takes the lion's share of New Zealand's apparel exports, accounting for more than 70 per cent of all Kiwi TCF exports.
FINZ executive director Mapihi Opai said international buyers were continually on the lookout for new and exciting labels, but the country's fashion export markets were changing.
"The challenges are mounting, even for our nearest and dearest across the Tasman. You can't assume that what you've always done will continue to work in the current economic climate and beyond," Opai said.
For more: finz.co.nz