MELBOURNE: A pledge to provide a $4.3 million boost to Victoria's fashion industry features a scheme to lure international buyers to domestic fashion week events.
At the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) launch this week, Victorian Industry and Trade Minister Jacinta Allan said if elected, the Labor government would provide $4.3 million dollars to the industry.
This would include $200,000 to develop an annual program of inbound buyer visits to coincide with LMFF, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) and other events.
The funding package would also include $1 million towards expanding the LMFF 2011 event, with the purpose of having a stronger regional and industry development focus. It would support a 'Decades of Fashion' retrapsective to celebrate the event's 15th anniversary.
Around $2 million of the pledge would be assigned to rolling out pop-up designer stores at peak fashion periods, with the purpose of assisting emerging designers.
A sum of $100,000 would be provided to sponsor the 2011 MSFW in order to develop and contribute to the Business Networking Series.
The funding would also include $1 million to kickstart the development of a National Centre for Fashion and Design.
Allan said the 2010 installment of LMFF injected $63 million into Victoria’s economy and attracted crowds of more than 422,000 consumers.
“Our fashion industry is big business - Victoria’s textile, clothing and footwear industry employs approximately 20,000 people and generates sales and service income of around $3.9 billion,” she said.
At the launch, new LMFF creative director Grant Pearce announced that the 2011 event will have a refreshed, theatrical opening event. He also revealed that Australian actress Melissa George will be the ambassador.
LMFF has also announced the first global experts to attend the festival in March. These include ACNE Studios chief executive officer Mikael Schiller, and Havas Worldwide global chief executive officer David Jones.
In 2011, the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival will enter its 15th year. It will be held from March 14 to 20, 2011.