Accessories industry to receive boost

Australia's accessories industry is to receive a shot in the arm through an international fellowship masterminded by skills organisation International Specialised Skills (ISS) Institute.
The Melbourne-based institute has garnered the services of renowned London bag and accessories designer Steven Harkin - who also teaches at the London College of Fashion - as the Victorian Government/ISS Institute Design Fellow.
ISS CEO Carolynne Bourne AM said the fellowship - funded by funded by Minister for Education and Training Lynne Kosky - would entail an accessories master class to provide participants with an understanding of European design and manufacturing principles.
"In Europe design/production teams are formed allowing designers and manufacturers to collaborate, where as in Australia the two disciplines are regarded as separate."
This had created a culture which "stifled" creativity and innovation, meaning the Australian fashion accessories market was almost wholly reliant on imports, Bourne said.
"Whether we're starting from scratch or re-working overseas designs there's missing link in Australia, which is about involving everyone along the supply chain - including the designer, manufacturer, tradesperson and consumer - in the design process. Market research is also missing [from the Australian approach]. You can't design and sell without doing the research," she said.
Harkin's master class - scheduled from April 23 to May 3 - will involve two-person teams consisting of one design and one manufacturing or production specialist.
Working to a defined brief and using set materials, they will produce a prototype for niche manufacturing.
"If you want to manufacture in Australia it's all about niche manufacturing."
Bourne said the long term aim of Harkin's master class was to revitalise the Australian accessories industry.
"To our knowledge there are currently no courses specialising in accessories currently available through TAFE. We're hoping for an outcome that will ultimately deliver accessories courses at TAFE and thereby get an onshore accessories industry up and running."
However, the principles behind the upcoming workshop were relevant to all sectors of the Australian fashion industry, she said.
"How can we have a future without a holistic approach?"