The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has opened applications for its next international trade mission, placing seven Australian brands at Centrestage in Hong Kong from September 2 to 5, 2026.
Titled Global Gateways: Hong Kong 2026, the mission is the second market in the AFC's broader Global Gateways export platform, following a 2025 Hong Kong trip that generated more than 115 buyer connections. It also runs alongside a recently announced Paris activation, with up to 15 designers set to showcase at Paris Fashion Week's Womenswear SS27 segment later this year.
The Hong Kong program includes a three-day trade show pavilion, export readiness education, buyer matchmaking, and structured follow-up to sustain in-market momentum. Events for media, government partners, and key opinion leaders are also included.
Both missions are powered by the Accessing New Markets Initiative, a $50 million export diversification program jointly delivered by Austrade and industry, through the Trade Diversification Network. The AFC is one of 40 national peak industry bodies selected to participate in the network.
The AFC shared that the Hong Kong mission responds directly to export diversification needs raised by members following recent US tariff exposure.
Jay Meek, the general manager of the Trade Diversification Taskforce at Austrade, said the program brings structured commercial access to the markets that matter most in the region.
"Asia presents significant export diversification opportunities for the Australian fashion industry, including Hong Kong," Meek said. "Australian fashion has the product, and we're pleased to help position it in one of Asia's most important fashion hubs."
AFC executive chair Marianne Perkovic said the 2025 mission demonstrated the model's effectiveness.
"Hong Kong proved what Global Gateways can do: in-market presence, government backing and a united Australian front turned visibility into real buyer relationships across Asia," Perkovic said. "In 2026, we are scaling that success, giving more Australian designers a structured pathway into one of the world's most important regions for fashion."
Selection is AFC member-first and assessed across export readiness, commercial viability, collection strength, and capacity to convert buyer engagement into wholesale outcomes. Brands participate with virtually no upfront cost.
Applications are open until July 13, 2026 via the AFC website.