Iconic Australian designer Jenny Bannister believes sluggish trading conditions can be traced to
herds "of polyester clad wilder beast".
ARE YOU ON DRIP FEED?
How many fashion businesses along the food chain are waiting to be paid?
Were you on the end of a voluntary administration affair where you never got paid?
If you are on drip payments, how do you know you will get the total owing to you?
It really gets on my nerves when a talented designer delivers a quality innovative product to a store, it sells out, the store orders more stock, but the store can't pay for the first delivery.
This constipates the whole production chain.
If we are talking proudly made onshore, there are a whole string of businesses missing out on doing and selling more.
The fabric and trimming supplier.
The manufacturer.
The pressers.
The couriers.
How may more additional people could I add to this list?
Unfortunately, this is forcing very skilled and talented fashion industry people to find jobs in other industries.
Hence we are losing the chance to buy and admire our own home grown design work.
Why have so many fashion schools in this country if it's not a sustainable career?
You may blame this shameful position we have on the GFC, cheap offshore imports, high rents, the labour government IR laws, lack of skilled workers, government loopholes in voluntary administration and so on.
My big question is, how can we get back on track?
There is a small sustainable movement of people trying to save the planet in their purchasing habits, paying more for quality, buying less and wearing it more often.
Love what you wear and wear it often, remember compliments each time your wear a favourite, loyal piece.
Offshore production is proving dangerous to all humanity not just workers in Bangladesh, or pollution in China.
How long will it take for the mass Australian consumer to realise that it's best to save our world resources versus a cheap top for Saturday night?
They might even find they look and smell more attractive than the herd of polyester clad wildebeest they portray themselves as currently!
Things are looking bleak here in Melbourne: makers are not getting paid, as well as designers!