The eagerly anticipated opening of an innovate fashion hub aimed at creative entrepreneurs is just weeks away.
Cutting-edge digital printing, body scanning and knitting machinery, together with seminars and workshops on the latest innovations in design, sustainability and technology, will be unveiled at Kangan Institute on March 30.
A federal minister is due to open the event and throughout the day there will be activities, machine demonstrations and an end of day fashion parade.
The facility, known as Textile and Fashion Hub, is a collaboration between AusIndustry, the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) and Kangan Institute, and is located at in Cremorne Street, Richmond.
The hub is the textile, clothing and footwear industry’s latest high-tech facility and is a space where small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can access resources, knowledge, new equipment, capital and experience.
The scheme is designed to help 'bridge the gap', allowing SMEs to utilise otherwise unaffordable new technologies, with the short run manufacturing model.
A TFIA spokesman said the aim is to create an environment for 'design driven entrepreneurs' to thrive, learn, connect and collaborate through state-of-the-art sampling production and an innovative design network.
“Through our ongoing research and dialogue with textile, clothing and footwear businesses, we will constantly expand and develop our exclusive schedule of industry-specific training, seminars and workshops, covering a range of valuable business and creative objectives,” a spokesman said.
The hub will also hold regular networking events
and exhibitions, often tying in with large industry events such as
the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival.