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The Australian Fashion Council has issued a call to review the domestic fashion calendar, as COVID-19 forces businesses to re-evaluate their supply chains. 

The Council has issued a survey tackling three areas including a review of the fashion calendar to trade in sync with end customers, the restructuring of fashion show formats and the tackling of markdowns to reduce promotional cycles.

It comes as retailers and designers battle a glut in inventory following lockdowns. 

According to analytics firm GlobalData, COVID-19 has seen an entire season wiped out due to pandemic disruption. 

GlobalData apparel correspondent Hannah Abdulla confirmed flexible calendars will be a key area moving forward.

“The repercussions of the pandemic on the global apparel industry has forced it to think differently," Abdulla said. 

"Many businesses are scrutinising their supply chains and evaluating where they can make changes to be better going forward and avoid a repeat of the impact COVID-19 has had on their firms.

"Supply chain resilience is going to be top-of-mind.

“What that will inevitably mean for garment makers looking to retain business and secure new orders is a willingness to offer more flexibility.

"Last-minute orders and smaller order volumes is the sort of thing they can look to expect as retailers aim to avoid drowning in excess inventory as has been the case in recent months."

The move towards more sustainable manufacturing will also be key, according to Abdulla. 

“They will also need to move with the times. Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’, it is now an essential part of business, for everyone, everywhere.

"Manufacturers will need to shout about the changes they are making in terms of sustainable production, whether that is using less water, sustainable finishes or use of preferred fibres; sustainability matters.

"Currently trending is antibacterial and antimicrobial finishes as hygiene and virus prevention becomes a priority among consumers.”

In an interview with ragtrader.com.au this year, Australian womenswear brand Macgraw vowed to streamline fashion seasons.

Founders Beth and Tessa MacGraw announced their label will no longer adhere to the fashion calendar, arguing "it is meant to serve us but stifles us instead." 

Rumblings of seasonal reductions have gained momentum in recent months, with COVID-19 forcing the global fashion industry to assess its structure among significant disruption. 

Luxury label Gucci has announced that it will revert to two collections per year, while Saint Laurent has also stated it will not follow a fixed calendar for the rest of 2020 at least. 

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