The Minns Labor Government, in partnership with leaders from the NSW fashion industry, has just released the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy.
This is the first of its kind strategy in Australia.
According to an announcement by the government, NSW designers are the heart of Australia’s multi-billion-dollar fashion industry with $7.2 billion export revenue generated annually. Nationally, this represents 1.7 per cent of all Australian exports.
The strategy includes six key priorities, including a skills and training review, the establishment of both an Australian fashion hub and a fashion and clothing smart factory, championing Australian Fashion Week, international exposure opportunities for NSW designers and connecting audiences with Australian fashion.
Within the priorities, the state government will launch three key funding programs to support and develop emerging talent. This includes $250,000 to support emerging designers to develop export markets by showcasing their designs at the largest international industry trade show.
Meanwhile, $300,000 will go towards supporting NSW First Nation fashion and designers' shows at Australian Fashion Week, with a further $200,000 in quick response grants to support designers with purchasing critical equipment.
Alongside this, the government has established a working group to manage this strategy. It is co-chaired by Carla Zampatti CEO Alex Schuman and former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief and now editorial director at News Corp, Edwina McCann.
Six other industry players form part of the group, including Camilla and Marc creative director Marc Freeman; Powerhouse Museum CEO Lisa Havilah; fashion designer Alix Higgins; First Nations designer Grace Lillian Lee; Romance Was Born co-founder Anna Plunkett; UTS Professor of Landscape Architecture Elizabeth Mossop and Australian Fashion Council CEO Jaana Quaintance-James.
The announcement was led by John Graham, Minister for the Arts, Music and Night-Time Economy, alongside fellow ministers Steve Kamper, Anoulack Chanthivong and Steve Whan.
“NSW, and particularly Sydney, has long led the way for the Australian fashion industry,” Graham said. “Generations of ground-breaking Sydney designers are not just Australian success stories but are consistently highly sought after internationally by global taste makers and wider retail markets.
“Beyond the glamour of fashion, it's a complex sector that has a 77 per cent female workforce and represents 1.7 per cent of all Australian exports.
“Despite the cultural and economic impact of the sector, this is the first time a government has developed a strategy recognising its importance and planning for growth.”
In NSW, the fashion industry contributes $9.7 billion to the state economy and employs more than 174,000 people.
Kamper – who is Minister for Tourism and Jobs – added that the fashion industry is a complex ecosystem of design, textile, manufacturing, retail and education and training – generating 174,000 jobs in the state.
“Sydney has always been the home of Australian Fashion Week, and I’m pleased it will continue to be,” Kamper said. “It’s a natural fit – Sydney is the home of fashion, and our stunning city provides a beautiful backdrop for our world-class designers.
“Australian Fashion Week puts Sydney on the map with international taste-makers and influencers, and showcases our talents as well as our good looks.”
Co-chairs Schuman and McCann said the fashion industry in NSW is not just a major economic driver but is also a cultural force that showcases the state’s creativity and global influence.
“This strategy addresses critical areas within the business of fashion, including innovation, sustainability, workforce development and market access,” the pair said. “It is designed to foster a vibrant, globally competitive fashion industry in New South Wales, while ensuring that local businesses and creatives succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape.”
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore also weighed in, saying the City of Sydney’s cultural and economic strategies identify the importance of creative professionals not only to the city’s economy, but also its identity as a global city.
“We are excited to partner with the NSW Government, UTS and the fashion industry so creative communities and industries remain a key pillar for our future.”
Further information on the strategy has been shared on the NSW Government website.