The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has defended the latest shakeup of its ranks.
As reported on ragtrader.com.au earlier this week, former executive Julia Haselhorst issued an email to industry members revealing a spate of redundancies at the organisation.
Haselhorst said the overhaul was due to a "turbulent fashion climate" and an association reliant on industry membership and contributions.
The shakeup also followed the loss lost long-serving executives Jo Kellock and Paula Rogers last year.
Newly appointed chief executive Kiri Delly said the Council was simply changing its existing business model.
“Our focus is on advocacy and education and we will provide a strong platform for everyone within the sector to leverage off.
We are committed to affecting government policy mindsets that have the TCF [textiles, clothing and footwear] as a declining industry when Australian brands are confounding this old policy thinking with national and international success.”
“We have made some significant changes to our operational model to ensure our member resources are utilised to maximise return on their support and investment.
"Unfortunately this has meant releasing quality people, and refocusing resources to advocacy and education.”
Delly confirmed former chief executive Richard Evans had been moved to the position of director, government and corporate affairs.
TFIA president Dave Giles-Kaye said the organisation has now restructured.
“The Board accepted Richard’s recommendations for restructure, and it has taken significant action to alter the business model into a more relevant organisation."
A new organisation led by Vogue Australia's Edwina McCann, Australian Fashion Chamber, is reportedly in the works, with further details set to be announced in March.