Cairns Regional Council approves $25k funding for Cairns Fashion Week

A highly-anticipated fashion event planned for June has been boosted by a large amount of council cash.

The inaugural Cairns Fashion Week event was given a helping hand by the Cairns Regional Council after a unanimous vote on Wednesday to provide $25,000 to the program.

The event, to be held at the Tanks Arts Centre over five days in June, will include workshops and symposiums led by fashion industry experts and will help promote the work of local fashion designers.

Event organiser Jade Hoskin was delighted to hear the news.

Cairns Fashion Week organiser Jade Hoskin. Picture: Supplied

“It’s incredible. To have support from the council is phenomenal,” Ms Hoskin said.

“All the funds will be going directly back into the event for venue hire.

It’s definitely going to be of benefit to the region. It’s the largest show of its type to be held in FNQ. We’ll have artists who’ve showcased on national and international levels.”

The funding support also included $5000 cash for an independent economic impact assessment.

A report before the council – prepared by Holly Barker, a council program leader for economic events – said the initiative aligned with council’s strategy to support events that delivered economic impact and fostered community pride.

Cairns Fashion Week will be held at the Tanks Art Centre in June. Picture: Supplied

A council spokesman said the Cairns Fashion Week is expected to attract up to 2200 visitors with at least 550 of those coming from outside Cairns LGA who are likely to stay in the region for five nights.

“Based on that assessment, the event would have a $1.1m impact on the Cairns economy,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Cairns Regional Council approves $25k funding for Cairns Fashion Week