Lord Mayor Sally Capp backs local fashion makers
They’ve become Melbourne’s newest fashion accessory. Now Lord Mayor Sally Capp says encouraging local fashion makers, like those creating reusable face masks, could help revitalise the ailing city centre.
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Lord Mayor Sally Capp has flagged efforts to lure local fashion makers to Melbourne’s CBD.
Ms Capp told the Sunday Herald Sun her high-powered advisory board, set up to help the city’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, would look at how to support small-scale manufacturing.
The speed with which fashion businesses had adjusted to make reusable masks was proof they could adapt and thrive.
“This is one example of how agile businesses can be when the circumstances require rapid change,” Ms Capp said.
“We want to encourage these businesses to consider a longer term future in manufacturing high-quality garments and goods made right here in Melbourne.
“We expect there to be a major increase in demand for locally sourced manufactured goods such as clothing, fashion accessories through to fixtures and fittings.
“New manufacturing technologies mixed with artisan craftsmanship could become catalysts for the creation of new jobs here in Melbourne.”
Ms Capp said she wanted to hear from small businesses which had adapted their operations through the pandemic.
“My grandfather was a milliner in Flinders Lane so I know how rich our city’s manufacturing history is,” she said.
“We always want to remain a city that makes things that people want and need in their lives.
“We want to understand the types of support and incentives these businesses need to scale up and be more successful.
“Melbourne has always been an internationally recognised city for fashion and design so we should use this crisis to recapture some of the jobs we were famous for in past generations.”
The Lord Mayor’s advisory board — which includes businesswoman Elizabeth Proust, NGV director Tony Ellwood and logistics magnate Lindsay Fox — this week discussed the idea of Melbourne hosting a footy grand final-style event for the world’s best gamers once restrictions ease.
Turning empty office towers into apartments and hosting pop-up performances in city parks to help businesses through the virus aftermath are also proposals being examined.
The number of people in the city has fallen from about a million a day to as few as 50,000.
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