Coronavirus: Made in Australia is back in fashion

Made in Australia could become a status symbol for local fashion brands once more.

Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti will take part in a roundtable discussion about the future of the local industry. Picture: John Feder

Made in Australia could become a status symbol for local fashion brands once more.

On Wednesday the federal government will hold its first roundtable with leaders from the Australian fashion industry to help secure its future as the COVID-19 crisis subsides, with a focus on local manufacturing.

Industry, Science­ and Technol­ogy Minister Karen Andrews­, who will chair the meeting, says she is “absolutely committed to ensuring the local fashion industry is not left behind” as the Australian economy recovers.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the fashion industry­, disrupting how they do business and exposing gaps in local supply chains,” she said.

“With retail stores closed and Aussies with few places to go, the fashion industry has faced an unpreceden­ted drop in sales. That’s left local manufacturers and businesses staring down the barrel of an uncertain future.”

The meeting follows a survey last month by the Australian Fashion Council of more than 200 fashion businesses in Australia, with regards to the impact of the crisis.

AFC chief executive Leila Naja Hibri said a key takeout from the survey was “a renewed appetite for re-establishing a local manufacturing presence based on upskilling, innovation and enterprise”.

The survey also flagged a review­ of procurement guidelines around uniforms for government departments, such as police and fire services, which will also be on today’s agenda.

“Why don’t we start with the government buying from the local industry? That is an opportunity right there,” Ms Naja Hibri said.

She is also keen to discuss incentives­ and subsidies. “We are not talking about a handout, but incentives to actually encourage brands who don’t manufacture here to start manufacturing here, and to protect the brands that do manufacture here so they keep doing it,” she said.

According to anecdotal information from the AFC, less than 5 per cent of local brand clothing is manufactured in Australia.

The roundtable will include a discussion on spreading awareness of Australian-made fashion.

Along with academics and industry­ leaders, designer Carla Zampatti and representatives from other locally produced brands Nobody Denim and Cue, the country’s largest fashion manufacturer, will take part in the discussion.