The all day Fashion Export Briefing and Cluster Workshop provided Australia’s up and coming designers with important export know how about the do’s and don’ts when developing a successful and viable fashion business.

The designers took: “their first export steps in exploring emerging markets,” said NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner, who was present at the workshop.

He said the class aimed: “to increase designers’ understanding of ‘how it is’ in the real world by sharing their own experiences through clustering and learning first-hand from local and international experts.”

The collaboration is believed to be an important stepping stone in creating a much needed supportive network for emerging talent to grow and thrive in fashion export success.

The fashion industry in NSW alone employs an estimated 66,000 people across wholesaling, retailing and design, with a generated sales and service income of approximately $7.4 billion each year.

“37 percent of Australia’s creative industries are based in NSW, with around 150,000 people in NSW directly employed in this sector in the areas of film, music, design and fashion,” said Stoner.

“I was delighted to open the inaugural Fashion Export Briefing and Cluster Workshop recently, which was a great opportunity for emerging designers to learn from the experts. Behind the glitz and glamour of Fashion Week, a lot of hard work goes in to ensuring designers are export-ready.

“The NSW Government, through NSW Trade and Investment, is proud to support the NSW fashion industry, which plays an important role in both the State’s economy and Sydney’s role as a creative capital,” added Stoner.

Stephen Laundy from UK’s Fashion Compass, Jarrad Clark, director of IMG and Project Runway judge, and David Bush, the general manager of David Jones shared their priceless wisdom to the fashion enthusiasts at the workshop.