'Access and Equity, Graduate Support, Inspired Design'
Free open-access program for Fashion students and graduates to take their brand to market
Melbourne, VICTORIA, 04/10/2021
Brand new creative venture, Melbourne Fashion Hub, is championing change for the local and international fashion industry with a free, open access support program for local student designers. The creative body is the first of its kind to offer talented students and graduates an opportunity to connect with a broader audience.
The program's key objective is to unite creatives at all levels and stages of their fashion journey, giving students and graduates business basics to start a brand as well as real-world experience selling directly to the public in a supportive retail environment. The elite contributions include an emphasis on sustainability, ethical, and inclusive fashion of all kinds.
'Demographically cut off from the rest of the world, with a small local marketplace, our designers face additional challenges to market entry," says Julia Browne, Founder of The Melbourne Fashion Hub. "Even though we have fantastic fashion councils and other support networks for when designers graduate, our infrastructure is relatively small in comparison to the other global fashion capitals."
With the rich, diverse, innovative, ethical, and inclusive voices that are coming from the students at our fashion institutions, it is vital that we promote these voices of our fashion's future. This initiative seeks to:
· nurture entrepreneurship in emerging designers, committed to the process of self-development to gain a better understanding of their practice and future career pathways.
· provide Melbourne creatives with greater visibility within the Australian and global markets.
The lack of education-to-business platforms for Australian fashion creatives is leading to talent pursuing careers overseas. Issues relating to overseas manufacturing, the global dilemma of fast fashion, as well as a mission by modern-day fashionistas to consume mindfully have left a gap in the market. Melbourne Fashion Hub aims to create a haven for buyers and customers alike to discover local talent and provide a bridge between designer and consumer.
