Global Gateways: Australian designers elevated to an international stage

Supported by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, the Australian Fashion Council's Global Gateways program will propel the next generation of fashion talent into international markets.

AFC's Global Gateways: Paris 2026 will support Australian designers to reach new markets and build sustainable pathways to long-term international success. This new collaborative initiative has been established in response to industry's key feedback in the development of the country's first ever fashion sector strategy.

Nationally, fashion contributes $27.2 billion to the economy, employs approximately 489,000 people (77 per cent women) and generates $7.2 billion in annual exports. The Commonwealth and NSW Governments are working together to open new market opportunities for the industry.

AFC's Global Gateways: Paris 2026 will take up to 15 Australian designers to a centrally located showroom at Paris Fashion Week Womenswear SS27. The initiative is jointly supported by the Commonwealth Government, through Austrade's Accessing New Markets Initiative's Trade Diversification Network, and the NSW Government's NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025-2028.

Building on the learnings of the then Australian Fashion Chamber's Australian Designers Abroad Showroom and networking program, the AFC will deliver the Global Gateways: Paris program. Alumni of the earlier initiative, which operated in Paris from 2015 to 2019 included Bassike, Romance Was Born, Camillia & Marc, Ginger & Smart, PE Nation, Michael Lo Sordo and Christopher Esber.

AFC's Global Gateways: Paris 2026 marks a structural step-change for how Australian fashion engages with global markets. Participating designers will be prepared with a structured predeparture export readiness program; engagement with the Australian Embassy; and a reception bringing together international buyers, press, and Australia's leading designers active in the Paris market.

This structured support will bridge the gap for Australian designers trying to expand their export markets. The showroom will facilitate Australian designers to build their profile, expand networks internationally and equip designers with the business capabilities and buyer relationships that enable them to enter new markets, increasing the export value of the state's fashion industry.

The Australian Government is supporting this initiative through Austrade's $55 million export diversification program, Accessing New Markets Initiative. The AFC is one of 40 national peak industry bodies selected to participate in the Trade Diversification Network, through which government and industry work together to design and deliver sector-specific export initiatives.

The NSW Government's investment delivers on the commitment to establish international export pathways for NSW designers as a core strategic priority of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025- 2028, Australia's first government fashion sector strategy developed in partnership with the sector.

Up to nine NSW-based emerging, First Nations and established designers, are specifically supported through the NSW Government's $250,000 investment in the program.

Applications for the Australian showroom at Paris Fashion Week Womenswear SS27 will open to designers nationally across two pathways:

• Priority Track for designers who presented at Australian Fashion Week in 2025 or 2026, and
• A national competitive application

Designers will be assessed against criteria, including export readiness, commercial viability in the European market, collection strength, operational capability, and capacity to convert buyer engagement into wholesale outcomes. Participants will receive support throughout the program, including before and after Paris.

Minister for the Arts John Graham said:

"Australian Fashion is both a celebration of creativity and a very serious economic driver. In NSW, the fashion industry contributes $9.7 billion to the state economy and employs more than 174,000 people.

"That is why we were pleased to partner with the sector to develop the country's first ever fashion sector strategy. During that process the number one priority industry put to us was the need for industry and governments to work together to grow export pathways for Australian designers.

"Australian designers, with their an iconic and fresh styles are already internationally sought after, but the truth is, we have more talent to share."

AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic said:

"Australian fashion has always had the talent. What has been missing is the infrastructure - the kind of coordinated, government-backed presence that takes designers beyond individual market forays and into sustained international relationships. Global Gateways: Paris 2026 is that infrastructure.

"This years Australian Fashion week, saw international buyers from Al Tayer, Browns, Liberty, NetA-Porter, Revolve and Selfridges saw what Australian fashion can do on home ground. In September, we take that offer to Paris - the single most concentrated buyer market in the world - and we do it as a national industry. This will be a significant moment for Australian fashion on the world stage and we look forward to working with the Commonwealth and NSW Governments to support the global growth of the Australian fashion sector."

Jay Meek, General Manager, Trade Diversification Taskforce, Austrade said:

"The Trade Diversification Network was built on a simple premise: government and industry working together, using the combined reach of Austrade's global network and the sector knowledge of peak bodies like the AFC, to get more Australian businesses into more markets. "Global Gateways: Paris is precisely the kind of activity the program was designed to deliver - structured, commercially focused, and built on a clear understanding of where global buyers are and what they need to see. Australian fashion has the product and the ambition, and we're pleased to support its continued growth."