The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has launched a new export program to help Australian fashion brands foray into the major international markets. Titled, ‘Global Gateways,’ the initiative's first mission will take place at Centrestage in Hong Kong from September 3-6, in partnership with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and with support from Investment NSW.

A delegation of seven Australian designers - Bondi Born, Maara Collective, bond-eye, West 14th, Re/lax Remade, Monika Branagan, and Neuono - will showcase their collections to buyers and media. The program includes business-matching and on-the-ground support to help the brands secure commercial deals.

Centrestage is a significant platform for expanding into Asia and beyond, attracting buyers from China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and the UAE.

The delegation will also participate in a cultural diplomacy event co-hosted with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to strengthen cultural and trade ties. This inaugural mission is further supported by Hong Kong Airlines, which is sponsoring flights for the designers to celebrate its new Sydney-Hong Kong route. This partnership symbolizes the new opportunities available for Australian fashion in one of the region's most influential trade centers.

According to Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO, AFC, Global Gateways is about embedding Australian fashion into the world’s most high-value markets. Hong Kong's strategic location as a re-export hub and its proximity to Australia proves as major advantages, she highlights.

The program comes at a critical time for the Australian fashion and textile industry, which generates $28 billion annually and employs nearly 500,000 people. With recent changes to US tariff policies increasing pressure on exporters, there's a strong need for diversified market strategies across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The AFC has positioned Global Gateways and Australian Fashion Week together to create a powerful year-round program that both brings international buyers to Australia and helps local brands expand globally.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, observes, Centrestage is an ideal meeting point for designers and brands, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a global fashion and cultural hub. Looking ahead, the AFC plans to expand Global Gateways in 2026 with a rolling schedule of in-market events and resources to support sustained commercial success for Australian brands.