Craft QueenslandYoung Australian fashion impresses Singapore, Beijing and ShanghaiCraft Queensland has again been commissioned by Tourism Australia to present an expanded export program of contemporary Australian fashion for exhibition and market development in Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai, during March and April 2005. Nineteen (19) young designers from Queensland, Victoria and NSW presented their latest work in a series of collaborative events with Asian creative talents, to capture a slice of the rapidly growing Asian markets that is eager for contemporary Australian textile and fashion design. Feel the Light, celebrated Australian light, sky, and space through contemporary textiles, applied design and fashion accessories in high fashion and street wear. Fashion is one of the fastest growing areas within the creative industries, reflecting the blurred boundaries between art, design, performance, digital technologies and cutting edge manufacture. Jules Tognini, one of the Brisbane based designers, presented his LAD streetwear range and received an overwhelmingly positive response with follow up export sales. In addition he has negotiated a second major launch of his range in Shanghai for August 2005. His participation in Craft Queensland's export initiative has made Jules Tognini far more aware of the market potential for his designs.He says, "The Feel the Light contemporary fashion expo allowed me to present my collaborative design pieces toan international audience and gain insight and contacts into export opportunities in SE Asia and Europe. If you meet the right people at international events like Feel the Light, then doors can just fly open for young Australian designers."
Design by Alistair Trung 2004 |
With the assistance of VACS funding in 2004, Craft Queensland commenced development of export partnerships with Tourism Australia, and in that year exported the work of nineteen designers to Singapore. Repeating the project in 2005 has deepened their penetration into Asian fashion networks and opened up new partnerships. Feel the Light in 2005 built on Craft Queensland's fashion export drive to Singapore in 2004. Both events resulted in eager new audiences, contracts and retail sales, and important new opportunities and networks for Australia's young fashion designers. The designers could not have achieved these breakthroughs on their own. Coming together under Craft Queensland's banner gave them export training plus real experience of Asia's competitive markets. Two successful years of young fashion export to Asia has strengthened Craft Queensland's profile nationally and internationally. The VAC Strategy provided the stimulus and funding and we are confident that several young designers will develop long term export businesses as a result" claims Christine Ballinger, Executive Director of Craft Queensland.
Design by Alistair Trung 2004
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Member organisation of Craft Organisation Australia are supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments