The Textile & Fashion Hub is a collaboration between the Australian Government/AusIndustry, Kangan Institute and TFIA. A space for SMEs to conveniently access resources, knowledge, leading edge equipment, capital and experience from a central Hub.

Our aim is to create an environment for design driven entrepreneurs to thrive – to learn, connect and collaborate through a state of the art sampling production and innovative design network. A place to play in a supportive fashion where sustainable practices and efficient product development are encouraged and free thinking is combined with a variety of high level skills and knowledge so that businesses can grow and new markets can be explored with confidence and originality.

A detailed list of the equipment and facilities at the Hub can be found here. Below is an outline of activity and programs that will be available to Hub participants: 

PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

Through our ongoing research and dialogue with textile, clothing and footwear businesses, we will constantly expand and develop our exclusive schedule of industry-specific training, seminars and workshops, covering a range of valuable business and creative objectives. We will hold regular networking events and exhibitions, often tying in with large industry events such as the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, and establishing the most interesting and relevant topics and speakers both locally and internationally.

CLUSTER NETWORK

In support of the Textile & Fashion Hub, TFIA has introduced a network of clusters to increase collaboration throughout the industry and to make recommendations on equipment needs, training and business opportunities to the Textile & Fashion Hub. These clusters are made up of industry professionals addressing issues openly, working on exciting new projects together and finding solutions to the issues they face.

TFIApp

TFIApp is a mobile sourcing tool for both providers and purchasers in the Australian TCF industry. Listing is available to all TFIA members and Textile & Fashion Hub registrant businesses. We are creating the first relevant and quality directory of the fashion industry, mapping out the fashion precincts giving greater visibility to all its members.

DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN

As part of the Hub, we are connecting a national network of entrepreneurs and manufacturers via a digital infrastructure working to create a better TCF product and process and are building industry specific formal workplace learning programs to meet market demands with flexibility.

HUB FILES

The knowledge we create and gather will be captured through the ‘Hub Files’ - a portal for the industry. This will be an important platform to document activity generated through the Hub and capture the latest research and information assisting in our aim to facilitate learning and improved practices. It will use a lot of video content and be a visually capturing design. Coming soon.

SHORT RUN MANUFACTURING MODEL

The traditional retail model of big fashion business does not have the structure to fully derive a customised product from new technologies. At the other extreme, smaller fashion businesses - which incidentally represent the majority - are better placed but lack the resources. The Textile & Fashion Hub will bridge this gap allowing SMEs to utilise otherwise unaffordable new technologies with the short run manufacturing model. 

The Textile & Fashion Hub stakeholders: