support career pathways for inclusive designers

We aim to run a free open-access upskilling program for the next generation of Australian fashion designers who put people and the planet first.

 

GOAL

 

To upskill fashion students and recent graduates from all backgrounds, boost employability, entrepreneurship, and confidence, and promote a cleaner and more inclusive industry amongst the future workforce and the wider Fashion community.

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

 

Sponsor up to 12 young people who are currently studying fashion design or have recently graduated within the last five years.

 

The initiative is designed to give students and recent graduates a real-world insight into selling directly to the public in a supportive environment and the skills required to engage confidently with consumers, buyers, the media, and the broader fashion community to provide future pathways into work.

 

OUR PROPOSAL

 

Hosting 6 to 7 facilitated learning sessions; this initiative looks to help participants identify their practice and processes.

 

The program culminates in participants selling their chosen work/collection over a weekend, in a pop-up retail space, during Melbourne Fashion Festival/Melbourne Design Week – in March.

 

 

To improve inclusivity and sustainability within the fashion industry, we welcome submissions from designers who focus on responsible and ethical design and incorporate any of the following into their practice :

 

 

We will offer:

 

 

Why?

 

We need to create more meaningful action and innovation around building a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable industry in light of :

 

 

 

Source: Australian Government -Department of Agriculture, Water & Environement (2021)

 

We Need Your Help

 

We need financing to build our program. Here's what we will be spending the money on:

 

 

$ 18,000 *to deliver the program with a facilitator and mentor, including life skills, industry-related talks, and the retail pop-up event.

 

$ 2,000 *to help cover insurance costs.

 

We are working on an NFP model to provide access and equity to applicants by offering this as a free open-access course.

 

Our future intention is to have a profitable arm of the business as a consultancy service.

 

 

Any donation is warmly welcomed.

 

About

 

Advocate and supporter of emerging and independent fashion designers, Julia Browne brings over 20 years of experience in the creative industries to the Melbourne Fashion Hub program.

 

Julia's career highlights include being a professional dancer, which included touring with MTV Europe and working in press and promotions for some of London's top PR & music industry labels (most notably, Acid Jazz Records, Exposure PR, and Universal Music).

 

Since moving to Australia, Julia has worked in event management and public programs at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Madman Entertainment, and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

 

More recently, she founded Style Shifter Media – a platform that provides styling advice, local fashion news, and a comprehensive calendar of upcoming Melbourne student runway shows.

 

As the founder of Melbourne Fashion Hub, her responsibilities include managing and delivering the program, carving out a unique new space, and engaging with emerging fashion talent within the local fashion community.

 

She is empathetic to the struggles artists face and passionate about supporting people within the creative community.

 

 

To learn more about us, please visit our website