Looking to start or expand your fashion label? Here’s where to begin

An opportunity to take your label to the next level.

For so many fashion designers, making the jump to start a label – or choosing to expand on an existing project – can feel like staring into an abyss. Designers can’t just design anymore – they also need to be able to manage their own marketing and PR, source high-quality materials, create a business plan, curate a brand identity, handle sales and shipping… With all that to do, there’s hardly any time left to create.

For those who feel ready to start a brand but aren’t sure where to start, it can be helpful to turn to others who’ve been in the same position. Happening at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Tuesday, November 21 to Thursday, November 23, the China Clothing Textile & Accessories Expo brings together industry leaders and newcomers alike to network and share knowledge. The expo will cover everything from the first steps of starting a business to developing a robust supply chain, meeting different manufacturers, to creating a cohesive, commercial collection.

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With a diverse seminar program and more than 850 exhibitors from across the regions of China and beyond, the conference not only gives visitors a chance to gain knowledge about the global fashion industry but also gives them access to almost 1000 suppliers under one roof with the experience to take their business to the next level.

Free to visit (you must register in advance), the China Clothing Textile & Accessories Expo is the ideal place to mingle with professionals in every sector of the fashion industry. With attendees including representatives from Asics, Bec + Bridge, Oroton, The Iconic, Assembly Label, Camilla and Marc and Cue, alongside almost every fashion retailer who produces offshore, you’re sure to be in good company.

This year’s seminar lineup dives into current fashion industry trends, with 11 impressive keynote speakers presenting over the three days of programming. Australian Retail Association CEO Paul Zahra is set to kick things off with a talk on identifying business opportunities during challenging economic times. It’s a particularly relevant topic right now, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to wreak havoc on our bank accounts and mental health.

Other exciting selections from the program include the Retail Industry Director of Microsoft Australia, Sanjay Prakash, who will explore the power of artificial intelligence in fashion marketing. Writer and Founder of Wardrobe Crisis, Clare Press, will be covering the future of environmentally-conscious fashion, and Outland Denim CEO James Bartle will discuss how he built a truly sustainable brand.

The expo isn’t just about clothing, either. Focusing on apparel, footwear, accessories, fabric and home textiles, it gives buyers and designers early access to the trends that are happening on the manufacturing side of things, allowing them to reconfigure and adjust their business practices to suit the ever-changing landscape.

For more experienced designers, it’s also an opportunity to figure out how to scale products effectively. The China Clothing Textile & Accessories Expo brings suppliers, artisans and supply chain experts all under one roof, right here in Australia.

You’ll be able to make new connections and assess the quality, texture and characteristics of different materials in person – because even the most meticulous construction can be foiled by the wrong fabric. There’ll also be opportunities to check out the newest textile manipulation innovations, like heat sealing and laser-punch technology.

China has a long and rich history with textiles. Multiple advanced dyeing and weaving techniques were invented in China – like the production of silk, which has led the country to be considered among the world’s pioneers in fabric technique and craftsmanship.

As a result of its vast labour force, competitive production costs and efficient supply chains, China has become the world’s largest exporter of textiles. In recent years, however, the country has shifted its focus onto other aspects of the fashion industry like research, development, design and branding. On the runway, there are some exciting names coming out of China like Susan Fang, Shushu/Tong, Yuhan Wang and Nodress.

To sign up for the China Clothing Textile & Accessories Expo for free, all you have to do is fill out your name and your business information and you’ll be granted access to everything the expo has to offer.

Open 10am daily from Tuesday, November 21 to Thursday, November 23 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. To register for free, head here.