Taking Australian fashion global

Grow your fashion business with Export Finance Australia

We are the Australian Government’s export credit agency. With our long and proud history, we are an integral part of Australia’s international trade focus – supporting fashion businesses, jobs and the community.

We support the innovators, the ambitious and the game changers. Through our loans, bonds and guarantees we enable Australian fashion businesses to take on export opportunities.

Whether you need finance to meet additional demand from international buyers, or build your presence in the global market, we could help grow your business.

This guide will help you understand:

■ The value of Australia’s fashion export industry,■ how to access finance to support your business growth,■ what you could do with export finance,■ how we’re helping businesses like yours, and■ resources and support available to help you.

2 | Taking Australian fashion global

A closer look at fashion exports

A diverse and lucrative retail sector exists beyond our borders for ambitious Australian fashion businesses wanting to build their presence in retail, wholesale or the online marketplace.

Demand for homegrown talent and raw materials is being driven by digitalisation and the general improvement of technology, availability of finance options, export agreements and favourable exchange rates.

Value of Australian fashion exports in 20191

David LaidlawDirector

Threebyone

“ Export Finance Australia allowed us to grow our business much quicker. It gave us the freedom to chase our growth and know that we can comfortably deliver on it. ”

1 Source: ABS, International Trade in Goods and Services, December 2019

$94mtravel goods

and handbags

$378mapparel and clothing

accessories

$122mfootwear

3 | Taking Australian fashion global

We’re here to help with finance

Australia’s retail industry is shifting. The impact of new technology is changing the way consumers shop and local retailers need to adapt to remain competitive.

This brings exciting opportunities for Australian fashion businesses to take their brand to the global runway. With Australia’s excellent industry reputation, innovative brands are meeting the demands of an evolving international retail sector. If your business is ready to support this growing market, Export Finance Australia could help.

We’ve supported Australian fashion brands like Camilla, Lee Mathews, Aje, and Threebyone break into international markets. Our finance solutions have helped them grow their overseas presence, take on more orders and expand their consumer base to new markets.

Want to know if we could help your business? Call us on 1800 093 724 or learn more about our range of finance solutions.

Camilla

Threebyone

Aje

4 | Taking Australian fashion global

Customers we’ve helped

AjeAje is an Australian fashion retailer specialising in ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, accessories and statement pieces.

Need

Aje has seen steady growth in the international market, and to capitalise on this opportunity, they needed finance to deliver purchase orders for multiple overseas retailers.

How we helped

A$350,000

Our Small Business Export Loan helped Aje fulfil their purchase orders, allowing them to strengthen relationships with their buyers and reach new customers in the USA, UK and Asia to further expand their market base.

ThreebyoneThreebyone is a denim design and wholesaling business for brands Neuw Denim, Rolla’s Jeans and Abrand Jeans.

Need

Threebyone needed working capital to export their products and expand their markets to the US, Europe and New Zealand.

How we helped

A$2.5m

We provided an Export Line of Credit which enabled Threebyone to support their product development and inventory requirements to meet its international wholesale orders, which was identified as a key growth area for the business.

Lee MathewsLee Mathews is an Australian fashion designer, manufacturer and retailer of high-end women’s clothing.

Need

Lee Mathews required financial support in order to keep up with demand from international wholesale customers and online retailers.

How we helped

A$1.7m

We initially provided a Small Business Export Loan, which helped Lee Mathews deliver orders to overseas buyers, predominantly in the US. Overtime, as their sales continued to grow, we also provided them with an Export Line of Credit to further support their rapidly expanding export business.

5 | Taking Australian fashion global

How we’re supporting Australia’s fashion export industry

In the last five years we provided the following support to our fashion business customers:

Unlocking finance for export growth

When you want to expand your business overseas, the costs associated with running your business, producing and warehousing your products and logistics can impact cashflow. To support your businesses’ growth and bridge any cashflow gaps, you may need to secure alternative sources of finance.

30transactions

18customers

$17mvalue of support

$74mvalue of export contracts supported

Stephen RaeDirector

Lee Mathews

“ This is a game changer for us. It was astonishing to me what an absolutely tremendous service Export Finance Australia has provided. What an incredibly essential factor it is to our success and we frankly could not have done this without them. I want everybody to know it! ”

Do you need finance to support your business? Like our customer Lee Mathews, we could help your business.

Lee Mathews

6 | Taking Australian fashion global

How we could help your fashion business

Financing your growth can be challenging, that’s why we’re here to help your business. Here’s what you could do with export finance:

Access working capital to meet demands from

international buyers

Expand your fashion supply-chain overseas

Set up a retail presence in an overseas location

Invest in e-commerce for international customers

Your fashion business is unique and so are your financial needs. We provide a range of finance solutions to suit your business:

Small Business Export Loan

Fast, unsecured loan to support a new export

opportunity

Export Contract Loan

A flexible loan structure tailored for your business

Export Line of Credit

A line of credit that can be drawn and repaid

multiple times

Overseas Direct Investment Guarantee

A guarantee to support your overseas expansion

Not sure which solution suits your needs? Call us on 1800 093 724 or visit our website for more information.

7 | Taking Australian fashion global

Case study: Camilla

Thanks to Export Finance Australia, Camilla continues to strengthen their vision to colour the world – one region at a time.

Global fashion label Camilla is renowned for its iconic silk kaftan range, resort wear and more recently, its ready-to-wear contemporary range. Camilla has been exporting for 10 years to some of the world’s biggest luxury retailers including Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Growing their overseas presenceAfter four years of online success in the US market, the brand decided to open two physical boutiques there – requiring significant investment by the company.

Their bank had limited appetite to finance overseas capital expenditure – so Camilla turned to Export Finance Australia to provide an alternative source of funding.

How we’ve helped“Export Finance Australia held our hands through the whole process,” said McNally. “They provided a A$2m

guarantee to our bank to underwrite the capital for our overseas expansion, including stock provisions.”

Christina Hollingsworth, Head of Retail, Camilla, says without Export Finance Australia, the brand would have been held back from following their vision to go into the US.

“They were very interested in the business and in our designs – and meeting all the team. They’ve been such a pleasure to deal with – and we’re really excited to work with them.”

The future for CamillaWith their two new US stores immediately outperforming even their most profitable Australian stores, Camilla’s future in the US looks promising.

Watch our Camilla video case study here.

Jane McNallyCEO

Camilla

“ Having Export Finance Australia’s support has given us the confidence to know we can open more stores in the US. ”

8 | Taking Australian fashion global

Support available

Export Finance AustraliaThe Australian Government’s export credit agency, providing finance solutions to Australian businesses, including international fashion businesses.

Visit exportfinance.gov.au call 1800 093 724 email info@exportfinance.gov.au

AustradeThe Australian Government’s trade and investment agency, providing you with practical advice, support and insight into many of the countries to which you’re looking to attract visitors from. Austrade provides information and advice to assist Australian companies to reduce the time, cost and risk associated with growing your international business, as well as Export Market Development Grants (EMDG).

Visit austrade.gov.au

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) AFC exists to promote the growth of the Australian textile and fashion industry. It focuses on strengthening supply chains, growing Australian exports, nurturing businesses, developing industry practices in ethical and sustainable product and fostering design and innovation.

Visit ausfashioncouncil.com

Export Council of Australia (ECA)The peak membership body for companies involved in international business. ECA provides education, support and assistance to help Australian companies succeed internationally.

Visit export.org.au

Want more information? We’ve developed a range of export-related eBooks:

■ Accessing Export-Related Finance■ Developing Your Export Strategy■ Protecting Your Intellectual (IP) Property

Overseas

Visit: exportfinance.gov.au/eBooks

9 | Taking Australian fashion global

Discover how Export Finance Australia could help your business take on the worldAs Australia’s export credit agency, we offer options by working with your bank to provide supplementary finance, or support when your bank may be unable to help.

To find out more about how we could help your business, go to exportfinance.gov.au or call 1800 093 724.

This information is of a general nature and has been prepared without taking account of your business needs, financial situation or objectives. The information does not comprise advice or a recommendation. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how this information relates to your unique circumstances. While Export Finance Australia endeavours to ensure this information is accurate and current at the time of publication, Export Finance Australia makes no representation or warranty as to its reliability, accuracy or completeness. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Export Finance Australia will not be liable to you or any other person for any loss or damage suffered or incurred by any person arising from any act, or failure to act, on the basis of any information or opinions contained in this document.

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