Fashion industry launches Australian mark

Overseas consumers have trouble defining Australian fashion, and a well-recognised trademark could fix that, according to the chief executive of the Australian Fashion Council.

"We feel like this trademark and the campaign behind it will help identify exactly what we represent," Leila Naja Hibri told AAP.

It will stand for "effortless style, raw nature, boundless optimism and fearless innovation", as well as a progressive social and environmental outlook, Ms Naja Hibri said.

The trademark, which will be a digital marker rather than a clothing tag, was funded by just under $1 million in government money and launched at Sydney Fashion Week on Monday.

To qualify for the Australian Fashion trademark, brands must meet at least two out of five criteria - being Australian made, Australian owned, paying tax in Australia, with majority Australian employees, and contributing to jobs and the local economy.

Ms Naja Hibri said she was confident the rules would be tough enough to disqualify overseas competitors, with only a selective group of truly Australian brands able to qualify.

Regular audits of the certification would not be necessary, according to Ms Naja Hibri, who was confident an honour system would work for the small domestic industry.

The trademark launch comes as a report for the Fashion Council by accounting firm EY shows the industry could grow by about $11 billion in the next decade, adding 86,000 jobs, to be worth $38 billion by 2032 .

The Council wants another $69 million in government funding to promote the trademark internationally, build manufacturing capabilities, fix skill gaps, and build a circular clothing economy.

The certification would be free for the first year, after which brands will have to pay licensing fees.

Australian Associated Press