The Monthly Edit | September 2025: Purpose, Progress and Practical Tools to Power Q3 + Q4
10 Minute ReadWelcome to the September edition of The Monthly Edit — your go-to source for Australian fashion industry news, grants, strategic insights and growth opportunities.
With Q3 of 2025 in full swing and spring starting to bloom, now is the time to reset with purpose and momentum as we power into the rest of FY26
This month’s edition covers:
The NSW Government’s landmark Fashion Grants 2025 program
The movement to rebuild onshore fashion manufacturing in Australia
Financial insights like Gross Margin by Channel
A founder lens on what really matters this quarter
Whether you're scaling your label, preparing for peak season or planning for 2026 — our goal is to keep you strategic, connected and future-focused.
— Elizabeth & the Fashion Equipped Team
Author: Elizabeth Formosa | 6 September 25
What’s Shaping Our Industry
A New Era for Australian Fashion: NSW’s First-Ever Fashion Sector Strategy
In August, the NSW Government launched the Fashion Sector Strategy 2025–2028 — Australia’s first-ever state-backed fashion strategy. With a $750,000 investment, it aims to support local designers, rebuild manufacturing capability and boost global exposure.
Key initiatives include an Australian Fashion Hub, a Smart Factory pilot, and new funding streams designed to help designers scale.
How Brands Can Apply for Funding
Eligibility:
NSW-based individuals or organisations
Professionals in fashion or creative industries
Priority access for emerging and First Nations designers
Funding Streams Include:
Quick Response Grants (e.g. travel, urgent equipment)
Australian Fashion Week Support
Export Grants
Professional Development
These programs are administered by Create NSW and the City of Sydney, with support from UTS and TAFE NSW.
Explore Opportunities & Apply:
Image via NSW Government
National Ambition: The Push to Bring Manufacturing Back Onshore
With 97% of Australia’s clothing currently imported, the push to rebuild onshore fashion manufacturing in Australia is gaining momentum.
This shift is not just nostalgic.
It supports:
✔️ Sustainability – Fewer fashion miles and greater transparency
✔️ Speed to Market – Faster, more flexible production for local brands
✔️ Job Creation – Reskilling patternmakers, machinists and cutters
✔️ Innovation – Harnessing smart tech, circularity and ethical frameworks
From the AFC Smart Factory Pilot to R.M. Williams’ national campaign, this is a major focus area for brands and policy-makers alike.
Explore More:
Image via ABC News
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Campaign Spotlight: Fashion That Could Save Lives — “Ovaries. Talk About Them.”
Image via Camilla and Marc
In a fashion industry increasingly focused on purpose-driven branding and social impact, Camilla and Marc are leading the way with their groundbreaking campaign: “Ovaries. Talk About Them.”
In its sixth year, the ‘Ovaries. Talk About Them.’ campaign by Camilla and Marc has grown into a national movement.”
A Personal Story Turned National Advocacy
The campaign was launched by siblings Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, co-founders of luxury Australian fashion label Camilla and Marc, in honour of their late mother who passed away from ovarian cancer at just 46.
Since its inception, the initiative has raised over $2.5 million to fund research at the UNSW Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, fast-tracking development of the world’s first DNA-based early detection test for ovarian cancer.
“We are one step away from taking the world’s first DNA-based early detection test for ovarian cancer into clinical trials.” — Camilla & Marc
In 2025, the campaign reaches its most critical milestone yet — a major leap forward for the 1,700+ Australian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year.
Why Early Detection Matters
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers — often diagnosed too late. There is currently no effective screening test available, which is what makes this innovation so significant.
The fashion community is being called upon to use its platforms to raise awareness and funding to help bring this test to clinical trials — and ultimately, save lives.
🖤 The Fashion Drop with Impact
Each year, Camilla and Marc release a limited-edition capsule collection featuring oversized t-shirts, caps, and tote bags, with 100% of proceeds going to cancer research. The 2025 collection features minimalist black-and-white design and bold typography — with a clear call to action:
It’s time we talked about ovaries — openly, loudly, and without stigma.
Fashion x Advocacy x Global Voices
This year’s campaign is fronted by Italian supermodel Bianca Balti, an ovarian cancer survivor. She joins a powerful alumni of past ambassadors including Naomi Watts, Georgia Fowler, and Dree Hemingway, all using their influence to amplify this life-saving cause.
The campaign is a shining example of fashion brands driving real-world change through storytelling, community engagement, and cause-led marketing.
Why This Matters to Fashion Founders
At Fashion Equipped, we believe fashion has the power to do more than dress — it can educate, mobilise, and heal. This campaign is a call to all fashion brands, founders, and creatives to remember the impact of voice, platform, and purpose.
Fashion can fund science. Fashion can save lives.
How You Can Get Involved
Shop the Capsule Collection
Support ovarian cancer research — 100% of proceeds go to UNSW Gynaecological Cancer Research Group
Shop now →
Use Your Voice
Tag #OvariesTalkAboutThem to spread awareness on social media
Donate Directly
Support the research directly via UNSW
Donate here →
“None of us would be here without ovaries. It’s time we talked about them.” — Camilla Freeman-Topper
Metric of the Month: Gross Margin by Channel
Whether you sell via DTC, wholesale or marketplaces like THE ICONIC, understanding gross margin by channel is vital.
The best brands we work with don’t just look at top-line revenue — they track what’s profitable, what’s promotional and what’s really sustainable.
Some key questions to consider:
Is your gross margin healthy across all channels?
Are your promotional strategies eroding margin?
Is your inventory aligned with your most profitable segments?
Our team frequently audits channel profitability and builds margin-optimised strategies inside our Fashion Business Growth Roadmap. This is especially valuable during the lead-up to Click Frenzy, Black Friday and the Christmas shopping period.
Tech Spotlight: Magic Fit (Body Data for Smarter Fashion)
Magic Fit – Right Size, In Two Clicks
If sizing online still feels like a guessing game, Magic Fit is a game-changer. Built by Citizen Wolf in Australia, this AI-powered tool gives customers their perfect fit in just two clicks, no tape measure required. magicfit.ai
How It Works:
Simple biometric input: Your height, weight, age, and (for women) bra size are all Magic Fit needs to calculate a "digital twin" for accurate size recommendations.
Nine years of refinement: It’s built from over 196 million data points and 85,000+ custom garments, plus thousands of real human fittings, to deliver accuracy at scale.
No brand comparison required: Unlike many sizing tools, it doesn't rely on referencing other brands. This makes it ideal for mono-brands wanting a streamlined, on-brand experience.
Why It's a Smart Addition for Brands:
Convert point-of-purchase anxiety into confidence: Magic Fit users spend more and return less thanks to accurate sizing and a more personalised experience.
Proven performance: Across brands of vastly different scales, Magic Fit consistently drives an AOV uplift of +15-20%. Zorali also saw a massive +31% increase in conversions after installing Magic Fit.
Seamless integration: Install the Magic Fit SDK with a single line of code, and fully customise the look and feel to match your brand’s aesthetic.
Better for the planet: Fewer returns mean less landfill, fewer emissions, and a more sustainable retail model.
Fashion brands such as LSKD, kowtow, Zorali, Outland Denim, Institchu (RTW collection), and many more are currently using Magic Fit – watch this space for real results and case studies!
About the founders:
Magic Fit was co-founded by Zoltan Csaki, Rahul Mooray, and Eric Phu — three seasoned entrepreneurs with a track record of tackling big industry problems.
Since 2016, the trio have been refining body measurement technology to power their made-to-order fashion brand, Citizen Wolf.
In January this year, they officially spun Magic Fit out as a new company with one bold goal: to solve sizing chaos across the rest of the fashion industry.
With no product but a clear vision, they set out to help ambitious apparel brands deliver size confidence, reduce returns, and improve customer experience — using the same AI-powered tech that made Citizen Wolf a success.
This isn’t just another startup… it’s the next phase of their mission to unf*ck the fashion industry.
Fashion Business Mindset Podcast Feature:
Anna Brennan, Stylerunner
In a recent episode of the Fashion Business Mindset Podcast, we sat down with Anna Brennan, General Manager of Stylerunner, to explore how the brand is redefining activewear with a fashion-first approach.
Key takeaways:
Driving growth with an innovative mindset and dynamic strategy
Curating women’s performance activewear through a fashion-first lens
Fueling long-term loyalty through deep customer connection and community
Founder POV of the month: A Strategic Insight from Elizabeth
As a fashion founder or business leader, your time is your most precious resource.
That’s the powerful insight behind Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell — a favourite read this month.
Martell shows how designing your calendar around high-value, energising work (not just “more work”) is the key to long-term growth and personal fulfilment.
For founders facing scale, burnout or constant decision fatigue, this book offers practical strategies to reclaim your headspace, delegate with intention and build a business you love running.
→ Recommended for anyone restructuring, hiring or stepping into bigger leadership in FY26.
“The goal isn’t to do more — it’s to buy back your time so you can focus on the work that truly matters.”
Whether that means outsourcing, systemising, or learning to say no, this book is a powerful guide to scaling without burnout. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it — especially as we head into the busiest months of the year.
Podcasts & Books to Elevate Your Business
She’s on the Money with Victoria Devine
Smart, practical money advice for women who want more.
Hosted by award-winning financial advisor Victoria Devine, this podcast breaks down personal finance in a way that’s relatable, empowering, and easy to action. From navigating cash flow and investing, to building wealth as a business owner, the conversations are honest, educational, and refreshingly jargon-free.
Whether you’re a startup founder managing fluctuating income or scaling into six and seven figures, these episodes help you feel more confident and in control of your financial future.
Recommended for anyone who wants to build wealth on their own terms — and enjoy the journey along the way.
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Reclaim your calendar. Reignite your growth.
In this bestselling guide, entrepreneur and SaaS coach Dan Martell flips the script on productivity. It’s not about doing more. It’s about freeing up your time so you can focus on high-value, high-impact work.
Martell introduces the concept of buying back your time — strategically outsourcing and systemising tasks so you can stay energised, avoid burnout, and scale with intention. If you’re a founder stuck in the day-to-day, this book offers a framework to help you work on your business, not just in it.
“This book offers a framework to help you work on your business, not just in it.”
👉 Recommended for any founder ready to grow without sacrificing sanity.
Season 6 of @fashionbusinessmindset
We’re back with another powerful season, bringing you insightful conversations with industry thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers.Each episode is packed with real-world insights, practical strategies, and future-focused conversations to help you build, grow, and lead in today’s fashion industry.
Tune into the latest with:
- Anna Brennan, GM Stylerunner
- Eva Galambos, Parlour X
- Patricia Lynch, The Design Gallery
- Belinda Paul, Founder of RCYCL
- Rebekka Carey-Smith, Head of Sustainability at The Iconic
- Jacklyn Rivera, the Creative Director of Commonry
Your Next Move
Looking to sharpen your strategy for the remainder of 2025 and beyond?
Explore how our consulting, mentoring and roadmapping services can help you:
Increase profit and performance - Build future-fit foundations - Grow with clarity and confidence.
“Let’s keep growing — sustainably, profitably and strategically.”
Tap into Our Continued Partnership with WGSN!
We’re thrilled to embark on our sixth year of partnership with WGSN, the #1 global trend forecasting and analytics platform. At Fashion Equipped, we are passionate about empowering startups and growing businesses by providing access to this cutting-edge resource. Combined with our tailored programs, mentoring, and consulting services, these invaluable tools give our clients a competitive edge, helping them not just launch but scale their fashion businesses successfully.
In today's fast-paced and data-driven fashion industry, staying ahead of trends is critical. WGSN delivers global insights and future trends that can transform your business, ensuring you thrive in this ever-evolving landscape.
This is a unique and invaluable opportunity to elevate your business and position yourself as a leading brand in the industry.
Contact Elizabeth directly at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au to discover how WGSN can give your business an immediate advantage.
Image: WGSN
Work With Us
Are you ready to elevate your fashion business this year?
Whether you’re launching, scaling, or evolving your brand, our signature consulting offer – The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap – is designed to give you the structure, strategy, and support you need to move forward with confidence.
From brand elevation and financial optimisation to product strategy, marketing and scaling, we tailor every step to your unique goals.
Gain clarity on your next steps
Create a business roadmap aligned with your values and vision
Receive high-touch coaching, expert guidance with measurable outcomes
Enquire now and let’s make 2025/26 your most strategic and successful years yet.
