The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has commissioned an Epson-backed feasibility study to establish a first-of-its-kind Clothing Smart Factory in Australia.
The move is considered a nationally significant step towards rebuilding sovereign capability and creating a new generation of advanced fashion manufacturing.
Epson, who is the AFC’s strategic print and projection partner, will offer its expertise in digital textile printing capability, and is supported by two government portfolios – Investment NSW and the NSW Government's Fashion Sector Strategy.
“Epson is once again proud to support the Australian Fashion Council on another important initiative,” said Craig Heckenberg, managing director of Epson Australia and New Zealand.
“Digital textile printing is transforming how garments are designed and made, reducing waste and water use while enabling local, on-demand production. We are delighted we can bring our technology and expertise to a project that will reshape the future of Australian fashion manufacturing.”
The study also brings together a research consortium of three of Australia's leading universities – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Swinburne University of Technology and University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
“RMIT is excited to partner on this nationally significant project, and to help establish a funding model that is sustainable and scalable,” said Dr Alice Payne, Professor and Dean, School of Fashion & Textiles at RMIT.
“UTS is committed to supporting our world-leading creative industries grow and innovate through ethical and sustainable practices, which is why we are proud to partner with RMIT and Swinburne Universities on this project,” added Professor James Bennett, Dean, Faculty of Design & Society at UTS.
“This is a significant milestone of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, and UTS will build upon our expertise to complete the Workforce Analysis.”
A Clothing Smart Factory is a next-generation, technology-enabled manufacturing facility designed to bring onshore garment production back for Australian brands.”
The purpose-built manufacturing incubator will allow brands to test ideas, conduct R&D, and run small production at a scale and cost that is currently unviable onshore.
Epson is helping drive the future of onshore garment manufacturing through its Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric digital textile printing technology. Designed for on-demand manufacturing, the technology helps reduce waste, lower water and energy consumption, and shorten supply chains – supporting a more sustainable and responsive fashion industry.
Featuring precision print technology and water-based pigment inks, the Monna Lisa series enables brands to produce locally, respond more quickly to changing consumer trends, and improve production efficiency while enhancing creative flexibility making local manufacturing more commercially viable.
“Australia has extraordinary design talent, but for decades we've watched our clothing manufacturing capability move offshore. If we're serious about building a globally competitive fashion industry, we need the infrastructure to support it,” said Sam Delgos, general manager of the AFC.
“This feasibility study is our blueprint – bringing together industry, government and Australia's leading universities to explore a new model for advanced, on-demand production. We’re building the case for long-term investment in sovereign manufacturing, future skills and local production.”
The Smart Factory will investigate a Cut, Make and Trim (CMT) facility equipped with digital pattern making, digital textile printing, CNC cutting, automated production line machinery and advanced finishing technologies.
The final study will deliver a blueprint to establish a smart factory in NSW, assessing market demand, technical requirements, workforce and skills, financial modelling and opportunities for government and industry co-investment.
“On-demand and hyper-personalised fashion represent a significant opportunity for Australia’s creative and manufacturing economies,” said Professor Blair Kuys, executive Dean, School of Design and Architecture at Swinburne.
“Swinburne University of Technology is proud to be working with the Australian Fashion Council and the consortium university partners to contribute our expertise in artificial intelligent manufacturing and build on our recent investment in fashion technologies. This study is an important step towards supporting the future of advanced fashion manufacturing in Australia.”
The initiative is directly aligned with the NSW government's Fashion Sector Strategy, which signals strong appetite for investment in the sector and a priority for the state.
The AFC's longer-term ambition is a scalable, replicable model that could underpin a national network of smart factories over the coming decade.
Together with the AFC's work across Australian Fashion Week, Global Gateways export development, workforce capability and the National Manufacturing Strategy, the Clothing Smart Factory represents another pillar in rebuilding Australia's fashion ecosystem from design through to manufacturing and global market access.
“The NSW government is proud to support initiatives that keep fashion and textile manufacturing right here in NSW. A clothing smart factory has the potential to create skilled local jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base and broaden our innovation ecosystem,” explained Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology.
“This feasibility study is an important step in building the networks across academia and industry to enhance our manufacturing expertise and competitiveness in this sector.”
The study is expected to be completed in late 2026, ahead of an AFC-hosted industry launch event.