SYDNEY, May 07– As the official digital print and projector partner of the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), Epson Australia has announced its participation in Australian Fashion Week 2026, taking place from 11–15 May 2026 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and venues across Sydney.
(l-r) Epson Australia Managing Director Craig Heckenberg, Samantha Delgos, General Manager, Australian Fashion Council, Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair, Australian Fashion Council and Epson Australia Corporate Marketing Manager, Priscilla Dickason
This year’s event will bring together the nation’s most creative and forward‑thinking designers and innovators in a celebration of Australian culture, design and sustainable fashion manufacturing.
For Epson, participation in Australian Fashion Week builds on its continuing partnership with the Australian Fashion Council, strengthening a shared commitment to fostering a more sustainable, innovative and locally empowered fashion industry.
Epson A/NZ MD Craig Heckenberg said, “As a key strategic partner of the AFC, we are fully committed to our support of Australian Fashion Week 2026. Together with the AFC, Epson is championing the future of Australian fashion manufacturing by creating meaningful opportunities between designers, brands and local makers. We’re showcasing how digital textile printing technology supports more sustainable, on‑demand production, helping designers bring their creativity to life locally and responsibly.”
A highlight of Epson’s program at Australian Fashion Week 2026 will be ‘Meet the Makers’, a curated matchmaking experience co‑hosted with the AFC and part of the AFC Talks, presented by Afterpay during AFW. The event brings Australian fashion brands and local manufacturers together under one roof, allowing designers to discover the craftsmanship, skill and production capacity available within Australia’s own borders.
Epson will take a leading role in the manufacturer showcase, demonstrating how digital textile printing technologies, such as the Epson Monna Lisa direct‑to‑fabric printer, integrate seamlessly into modern local production.
Featuring water‑based pigment inks and precision print technology, the Monna Lisa enables sustainable on‑demand manufacturing, reducing waste and making local production far more cost‑effective.
Epson Monna Lisa direct‑to‑fabric printer
By connecting brands with local manufacturing capability, Epson aims to help strengthen domestic supply chains, empower Australian fashion makers and reduce the environmental footprint of fashion creation.
Epson is also partnering with the AFC as the naming sponsor of the Epson Media Centre at AFW, providing a dedicated hub where local and international press can capture, file and share the stories shaping Australian fashion throughout the week. It’s also where the press and media can report on AFC Talks, presented by Afterpay.
“AFC Talks, presented by Afterpay, brings together the conversations that are most critical to our industry right now and shaping its future,” said Marianne Perkovic, Chair of the Australian Fashion Council. “These sessions go to the heart of the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead, from building global distribution to developing circular business models that deliver both commercial outcomes and cultural impact. They also recognise the broader economic importance of the fashion industry and the critical role it plays as a connected ecosystem. AFC Talks provides a platform to hear directly from industry leaders, share insights and bring the community together beyond the runway, creating space for everyone to engage, connect and help shape the future of Australian fashion.”
Epson’s involvement in Australian Fashion Week complements its ongoing collaboration with the AFC on long‑term initiatives that support onshore manufacturing, skills development and sustainability across the fashion and textile sector.
Since 2023, Epson and the AFC have worked together to:
• Deliver research on the current and future state of Australian fashion manufacturing
• Undertake a feasibility study for a smart manufacturing facility, integrating advanced machinery, software and digital production systems to support a local, on-demand model
• Explore circular economy pathways and sustainability programs to ensure the industry transitions responsibly by 2030
Epson also fully supported the AFC’s National Manufacturing Strategy launched in March 2026 at Parliament House to drive investment and innovation.
These collective efforts aim to build a future where Australian designers can produce collections sustainably and competitively on home soil supported by technologies that enhance efficiency and enable creative freedom.
Heckenberg added, “By showcasing what’s increasingly possible onshore, we will collectively strengthen local supply chains. The AFC’s National Manufacturing Strategy, which Epson proudly supports, represents an important step toward building a more resilient, sustainable and innovative future for Australian fashion.”
Epson’s global leadership in digital textile printing positions it as a technology partner of choice for designers and manufacturers seeking to produce responsibly and efficiently.
With solutions such as its Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric series printers Epson enables print‑on‑demand manufacturing that minimises waste, reduces energy use and shortens supply chains – all key goals for an industry striving to meet both environmental and creative challenges.
Epson’s participation in Australian Fashion Week 2026 underlines its role as a technology enabler for local innovation, connecting creativity with sustainability while supporting the AFC’s mission to future‑proof Australian fashion.
Australian Fashion Week 2026
Dates: 11–15 May 2026
Venues: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and various locations around Sydney
Presented by: The Australian Fashion Council
