Australia

A purple fabric has remained cooler than white cotton in tests, despite its dark colour, and may prove more effective at cooling the body than traditional light-coloured fabrics. Still in the early stages of development, the material has potential for workwear worn by construction workers, farmers and others spending long hours outdoors in strong sunlight.

Conventional shoe sizing, built around foot length, fails to account for the width variation among women's feet. In Australia, most women wear a shoe size that differs from the one their foot length indicates, and those who size up may be compensating for widths that shoes sold in only one width cannot accommodate.

Onshore garment manufacturing in Australia has a new development: a first-of-its-kind Clothing Smart Factory feasibility study is now under way. The study unites RMIT, Swinburne and UTS in a research consortium, backed by Epson and Investment NSW, to assess the technical, workforce and financial requirements for a technology-enabled facility in New South Wales.

Wool's greenhouse gas emissions intensity has been significantly overstated by lifecycle assessments that omit biogenic carbon, new research has found. Applying a more complete accounting standard to Australian wool production cuts average emissions dramatically, and under realistic manure retention scenarios the fibre can reach carbon neutrality, challenging frameworks that have long ranked wool poorly against synthetic alternatives.

Australia’s fashion and textile sector has received its first coordinated national manufacturing roadmap with the launch of the National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion and Textiles 2026–2036. Led by the Australian Fashion Council and RM Williams, the plan seeks to rebuild domestic capability, strengthen supply-chain resilience and expand high-value, technology-enabled production.

As extreme heat becomes a defining global hazard, cooling clothing can no longer depend on incremental tweaks. A new biodegradable fabric promises a step-change: lighter, cooler, and engineered for real-world performance. If commercialised at scale, it could reshape how outdoor workers, athletes and emergency crews stay safe and functional in rising temperatures.

From runway collections to performance gear, merino wool is experiencing a broad-based revival. Australia’s benchmark EMI has jumped, reflecting tight inventories and real consumer demand. Surveys place wool among the most desirable fabrics, while brands across fashion and sport showcase its natural performance, durability and circularity, reinforcing momentum across global markets.

UNSW engineers have developed a water-based spray that significantly slows the ignition of cotton, reduces heat transfer, and minimises burn risk. Tested under controlled fire conditions, the treatment preserved softness and breathability while resisting flames. The solution, now moving toward commercialisation, could be life-saving in bushfire-prone areas and emergency situations

A local Australian company, FanFirm, has won a landmark trademark case against the global retail giant, Fanatics. The dispute highlights the critical importance of a meticulous trademark strategy in Australia, as the court's final ruling powerfully affirmed that a local business's first-to-market presence and due diligence take precedence over an overseas brand's international reputation.

Samsara Eco's enzymatic depolymerisation technology makes it possible to rebuild worn or contaminated textiles into virgin-equivalent materials through breaking down synthetic fibres into original building blocks. The partnership with Deakin University addresses textile additives like dyes, finishes and coatings that affect recycling effectiveness for synthetic materials processing applications.