Australia's Queensland govt backs fashion house push into US market

20 Jul '21

2 min read

Pic: Mainie

Cairns' fashion house Mainie will extend its online reach into the US luxury retail market, thanks to a $10,000 grant from Australia’s Queensland government. Queensland premier and minister for trade Annastacia Palaszczuk said Mainie is one of 45 Queensland firms to benefit from Trade and Investment Queensland’s $440,000 E-commerce Grants Programme, alongside 23 other regional producers.

“E-commerce grants are a key part of my government’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan to boost Queensland businesses’ global marketing,” Palaszczuk said in an official release.

“COVID-19 challenged small businesses like Mainie that were previously exporting through traditional bricks and mortar stores. These grants will back their pivot to more online sales, which is key to competing in an increasingly virtual global marketplace,” she said.

Mainie managing director Charmaine Saunders said the grant would go towards building a new US-focused international website to market the company’s handmade silk and merino wool garments that feature unique aboriginal artworks.

“Our international presence is essential as we are set to join the high-end US aggregator site Verishop in the coming weeks, after being approached by them to be included among their independent designer brands,” he added.

Mainie also sold as a wholesaler through destinations like Sydney International Airport and Uluru.

Saunders founded Mainie to produce distinctively Australian fashion and gifts in 100 per cent silk and Woolmark Merino wool, while empowering aboriginal women.

The E-commerce Grant Programme has recipients based in South-East Queensland, the Darling Downs, Wide Bay, Central Queensland, Outback Queensland and Far North Queensland.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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