Centre of Fashion @ Richmond takes centre stage
2 June 2008
Kangan Batman TAFE CEO Ray Griffiths, the Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Centre of Fashion @ Richmond manager Odile Higgins, board president Dominic Andreacchio and event MC Alyce Platt
Kangan Batman TAFE took a significant step forward in the development of world-class training facilities on Friday May 23, 2008, when the The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Victorian Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation and Regional and Rural Development officially opened the Institute's Centre of Fashion @ Richmond.
Set in the heartland of Melbourne's fashion precinct and featuring cutting-edge design complemented by state-of-the-art fashion, retail and millinery facilities, the Centre of Fashion @ Richmond was opened to wide acclaim at an official breakfast ceremony attended by over 80 guests.
The "Fashion is Art" launch event featured presentations by Ms Allan, Kangan Batman TAFE council president Dominic Andreacchio, CEO Ray Griffiths and a keynote address by Jenny Hoo, one of Melbourne's favourite fashion daughters.
The Centre of Fashion @ Richmond is a state-of-the-art-facility set to involve and engage the fashion, education and retail sectors. It features the most up-to-date equipment including StyleCAD grading and marking systems, specially designed garment construction areas, a runway for students to showcase their work and a fully operational retail shop.
Kangan Batman TAFE council president Dominic Andreacchio said the event was well attended by industry partners and leading fashion representatives, who had the opportunity to tour the Centre of Fashion @ Richmond following the official opening ceremony.
"The Centre of Fashion @ Richmond shows our commitment to building the current and future skills of the Australian workforce to create a competitively viable future for our industry where we can compete confidently on the world stage," Mr Andreacchio said.
"More than four and a half million dollars in Australian Government funding has been invested in this project, increasing access for students and the greater community to world-class fashion, retail and millinery facilities.
"It's a very exciting time for all of us, most definitely on a local level, but also on a national scale as the Richmond campus continues to grow as a fashion and retail precinct."
Students will be able to study over 20 different courses at the Centre of Fashion @ Richmond ranging from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma. The specialist courses will combine knowledge and experience in disciplines such as garment construction, haute couture, draping, millinery, retail and design.
Odile Higgins, manager of the Centre of Fashion @ Richmond, said the facility will also be available for enterprise use, as a convenient venue for meetings, events and training.
"Rapid changes within the fashion, millinery and retail industry have resulted in companies needing to ensure new and existing workers have the required skills to support enterprise sustainability and growth to remain competitive," she said.
"Our new facilities and equipment are available for access for industry use, particularly for developing enterprises and emerging designers needing to manufacture small runs and samples.
"We encourage businesses to see the possibilities being offered here and take full advantage of easy access to state-of-the-art facilities which rival leading manufacturing environments.
"We also offer customised training and development solutions for individual businesses on a wide range of fashion and retail-related topics such as training needs analysis, lean manufacturing and visual merchandising."
