Cotton Australia's Brand Relationships Manager, Ashley Hollis, recently spoke at the ‘Good For Business’ Sustainable Fashion Summit at NSW Parliament House, Sydney. The event brought together decision-makers from brands, retailers, government, NGOs, and universities to discuss sustainability across the fashion supply chain, with a focus on natural fibres like cotton and wool.

Ashley joined the ‘From Farm to Wardrobe’ panel with Josh Zarco, Chief Commercial Officer at Australia Food & Fibre and Vice Chairman of the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA), alongside wool industry representatives. With 180 attendees, the discussion reinforced the importance of connecting brands, growers, and the wider industry.

"The panel had a great mix of industry voices from both wool and cotton," Ashley said. "It's key to bring farmers into these conversations so decision-makers understand what’s really happening on the ground. We need to close the gap between industry discussions and actual farm practices to ensure sustainability claims are accurate and well-informed."

She spoke about the myBMP program, the Australian cotton industry’s farm and environmental management program, and how Cotton Australia’s Cotton to Market initiative strengthens relationships with global brands and NGOs while increasing demand for Australian cotton.

"Events like this are essential for sharing knowledge and positioning natural fibres as sustainable and renewable alternatives to synthetics," Ashley said. "It’s encouraging to see more global brands turning to Australian cotton. Sustainability isn’t just about farming—it requires collaboration across the entire supply chain."

For Australian cotton growers, the event reinforced the increasing global demand for responsibly grown cotton and the importance of transparent sustainability practices.