23 May 2013. The NT Government is putting its support behind NT Fashion Week by offering organisers $20,000 each year for the 2013 and 2014 events.

It’s the first time the government has thrown funding support behind the fashion event.

Minister for Business David Tollner said this money would help the hardworking Darwin City Retailers Association to fund the event which was held for the first time last year.

This year’s event kicked off yesterday with a Milliner’s lunch with more than 100 fashion enthusiasts.

Last year’s event featured a gala fashion parade at the Waterfront precinct with a large number of Darwin City retailers donating stock to be showcased.

“This was a knock out event and we want to see it get bigger and bigger,” Mr Tollner said.

“Retailers informed us that it resulted in a spike in sales of about 40 per cent in the four weeks following the event.”

This year’s event will include two major fashion shows at the Fannie Bay Racecourse and a number of small events in Smith Street Mall. About 15 city retailers will provide clothing and accessories.

“The Industry Development Grant will have a two-fold effect in assisting NT retailers and to provide concrete support for our growing fashion industry.”

The money will help pay for models, hair, make-up and general costs with running the event.

Trend figures released earlier this month indicated that the NT experienced its sixth consecutive month of growth in retail sales.

“The ABS figures highlight that the retail sector in the Territory is continuing to recover from the slowdown in 2012,” Mr Tollner said.