There isn't another Cotton Fibre Expo (AustralianCFE) like the one held in Australia, in the world. Entrants to the Expo are showcasing to the world the versatility, practicality and uniqueness of cotton. The ACFE ask entrants to be creative as possible, with the only criteria being the need to be made with at least 90% cotton. The categories range from interpretative sections of wearable art, fashion, surface design and "quirky calico" to the more traditional crafts. The Expo organisers received inquiries from design schools around the nation regarding the 2013 expo and its categories, thus we anticipate that 2015 will be full of young and vibrant new design ideas.

The Australian Cotton Fibre Expo seeks to continue educating cotton growers in the Lower Namoi, and the wider community who are involved in cotton production, to the versatility of cotton for the end user. The 2013 expo was again another huge success with entrants being received from varied regions within Australia. Over 400 guests visited the

exhibition. The guests came from within the and wider,

they experienced first-hand the versatility of cotton and how it allows

designers to create their unique pieces.

The fashion parade sponsor Margaret Enklemann also showcased an intriguing

parade on what can be done with materials found on the farm and in

manufacturing plants and how they can too be made into fashionable

garments. Her entire outfit was made solely from cotton/farm items and thus

was interpreted into wearable art.

The expo allows the growers in the region to see how our local cotton is received in

the market, at the end product, and how it is utilised both within the local region

through to the international community.

Growers in the region were given the opportunity to view the items entered

into the expo throughout the two weeks it was open. The fashion garments

were also part of the luncheons fashion parade. Many of the unique items on

show detailed where they were made and how they were made. Some of the

commercial products also had price indications listed which enabled viewers

to see the commercial viability of the product.

The project showcased the role of women in the cotton industry,

demonstrating the importance of a female viewpoint in the business, with keynote speaker, Barbara Grey, a 30 year veteran cotton grower from Muningdi.