An Australian Fashion Council report found the industry contributes more than $27.2 billion to the nation’s economy as Australian Fashion Week returns.

The industry employs almost half a million Australians and creates $7.2 billion in export revenue.

Australian Fashion Council CEO Leila Naja Hibri told Deborah Knight women make up 77 per cent of the industry’s workplace.

“Australian Fashion Week is a great example of how the industry is multifaceted,” she said.