Sponsoring of festival under fire

SYDNEY - Clothing manufacturer Pacific Brands has defended its sponsorship of the Melbourne Fashion Festival amid controversy over its axing of 1850 local jobs.

The maker of iconic Australian clothing brands such as Bonds and King Gee last month announced it would move part of its manufacturing to China.

Adding insult to injury for those affected by the job cuts, News Limited reported the clothing manufacturer had paid up to $500,000 to sponsor the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

A spokesman from Pacific Brands said the figure was closer to $100,000, which, he said, was "a longstanding trend with the fashion festival which has been going on for many years".

"This [is] an essential part of our support for the industry and for our business which still employs 7000 people."

- AAP