Caroline Swee Lin Tan

Dr Caroline Swee Lin Tan is an Associate Professor and Program Manager of the Master of Fashion (Entrepreneurship) at RMIT University. Known to colleagues and students as Carol, she is a recognised expert in fashion entrepreneurship and fashion business, providing frequent commentary for national media on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the evolving fashion landscape, and is regularly sought by outlets including ABC, 7 News, and international media.

 

Research and Impact 💡

 

Since 2003, Dr. Tan has been a leading researcher on the success factors driving Australia’s fast-growth small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Her work has been featured by major media outlets including ABC National Radio, The Age, and The Sydney Morning Herald, and is published across peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and industry reports.

 

Dr. Tan’s scholarly output appears consistently in top-tier (Q1) journals. A hallmark of her research leadership is her collaborative approach: she has a proven record of mentoring postgraduate students and emerging researchers to publish at the highest academic level. She has served as a Chief Investigator on competitive grants and major government-industry partnerships: notably with the Queensland Government and Kmart, as well as projects supported by the Australian Fashion Council.

 

PhD Supervision and Expertise 🎓

 

An experienced supervisor, Dr. Tan has successfully supervised eight PhD candidates to completion and currently supervises four more. Her doctoral supervision spans diverse interdisciplinary topics shaping the future of fashion and entrepreneurship, including:

 

• Sustainable business model innovation
• Heritage entrepreneurship
• Blockchain adoption and supply chain transparency
• Virtual luxury fashion
• Consumer behaviour in second-hand luxury markets
• Circular economy applications in fashion

 

Consultative Expertise and Industry Engagement 🤝

 

Beyond academia, Dr. Tan undertakes consultative work in customer insight and experience strategy. Her practice focuses on identifying target market segments, developing customer personas and journey maps, and analysing consumer pain points to guide business growth and brand positioning.

 

She is also the Lead Editor of the Routledge textbook Fashion Entrepreneurship: Principles and Practice (2026), leading the project from concept through to publication. She authored six chapters (including two co‑authored chapters) and curated a network of expert contributors to bridge academic research with industry relevance.

 

Leadership and Teaching Excellence ⭐

 

Dr. Tan’s commitment to high-quality education is demonstrated through multiple institutional and national awards, including:

 

• RMIT Program Award for Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching
• RMIT Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
• Academic Staff Three-Minute Presentation Award

 

Under her leadership, the Master of Fashion Entrepreneurship program gained global recognition as the ICSB Global Entrepreneurship Education Excellence Award (Graduate Program Category) and was selected to represent RMIT in the AFR Higher Education Awards for excellence in industry engagement.

 

Dr. Tan's commitment to excellence in education is demonstrated by multiple teaching awards, including the RMIT University Program Award for Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching and an RMIT Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (with Dr. Saniyat Islam).

 

Selected Awards and Recognition 🏆

 

• 2025 International Council for Small Business (ICSB) Global Entrepreneurship Education Excellence Award (Graduate Program Category, with Dr. Saniyat Islam
• 2025 RMIT Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (with Dr. Saniyat Islam)
• 2024 School of Fashion and Textiles Student Experience and Engagement Award
• 2017 School of Fashion and Textiles Award for High Good Teaching Scale (GTS) Scores
• 2013 RMIT University Award for Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching
• 2013-2014 College of Business Award for High Good Teaching Scale (GTS) Scores
• 2011 Winner of the RMIT Business College 3 Minute Project Presentation
• 2011 RMIT College of Business Learning and Teaching Award (Program Category P5 - Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching)
• 2010 RMIT School of Management Nominee for the Learning and Teaching Award
• 2007 Finalist - RMIT University Outstanding Thesis
• 2005 Winner of Innovation Award (Student Category) RMIT Research Awards
• 2005 Finalist - Mary Kay Doctoral Dissertation Competition (Academy of Marketing Science Conference)

 

Public Scholarship & Authoritative Opinion ✍️

 

• Tan, C.S.L., & Islam, S. (2026, 29 April). A probe into 'forever chemicals' in activewear lays bare fashion's greenwashing problem. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/a-probe-into-forever-chemicals-in-activewear-lays-bare-fashions-greenwashing-problem-281146 (Syndicated by Inside Retail Australia, TechXplore, Design and Art Magazine, Sporting Goods Intelligence Europe, and Mirage News)
• Tan, C.S.L., & Islam, S. (2026, 28 April). Your 'recycled polyester' leggings are not as sustainable as you think. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/your-recycled-polyester-leggings-are-not-as-sustainable-as-you-think-280464 (Syndicated globally by Popular Science, Phys.org, MENAFN, and Queanbeyan CityNews)
• Tan, C., & Islam, S. (2026, 7 April). ‘Vegan leather’ isn’t as sustainable or eco‑friendly as brands might claim. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/vegan-leather-isnt-as-sustainable-or-eco-friendly-as-brands-might-claim-278548 (Syndicated globally via ABC News, The Fashion Journal, Fast Company, Scroll.In andPhys.org)

• Tan, C.S.L. (2025, 13 March). How local fashion brands thrive in economic uncertainty. Ragtrader. https://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/how-local-fashion-brands-thrive-in-economic-uncertainty

 

Media and Expert Commentary🎙️

 

Dr. Tan is a trusted expert voice in the Australian fashion sector, providing regular commentary on fashion entrepreneurship, consumer behaviour, and industry trends. Her public scholarship for The Conversation is noted for its high engagement and global reach, successfully translating complex research for a broad international audience.

 

Print and Online Media (selected publications) 

 

• Attanasio, J. (2026, 9 May). Major warning about danger lurking in millions of Aussie wardrobes: 'Accumulate over time'. Yahoo News Australia. https://au.news.yahoo.com/major-warning-about-danger-lurking-in-millions-of-aussie-wardrobes-accumulate-over-time-020026878.html
• Tan, C.S.L., & Islam, S. (2026, 5 May). 'Forever chemicals' probe in activewear lays bare fashion's greenwashing problem. Inside Retail Australia. https://insideretail.com.au/business/forever-chemicals-probe-in-activewear-lays-bare-fashions-greenwashing-problem-202605
• Dahlstrom, M. (2026, 29 April). Single word repeatedly fooling Aussies as millions rug up for colder months: 'Best option is incineration'. Yahoo News Australia. https://au.news.yahoo.com/single-word-repeatedly-fooling-aussies-as-millions-rug-up-for-colder-months-best-option-is-incineration-061935599.html
• Dahlstrom, M. (2026, 10 April). ‘Unexpected’ issue with popular vegan item exposed: ‘People don’t know’. Yahoo News. https://au.news.yahoo.com/unexpected-issue-with-popular-vegan-item-exposed-people-dont-know-050115715.html
• Purcell, F. (2026, 10 March). The rise of cowboy core: what's behind it and what does it mean for Australian brands. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-10/dr-karl-how-things-work-cowboy-core-fashion/106336574
• Bowles, A. (2026, 20 January). Valentino's legacy as 'one of the last true titans' of Italian fashion. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-20/valentino-remembered-as-titan-of-fashion-industry-after-death/106247774
• Luff, B. (2025, 6 March).Ally Fashion: Hundreds of jobs gone as more than 50 stores closed suddenly. 7 News Australia. https://7news.com.au/news/ally-fashion-hundreds-of-jobs-gone-as-more-than-50-stores-closed-suddenly-c-17947909
• Murphy, H. (2025, 1 February). A post-mortem of Australian fashion — how the Mosaic Brands business empire crumbled. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-01/the-demise-of-mid-range-fashion-rivers-millers/104876424
  Luff, B. (2025, 30 January). Millers and Noni B to be wound up as receivers for parent company Mosaic Brands fail to secure buyer. https://7news.com.au/news/millers-and-noni-b-to-be-wound-up-as-receivers-for-parent-company-mosaic-brands-fail-to-secure-buyer-c-17546183
• Luff, B. (2025, 26 January). Iconic Aussie fashion brand axed: 'sad' closure as the sign of the times. https://7news.com.au/news/rivers-axed-downfall-of-aussie-fashion-company-not-unexpected-c-17483835.amp
• Murphy, H. (2025, 23 January). Rivers was one of Australia's first online retailers. How did it fail? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-23/rivers-outlets-to-close/104852380
• Luff, B. (2024, 11 December). Why the plug was pulled on Australian fashion brand, Katies. https://7news.com.au/news/why-the-plug-was-pulled-on-australian-fashion-brand-katies--c-17052286 
• Murphy, H. (2024, 10 December). From $24 cardigans to closed doors — what went wrong for Katies? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-10/katies-closure-is-a-touch-point-for-bricks-and-mortar-fashion/104709002
• Alam, S. (2024, 2 December). 'Fast fashion' company collapse leaves $20 million owing to Bangladeshi exporters. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/bangla/en/podcast-episode/fast-fashion-company-collapse-leaves-20-million-owing-to-bangladeshi-exporters/wf9mc9wkd
• Lawrence, S. (2024, 2 November). Mosaic Brands unlikely to be missed in regional Australia, analyst says. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-02/mosaic-brands-rivers-millers-closing-impact-regional-australia/104535416
• Kelly, C. (2024, 30 October). RMIT expert unpacks Mosaic Brands’ demise. https://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/rmit-expert-unpacks-mosaic-brands-demise?trk=feed_main-feed-card_feed-article-content
• Hoàng, M. (2024, 27 June). 6 cách để doanh nghiệp thời trang giảm thiểu tác động đến môi trường (Six ways fashion businesses can reduce their environmental impact), https://phunuvietnam.vn/6-cach-de-doanh-nghiep-thoi-trang-giam-thieu-tac-dong-den-moi-truong-2024062720412337.htm

Radio broadcasts (selected):

 

• Tan, C.S.L. (2026, 6 May). Recycled Polyester. JOY Drive, JOY 94.9FM. [Radio Interview]. Interviewed by Warren Andrew. 5:45PM.
• Tan, C.S.L. (2026, 30 April). Activewear brand investigated over PFAS. The World Today. [Radio Interview]. Interviewed by Andy Park. ABC National. Broadcast from 12:00PM across ABC Australia, Asia and Pacific. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/worldtoday/activewear-brand-investigated-over-pfas/106625848
• Tan, C.S.L. (2026, 28 April). Vegan Leather. On the Record. [Radio Interview]. Interviewed by Caitlin Brown. RTRFM 92.1, Perth. Broadcast at 12:10PM.
• Tan, C.S.L. (2026, 20 April). Vegan Leather. The Conversation Hour. [Radio Interview]. Interviewed by Mary Gearin. ABC Melbourne. Broadcast at 11:45AM.
• Tan, C.S.L. (2026, April 13). Vegan Leather. SA and NT Evenings. [Radio Interview]. Interviewed by Spence Denny. 9.11PM Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/adelaide-evenings/evenings/106545412
• Tan, C.S.L. (2026, April 8). Vegan Leather. ABC Coffs Coast Breakfast with Fiona Poole [Radio Interview]. 9.35AM. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/coffscoast-breakfast/breakfast/106532060
• Tan, C. S. L. (2026, March 15). Overnights with Michael Pavlich [Radio interview]. ABC Radio National. Broadcast at 3:10 a.m. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/overnights/overnights/106437722
• Tan, C. (2025) ‘Australian fashion industry plans manufacturing boost’, ABC PM, 16 May. Interviewed by Nadine Haynes. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/pm/australian-fashion-industry-plans-manufacturing-boost/105303782
• Tan, C.S.L. (2024). ABC Melbourne. Melbourne Mornings with Justin Smith, 11/12/2024. 10:50AM
• Tan, C.S.L. (2024). RMIT expert unpacks Mosaic Brands’ demise. 2HD and 2SM Sydney. 30/10/2024. 12:04PM
• Tan, C.S.L. (2024). ABC Northern Tasmania, Afternoons with Joel Rheinberger, 3/10/2024 16:20 PM