When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and international tourists stopped entering the museum, costs had to be cut.
It meant they had to reduce the "nice to haves", including the 220-page catalogue that was meant to support the upcoming Fashion Forward: Disruption Through Design exhibition.
It features photography of all the garments from the iD Emerging Designer Awards with words from the designers, curators and textile and fashion experts.
The museum needed nearly $22,000 to print the catalogue and in a final scramble to ensure the months of work were not wasted, it started fundraising through a Boosted Campaign.
Head of exhibitions and creative services Craig Scott said it was "nail-biting" not knowing if it would be able to be printed.
Marketing manager Kate Oktay said in the end, the campaign managed to raise $22,035.
"We’re absolutely thrilled — so happy.
"So much time was spent on it and we’re just so thrilled that it hasn’t gone to waste and we can get this beautiful catalogue out there."
The exhibition was delayed for almost a year due to Covid-19 restrictions and the garments, which arrived from around the world, have been on site since late 2019.
Fashion Forward: Disruption Through Design will open at the museum on March 27.
