Womens Fashion & Accessories
Sustainability and ethics in womens fashion have finally become a major focus in the industry. Some labels have set their sights beyond ethical manufacturing and are actively giving back to communities and charities in a big way.
Here are 5 Aussie labels offering clothing with a conscience.
Solomon Street
A standout new kid on the block in the sustainable womens fashion scene is Adelaide based label Solomon Street. Starting as a weekend market stall, this growing label aims to give back to local and international communities through a loan scheme funded by the sales of eco-friendly and ethically made clothing.
Using natural fibres and minimising waste at every opportunity, founder Lauren Crago hopes to spread the message that eco-fashion is both viable and the only way forward.
The Social Outfit
The Social Outfit is recognised as a Public Benevolent Institution Charity in Australia, providing employment and training to people from refugee and migrant communities in the fashion industry. By tapping into the creativity of refugee communities in the areas of production, retail, design and marketing, this womens fashion label is truly empowering people while providing customers with unique and ethically made pieces.
Outland Denim
After a life-changing encounter with an anti-trafficking group, James Bartle created the Denim Project with the aim of providing opportunities and a career path to those affected by the trafficking industry. Bartle further developed the project into the Outland Denim label, offering ethically made men and womens fashion.
The label’s ethos centres on consuming less, less often.
Magpie Goose
Through their experiences with remote travel and work surrounding Aboriginal communities, Maggie McGowan and Laura Egan were inspired by the beauty of the textiles being produced at community art centres. Understanding the importance of generating income through creative enterprise, the idea for Magpie Goose was born.
The Magpie Goose mission focuses on creating economic opportunities for Aboriginal people living in remote Australia and encouraging non-Indigenous people to connect with the stories and culture of Aboriginal art through womens fashion.
Polkaco
Womens fashion labels often use centuries-old traditions and crafts to keep up with ‘ethnic inspired’ trends, without acknowledging or empowering the people who have carried these traditions on.
Polkaco directly engage traditional artisans from around the world for the production of their range of unique handmade hats and accessories. Each Polkaco hat takes around 8 hours to weave by artisans in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela. Some of their other accessories are created in Colombia and their baskets handmade by female artisans in Rwanda.
How’s that for unique accessories with a conscience?
