Sustainable and Ethical Australian Fashion: Discover 22 Exceptional Brands
Australia, renowned for its picturesque beaches and swimwear, has an evolving fashion scene that extends beyond the shores. The antipodean fashion industry boasts high-quality natural fabrics, contributing around 25% of global Merino wool and ranking among the top four cotton producers globally.
Australian Fashion and Sustainability Amid Climate Challenges
Facing climate challenges like flooding and droughts, Australia invests heavily in biotechnology and precision irrigation. This commitment has led to one of the world’s most water-efficient cotton industries. The aesthetic inspiration for Australian fashion often stems from the country’s dramatic natural landscapes, with campaigns shot against coastal outcrops or the Australian outback.
International Recognition and Local Production
Internationally recognized brands like Zimmermann, Dion Lee, and Maticevski have propelled Australian fashion onto the global stage. With increasing international shipping options, accessing Australian fashion worldwide has never been easier.
Key Features of Sustainable Slow Fashion from Australia
- Local Production
Many Australian fashion brands prioritize local production, boasting manufacturing facilities within a few kilometers of their headquarters. This ensures a short supply chain, safe working conditions, and fair labor practices.
- Natural Materials
Given Australia’s hot summers, sustainable brands favor breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and hemp over synthetic fibers. Swimwear brands often embrace regenerated nylon from companies like Econyl.
- Certifications
Look for third-party certifications such as B-Corp, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX, indicating a brand’s commitment to sustainability. Good On You, an Australian-founded brand directory, rates fashion brands based on publicly available sustainability information.
- Giving Back
Reflecting Australia’s ‘Lucky Country’ moniker, many brands support charities, including environmental groups like 1% for the Planet, tree planting initiatives, food rescue projects, and bushfire relief groups.
Explore Sustainable and Ethical Australian Brands
- Outland Denim
Founded in 2008, Outland Denim, a B-Corp brand, provides employment and training for survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia. With a focus on transparency, Outland Denim’s supply chain is 94% traceable, using organic cotton and industry-leading technology to reduce water, chemical, and energy waste.
- KitX
Established in 2015, KitX, founded by Kit Willow, collaborates with artisans in India through the social enterprise Artisans of Fashion. KitX prioritizes recycled polyester sourced from Econyl and uses organic, non-toxic, and compostable virgin materials.
- A.BCH
Melbourne-based A.BCH, founded in 2017 by Courtney Holm, emphasizes a circular economy. Designing and making locally from renewable, organic, or recycled materials, A.BCH shares every supplier in its chain, encourages customer care and repair, and operates on a non-traditional seasonal model.
- Velvety
An Australian online marketplace committed to slow fashion, Velvety hosts vegan and Fair Trade brands. Offering cruelty-free, organic, and natural products, Velvety prioritizes GOTS and The Fair Wear Foundation certifications, using biodegradable packaging.
- Madre Natura
Founded in 2020, Madre Natura, designed and made in Sydney, focuses on transparency and traceability. Operating on a pre-order model to avoid over-production, Madre Natura uses certified natural and deadstock fabrics, offering free lifetime repairs.
- Ginger & Smart
Established in 2002, Ginger & Smart, known for bold prints, prioritizes sustainably sourced and recyclable materials. Using botanical dyes and digital printing, the brand supports social justice and environmental groups, including Greenfleet and the Sydney Women’s Fund.
- NICO
Founded in 2012, NICO, a basics brand, ethically produces underwear and loungewear using chemical-free, GOTS certified organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled cotton. All orders come in compostable satchels.
- Jasmine Alexa
A Melbourne-based women’s activewear brand, Jasmine Alexa aims to use ECONYL regenerated nylon and organic cotton throughout its range. Compostable packaging is standard for online deliveries.
- Bondi Born
A B-Corp womenswear and swimwear brand based in Sydney, Bondi Born’s swimwear uses Sculpteur™ fabric, known for its eco-certifications and lower carbon footprint. The ready-to-wear line uses only OEKO-TEX Certified fabrics.
- Nobody Denim
A Melbourne-based denim brand, Nobody Denim, accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia, prioritizes local production and collaborates with FibreTrace for fully traceable, carbon-positive denim collections.
- Good Studios
Adelaide-based Good Studios champions hemp textiles in its simple, refined womenswear. Working with Carbon Neutral since 2014, Good Studios plants a tree native to Australia with every purchase.
- Spell Byron Bay
A contemporary-bohemian brand in Byron Bay, Spell Byron Bay signed the Circular Fashion Commitment. Spell works closely with Canopy, the UN Global Compact, and the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation.
- Boody
Founded in Sydney in 2011, Boody celebrates organic bamboo textiles in its basics range. Boody’s bamboo undergoes Oeko-Tex 100 certified conditions, offering a sustainable choice with positive impact measurements.
- Auguste the Label
Another Byron Bay brand, Auguste the Label, is known for relaxed silhouettes and vibrant prints. Using mainly natural fabrics like hemp, cotton, and Econyl’s regenerated nylon, Auguste supports various charities.
- Lois Hazel
Established in 2015, Lois Hazel, based in Melbourne, offers 100% transparency in sourcing and production. Using natural, recycled, and organic fabrics, Lois Hazel collaborates with Indigenous artists and promotes community involvement.
- Liandra Swim
Founded by Liandra Gaykamangu, Liandra Swim combines contemporary swimwear design with Indigenous culture. Using recycled plastic bottles and eco-friendly dyes, Liandra Swim supports Indigenous women and promotes eco-friendly packaging.
- Arnsdorf
A B Corp brand since 2006, Arnsdorf creates ethical clothing in Melbourne using only organic and biodegradable fibers. Arnsdorf provides a cost breakdown for each product, offers lifetime repairs, and produces collections in limited runs.
- Elk
Designing ethical clothing in Melbourne since 2004, Elk emphasizes transparency with detailed supplier and material information. Elk partners with charities like UNICEF and TreeProject.
- Permanent Vacation
A Melbourne-designed and made brand, Permanent Vacation creates timeless, easy-to-wear clothing. Operating on a project-basis, Permanent Vacation produces items to meet demand, reducing waste.
- Bird & Kite
Founded in Sydney and manufactured in Bali, Bird & Kite produces ethical collections supporting handcrafting traditions. Bird & Kite collaborates with the BALIWISE Foundation, avoids plastic use, and includes a complimentary scrunchie made from fabric off-cuts with every online order.
- All That Remains is Love
A small-batch brand on the coast of New South Wales, All That Remains is Love creates one-off and limited edition items. Using primarily linen and cotton gauze, the brand prioritizes natural materials and avoids plastic and toxic dyes.
- d+k active
An Australian fitness brand, d+k active ensures fair labor and transparency in its supply chain. Using REACH-compliant and Oeko-Tex-certified materials, including organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester, d+k active prioritizes quality, longevity, and ethical standards.
Elle Evans
An Australian swimwear brand, Elle Evans hand-crafts made-to-order pieces from recycled ocean plastic in Melbourne. Elle Evans uses deadstock carry bags and compostable mailers, and customers can return worn-out pieces for responsible recycling or reuse.
In conclusion, these 22 sustainable and ethical Australian fashion brands exemplify the country’s commitment to fashion that embraces transparency, natural materials, and social responsibility. Explore their collections to align your style with a purpose, supporting brands that prioritize the well-being of people and the planet.
