When applying for ECA accreditation the Compliance and Outreach Team conduct a detailed compliance audit of a business’ supply chain, from initial design to the finishing touches. No matter if a business makes all its garments in-house or uses outsourced manufacturers and outworkers – each touchpoint in the supply chain is checked. The audits ensure that the business is paying their workers correctly, that they are receiving correct entitlements, (superannuation, leave etc) and that they are working in safe conditions under Australian workplace laws.

Each year a business must complete an accreditation renewal to remain accredited with ECA. This process requires a business to undertake the compliance audit again. This includes checking that the information previously provided by a business is still correct, if any working conditions have changed these must be updated and any new suppliers must be audited.

To unpick the process a little further we spoke to Elizabeth (Beth) Macpherson (National Compliance Officer) and Casey Thompson (Compliance Officer) about their day-today roles and what is involved in an ECA compliance audit.

First things first, can you introduce yourselves and your role at ECA?

Beth: I work for the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Union in the capacity of the National Compliance Officer for VIC, SA, WA and Tasmania for more than 20 years and have been involved in the development of the accreditation process for all this time. It is my goal to protect those workers most vulnerable in the industry and ensure they work in safe conditions, get paid correctly and are treated with respect in the workplace. My prior experience in the TCF industry started in 1975, working as a binder in a footwear factory. I then moved to sewing in clothing factories then operating a warper in a textile mill. I have worked in all three sectors over a period of more than 45 years.

Casey: I work for the TCF Union as the NSW and QLD Compliance Officer for ECA. I’ve been working in this role for several years and love that every day I can work with and support the incredibly talented and hardworking people who make Australia’s TCF products.

I’ve always worked in the areas of social justice, labour rights and Australian manufacturing. Many workers in the Australian TCF industry are migrant workers and many are women, and I firmly believe that they must be paid and treated fairly for their hard work.

People often don’t realise what a thriving and talented TCF industry we have in Australia. ECA showcases the talented, local, and ethical production in our industry.

From your perspective can you both explain what is involved in an ECA compliance audit?

The ECA compliance process maps the entire Australian TCF supply chain of each company applying for accreditation from design to dispatch. We undertake comprehensive compliance audits of all supply chain participants, across all sectors of our industry from design, pattern making, cutting, sewing, pressing, embroidery, screen printing, pleating, warehousing, dispatch, and all associated areas. Throughout the compliance process we work with workers and companies of all sizes and structures, including outworkers employed working from home.

The compliance audits assess legal compliance with industrial relations requirements and workplace health and safety requirements to ensure all workers are paid and treated fairly and are safe at work. The audits include assessment of all relevant documentation, inspections of factories and places of work, and meetings with all workers.

Where any non-compliances are identified these are raised with the company when educational resources and support are provided by the Compliance Officers to guide the company to the point of compliance. The Compliance Officers ensure all workers are informed of their rights and have input into the process of achieving compliance. Once an applicant and their supply chain have demonstrated compliance, the applicant’s accreditation is approved. Compliance processes are undertaken annually to ensure compliance is maintained.

Can you both explain why an ECA compliance audit is important and how do shoppers know they can trust an ECA compliance audit?

 ECA accreditation is crucial because the TCF industry is often comprised of long, complex, and fragmented supply chains meaning regulation and oversight of working conditions is difficult without a compliance program like that of ECA and important and active trade unions like the TCF Union.

TCF work is often dangerous with industrial accidents and disasters around the world common in garment and textile factories. The largest industrial disaster in modern history was the Rana Plaza garment workers’ factory collapse where 1,134 workers were killed at work due to known safety issues that were not addressed and many more were injured. Prior to its collapse, Rana Plaza had been audited by an auditing company where compliance was not required to be demonstrated.

An independent and robust compliance process like that of ECA is crucial to protecting and advancing the rights and safety of TCF workers. When consumers purchase from an ECA accredited company they know that the company, and its entire Australian TCF supply chain across all areas of the industry, has been subject to a thorough, third-party audit where any non-compliances were identified and addressed, and compliance was achieved.

The TCF Union undertakes audits on behalf of ECA because they have expert knowledge of the industrial requirements and workplace health and safety requirements of the TCF industry and work every day with businesses and workers in all areas of the industry. The involvement of the TCF Union gives workers confidence in the integrity of the compliance process and assures them that they have a voice they can trust.

Not only are companies not accredited until themselves and any supply chain members have demonstrated compliance, but audits are undertaken annually so that ongoing compliance is required to maintain accreditation. Accredited companies must advise ECA of any changes to their supply chain and if any additions are made between the annual re-accreditations, an audit will be undertaken with the new supply chain member at the time of their addition to ensure compliance is maintained.

Undertaking compliance audits daily, we see the real-world impact of an ECA accreditation. Without ECA accreditation we could see significant and widespread cases of wage theft, superannuation theft, workers not being allowed to take their legally entitled paid leave when they are sick or allowed to take holidays. Significant workplace health and safety breaches occur from employees not being permitted to use bathrooms when they need to, and emergency exit doors being padlocked shut. Every day, on the ground, ECA’s accreditation program has a transformative impact on the lives of Australian TCF workers who are paid and treated fairly, with dignity while making our TCF products. Knowing they can return home safely at the end of the day.

You can meet the ECA Compliance Team here.

Let’s start with the basics, what is ethical fashion?

Depending on who you’re talking to, discussions surrounding ethical fashion can have a slew of different criteria and various interpretations. Some define ethical fashion as fashion that aims to reduce the negative impact on people and the planet, intertwining their ethical and sustainable fashion definitions together.

Here at Ethical Clothing Australia, (ECA) we focus on the human elements when it comes to the manufacturing of textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) products here in Australia. It is our mission to protect and advocate for the rights of every person behind a garment, and so we define ‘ethical fashion’ solely in terms of protecting the rights and lives of garment workers. Our accreditation program ensures that these workers are receiving the correct pay, entitlements and are working in safe conditions in line with Australian workplace laws – something that cannot be taken for granted

What is ECA’s accreditation program?

Established in 2000 in response to growing concern about the exploitation of Australian garment workers, ECA’s accreditation program maps Aussie supply chains all the way from design to dispatch. Once accredited, businesses are revisited annually with compliance audits carried out by the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union team to ensure that nothing has changed since their last audit.

ECA exists to protect the rights of local factory-based workers and outworkers aka, homeworkers.

This work is particularly important for outworkers who are most at risk as they frequently work in isolation, can face unrealistic deadlines, be forced to work long hours, receive irregular work, and encounter occupational health and safety issues. Commonly, outworkers may lack knowledge about their legal rights, award rates and entitlements and feel powerless to speak up about problems in fear of rocking the boat and losing their jobs altogether.

How to spot ethical fashion

ECA’s certification trade mark makes it easy to spot ethical fashion when you’re out and about as well as during online shopping. Only brands accredited by ECA can display the trademark on their website and garment swing tags – so keep your eyes peeled!

If you see the ECA trademark, (pictured below) you know that the manufacturing of that particular item of clothing or accessory has been ethical from design to pattern making, to sewing and dispatch (and all the steps in between). It also means that it’s been made in Australia.

ECA’s accreditation program runs annual compliance audits, so as soon as you see the trade mark you know that fashion brand is looking after its workers’ rights not just for a one-off audit, but on an ongoing basis.

Where to shop ethically

The great news is that through ECA’s comprehensive compliance audits all the hard work has already been done for you in determining whether brands are ensuring their workers’ rights are being upheld and in terms of easy ways to track down fantastic ethical Australian fashion brands!

If you’d like to support local ethical fashion brands you can check out our:

• Melbourne’s Ethical Clothing – Made In Melbourne Shopping Guide 2021
• Sydney’s Ethical Clothing – Made In Sydney Shopping Guide 2021

What makes a clothing brand ethical?

When it comes to defining “what is ethical fashion?” you’ll see a variety of interpretations out there. Some connect sustainable materials, waste reduction, vegan materials, and environmentally friendly fabrics to their understanding of ethical fashion.

While these are all important issues facing the fashion industry, ECA’s mission is to “protect the rights of both local factory-based workers and outworkers”, so you need to know that ECA defines ethical fashion solely in relation to the fair treatment of workers (i.e. local textile, clothing and footwear workers are paid appropriately, receive all their legal entitlements and safe working conditions).

Now that we have a clear definition of “ethical brands”, you might like to shop from local ethical clothing labels. But how do you know which clothing brands are ethical from New South Wales’s wide range of talented fashion designers and makers? Well, that’s why we’ve compiled this list of five NSW-based brands to kickstart your search for fabulous ethical fashion brands. These are brands that make 100% of their products locally.

As you look through our 2021 ultimate guide to Sydney ethical clothing, you can rest assured that all of these fashion labels are going about their manufacturing and supply chain processes the right ethical way, having been accredited by ECA.

Sydney-based ethical clothing and suits

Bianca Spender

With their head office based in Sydney and boutiques in Mosman, Bianca Spender operates from the heart of the city. Bianca Spender is a leading Australian fashion label, specialising in “designs that are enduring, empowering, and impressive” and we couldn’t agree more. Bianca Spender brings refinement to detail in tailored suits, dream gowns and elegant individual pieces that cannot be matched. Their online store has a unique sizing system to help you find the perfect fit. The Bianca Spender range runs from 4-18.

ECA accredited: Yes

Amount made in Australia: 100%

Shop: www.biancaspender.com

589 Military Rd, Mosman NSW 2088

Cue

Founded in 1968, Cue is still a 100% family-owned and operated business. All Cue designs originate from their head office in Surry Hills, Sydney. Their significant investment in the local Australian manufacturing industry enables Cue to have longstanding relationships with makers, while also remaining reactive and ethically conscious. Cue has been accredited with ECA since 2009 ensuring that it’s local supply chain is transparent and ethical.

ECA accredited: Yes

Amount made in Australia: The majority of Cue’s products are proudly made in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia.

Shop: www.cue.com

Below Image: Bianca Spender

Shop ethical tees made in Sydney

Citizen Wolf

Designed and made in Sydney, Citizen Wolf is the home of the perfect fitted tee. They have elevated the experience of clothing through their iconic ‘Magic Fit” technology, creating custom, high-quality clothing made on-demand. This eco-friendly brand is zero waste and customers receive free repairs for life.

ECA accredited: Yes

Amount made in Australia: 100%

Shop: www.citizenwolf.com

Woolerina

Established in 2005, Woolerina is an Australian-owned and operated family business based at Forbes in central west NSW. Woolerina was born out of a love for the Merino fibre and their passion for the fibre and producing amazingly comfortable clothing only continues to grow!

ECA accredited: Yes

Amount made in Australia: 100%

Shop: www.woolerina.com.au

Below Image: Citizen Wolf

Buy ethical linen clothing in Sydney

Pankina Clothing

ECA accredited: Yes

Amount made in Australia: 100%

Shop: www.pankinaclothing.com.au

Image Below: Pankina Clothing

Shop ethical wool from Sydney

Woolerina

Woolerina has been family-owned and operated since 2005, producing beautifully crafted garments and covers the whole family, head-to-toe in gorgeous locally grown merino pieces. The team handpicks the wool from the Sydney Wool Selling Centre. Designs are inspired by the beauty of simplicity, timeless silhouettes and basic styling, creating garments that can be handed down to generations to come.

ECA accredited: Yes

Amount made in Australia: 100%

Shop: www.woolerina.com.au

To discover and shop for more ethical fashion brands in Sydney look at our Digital Shopping Map. The map is your go-to guide for retail store locations Australia wide.

Please note: This guide was last updated on 14 July 2021.

Below Image: Woolerina

Do your research

Ethical Clothing Australia’s accreditation program creates a level playing field for the brands and manufacturers that pass an ECA audit. The audit ensures that the rights of the talented and hard-working people behind each garment are being protected – that they are receiving the correct wages, their entitlements and are working in safe conditions according to Australian workplace laws.

When understanding what makes a brand ethical, there’s a lot to consider. Here are the fundamentals ECA looks at in a compliance audit, which is a great place to start when researching and finding where to shop ethical fashion:

Employee wages and entitlements are met as per the Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award 2020 or any other applying award.

• TCF Award 2020, making sure workers get paid enough).
• Working conditions are occupational health and safety (OHS) inspected and Workcover insurance is available, (ensuring the space they work in is safe and that if an injury occurred then a first aid kit and other essentials are available).
• Evidence of accruals: annual and other leave has been accrued, and paid correctly, (because all workers deserve the leave they’re entitled to).
• Meeting with the workers as well as home workers, (face to face conversations with workers so they know about the audit and what it covers).
• Assessing all onshore suppliers, including any outsourced services such as embroidery or screen printing , (every step of the way, these standards need to be maintained).

As we look at the supply chain and process involved in making textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) products, we start to see how many hands have been involved and how important it is to look after each one.

If you’re short on time you can head straight to our brand directory and know you’re buying ethically with any one of our ECA accredited brands.

Ask questions of brands

How are your garment workers treated?

Everyone deserves a safe work environment, from designers to garment workers to those who dispatch your clothing. Without ethical treatment of workers, employees can be under-paid, denied bathroom breaks, meal breaks and proper care when injured or sick. When asking brands about how their workers are treated, keep them accountable and make sure that their actions count. Shopping ethically supports workers who are receiving living wages and encourages these fantastic ethical brands to continue to manufacture in Australia.

How do you ensure safe working conditions for garment workers?

A consumer asking about the working conditions of a business’s garment workers is a joy for ethical brands and simultaneously puts pressure on brands that are not up to scratch. For ethical brands, they get to proudly share all the effort they’ve put into making their working conditions safe, fair and ethical. Whereas for unethical brands, asking what the working conditions are can lead to allusive, vague answers covering up their lack of standards. For ECA, having safe working conditions for garment workers includes OHS inspection of amenities, having electricals checked from the toaster to the sewing machines, even ensuring that the workplace has a working fire extinguisher with the correct service date. These seemingly little things if overlooked can add up to a dangerous workplace. Asking these questions can increase demand for safe working conditions for all garment workers.

Does the brand have a transparent supply chain?

A great first step when looking into a brand’s ethical practices is to see if they have a transparency page on their website. Transparency pages usually reflect the willingness of a brand to share information behind the scenes and about their products. Ethical brands that know and respect their garment workers will often share photos of the team and their factory because they are proud of each person behind their ethical brand and practices that go into making the clothes. If you cannot find this page, you can email the brand and ask about their transparency policy and for details about their supply chain. With more demand and consumer pressure, comes the push for brands to share what goes into their garments, leaving no room for shady practices and encourages brands to take the steps necessary to become ECA accredited.

Does the brand share ethical and sustainable goals?

This is another question you can ask. Goals and targets show that a brand is at least considering their practices. You can help to keep them accountable by asking what the smaller steps are and when you can expect certain changes to be implemented. This builds accountability and pushes them to take greater steps toward being an ethical brand as they can see their customers are voting with their dollars.  Look for goals with tangible results, not just sidestepping over issues, (for example, starting a charity, while very commendable, doesn’t benefit their garment workers).

How much of their clothing is manufactured in Australia?

You don’t know what you can’t see. ECA only audits brands, manufacturers and suppliers based in Australia and there are a lot of benefits to producing onshore. When clothing is produced in Australia, there’s more accountability of both the company as a whole, but also the business leaders and marketers who sell their products. If there’s unethical manufacturing occurring, it can’t be blamed on being “out of sight”. There are also greater benefits to local production like keeping the valuable skills of sewing and pattern making alive locally, supporting local manufacturing and jobs and greater collaboration between Australian businesses.

ECA’s Certification Trade Mark

Our accreditation makes it easy when shopping ethically. When you see a brand who displays the ECA trade mark, you know that brand values ethical production and treats their workers fairly in line with Australian law. Our accreditation is renewed each year, so you know the standard will not change.

What does ECA’s accreditation mean for garment workers?

An ECA accreditation means the brand has met all the criteria in the compliance audit. It means everyone in the entire supply chain from designers to garment workers and all the way to dispatch are getting paid fairly, both in their wages, their super and their leave entitlements. It means having the correct breaks, working safe workplaces with kind treatment. It means your garments are made with love.

Why you can trust an ECA accreditation

An ECA accredited business must undertake an annual renewal process. This ensures the standards and practices are in place and stay up to date according to a range of Australian workplace laws. ECA’s compliance team audits each step of production, so that every supplier and manufacturer involved in the creation of a garment is included. This means your ethical purchase is a vote in support of the many hands involved in the creation of the garment.

How to identify ECA accredited brands

You can find ECA accredited brands in our brand directory. Ethical brands with ECA certification are able to display the ECA certification trade mark on their website and garment swing tags. Make sure to keep an eye out! If you are un sure you can always search for a brand on our website.

ECA exists to protect the lives of Australian garment workers

ECA was created to protect garment workers and to make it as easy as possible for shoppers to find and support ethical brands. Our accreditation sets a standard for brands, manufacturers and value-adding businesses seeking to manufacture ethically and locally.

Find ECA accredited brands in our brand directory or you can find out more about ECA accreditation on our website and in our accreditation guidelines.

Julia has been working in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Industry for more than 27 years. Starting her career locally in Adelaide working in product development, designing, pattern making, managing businesses and sourcing factories for wedding dress, sportswear, women’s fashion and kids wear manufacturers before starting Sample Room in 2009.

Can you tell us about the cost comparison research you have done about manufacturing onshore vs offshore – what insights did you find?

This is a very interesting topic. I had a gut feeling about this many years ago and undertook this research in 2019. The results were very surprising, the industry assumption is that it is cheaper to manufacture offshore, but this is not necessarily the case. The results of our research showed that with all things considered such as development, manufacturing, freight, and fault rates, you were better off manufacturing in Australia.

This information has become much more widely recognised after 2020 and the impacts of COVID-19 on both international and local industries. Many businesses encountered the tipping point of quantity and number of styles being produced. For those making less than 20 styles and less than 1000 pieces per style, it really is worth looking into manufacturing onshore. Based on pre pandemic numbers, our research found through a comparison on four styles manufacturing 300 pieces per-style resulted in a lower cost per piece when manufactured on shore. On top of that a designer then needs to take into consideration that the local industry can offer lower minimum order quantities (MOQ’s) which will also help to lower your overall costs.

What are your thoughts on how we can secure the future of the Australian TCF industry and the workers in it?

Now is a great time to put the skills of our local industries talented workers to the test. From smaller runs with quick turnaround times to improved fit, the ability to quickly pivot when needed and the ability to communicate your requirements for unique designs, there is an opportunity for Australian designers, businesses and bigger brands to branch out and grow. I would like to see the technicians and workers behind the scenes highlighted as much as the designers to attract people to want to work in these roles and create a collaborative approach to development.

Realising that creation is a team effort is essential to this shift. This education can also extend to the consumer, so they see who made their clothes to create a connection and understand of the costs involved. We need honest and genuine transparency, as without the technicians, skilled garment workers and manufacturers, designers are at the mercy of global politics, pandemics, freight issues and whatever else is out of their control. It is fair to say that it is in the best interest of the local design industry to nurture this.

Over the last couple of years, we have developed our workroom and equipment at Sample Room to support people who are making card patterns with other pattern makers. We have had a digitizer machine for many years, but the process of digitizing patterns was inaccurate and requires a huge effort of re-printing and re-checking. I just never felt it was accurate enough to reflect the detailed work that has been put into the patterns. I have had my eye on a particular scanner for a few years and we decided to invest in this equipment at the beginning of last year. This allows us to scan in patterns with 99.99% accuracy. This is the same machine used by NASA, allowing us to scan, grade and print markers or card with incredibly fast turnaround.

Is there a final message that you have about the importance of ECA accreditation and protecting the rights and lives of our local garment workers?

This industry is labour-intensive and will be for many years to come. The people behind the scenes are incredibly important to the survival of all fashion brands. Having an understanding to what is involved and the specialist skills each person provides is the first step to respecting the people who are there to support you in reaching success. From the first phone call to the last collection, just to treat everyone you talk to as you would like to be treated. There is gold in the knowledge that is behind the scenes and many people who are willing to support you.

Sample Room is proudly 100% made in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. You can find out more about Sample Room Here

We often baulk at laying down cash or swiping a card for expensive purchases, even if we know that we are making a good investment at the time.

This often applies to ethical fashion. Compared with fast fashion brands, ethical fashion brands seem to cost their products much higher, which can make our money-savvy brains think we aren’t getting a bargain or are missing out on a deal. When in fact, we are usually the ones missing out on a good deal when we opt to buy fast fashion.

Investing in an ethical and well-made garment means we don’t have to spend our valuable time looking for the same garment season after season, as it’s already hanging in our wardrobe. It also cuts down the amount of clothing in our wardrobe, making it easier and less stressful to get dressed on those busy “must-get-out-the-door” type days.

When we choose to spend our money with a brand that values its workers and cares about the longevity of its garments, we are voting for a better future and helping set the standard for other brands to follow.

Want to know a bit more before you spend all your hard-earned money on that ethically made jumper? Well, let’s unravel, (pun intended) the cost gap between ethical and fast fashion and why investing in ethically made clothing helps to build a better wardrobe.

One study released by Oxfam found that the garment workers who made our clothing weren’t receiving a living wage. In Bangladesh, workers were paid as little as 39 cents an hour, which isn’t enough to cover basic needs such as food, housing and healthcare. While we may think this is an isolated issue in international countries, the reality is that it happens here in Australia too.
Many manufacturers employ out workers (also known as home workers). These workers are based outside the traditional factory or work environment. They often do not understand their rights as Australian workers due to a lack of spoken English and often due to these boundaries struggle to speak up when they experience unethical working conditions, such as long hours, not receiving correct award pay rates or no entitlements such as leave or superannuation.

When a brand is accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA), the ECA accreditation ensures that any worker who works in that brand’s supply chain receives the correct wages and entitlements and are working in safe conditions under Australian Law. Supporting the work that accreditation bodies like ECA do is important for the future of the fashion industry.

So, when you next head off to buy something for your wardrobe, ask yourself a few questions. Did the workers who made this garment work in a safe and secure environment? Were they paid a living wage or at least the minimum wage? Is this a company that you want to support?
The more we support brands who are doing the right thing, the more we set the standard for other brands to follow.

Imagine opening your wardrobe and inside are four coats. Three of the four coats are from fast fashion brands, they have begun to lose their shape, the stitching has started to unravel, and they have to be layered with another jumper to keep you warm. You only bought these on sale at the end of last winter! The fourth coat is made by an ethically accredited brand, it still retains its structure, the fabric feels smooth against your skin and most importantly, it keeps you warm. What’s the bet that you reach for the fourth coat the most?

Due to the skills, talent, extensive training and passionate craftsmanship of their workers, ethical brands ensure that their garments will last season after season. One example of this is Denimsmith.

Because brands like Denimsmith and their craftspeople take the time and focus on making their denim goods with care rather than focusing on creating for profit. Their jeans are loved and cared for by their loyal customers. Investing in garments such as these means we need to spend less on our wardrobes in the long term.

Those marketing geniuses behind fast fashion brands work hard to make sure you want something new and shiny season after season. They trick you into thinking that having the latest trend in your wardrobe is the key to living a happy life. But not all trends are created equally, not all trends suit the body shapes and sizes that buy them. Soon your wardrobe is filled with pieces that don’t flatter and prints that don’t match.

When you decide to stop buying into trends and invest in well-made pieces, you will find that your wardrobe may shrink. Don’t worry, it’s for the best! By taking a considered approach to shopping, we can narrow down what we want from our wardrobes. Investing in key pieces such as staple coats, and jeans, (or pants) can help us to build a wardrobe that we love.

Defining your values also helps to build a better wardrobe. Do you want to support brands that pay a living wage and provide a safe space for their garment workers? Maybe you’d like to support the Australian manufacturing industry (check out ECA’s digital shopping map)? Once you have identified some of your core values, you can work on finding brands that match them and begin to build a wardrobe that represents you and your values.

If you are someone who does want to get the most bang for your buck, try embracing the “Cost Per Wear” (CPW) method to your clothing before buying. Cost Per Wear is a great way to help you invest in pricier pieces as you analyse how many times you would wear something before taking the leap. CPW is the price you pay for a garment, divided by the number of times you wear it. For example, if you buy a garment for $100, and wear it four times, that garment cost you $25 each time you wore it. So, the more you wear, the less the CPW is.

By thinking about your clothing as investments rather than trend-driven purchases, you can use the CPW calculation to get your money’s worth. Purchasing higher quality, timeless garments can also help you build a wardrobe that doesn’t rely on trends or forces you to buy something new each week. This in turn saves you money and reduces the amount of clutter in your wardrobe.

Stopping the habit of weekly fast fashion purchases can be challenging, I know it took me many years to stop the weekly peek at new trends. But, I know that once I made the switch to saving up for a garment from an ethical brand, I found that my wardrobe was filled with garments that I loved and cared for. Getting dressed is now a walk in the park compared to the messy “I have nothing to wear” days of before. While I can still be tempted by a flashy fast fashion piece glinting at me from the window when I walk past, I know that there is no room in my wardrobe for brands that don’t align with my values.

You can find out more about Jenna and The Ironic Minimalist Here

This week is Fashion Revolution Week. The week was started after the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which killed 1,138 people and injured many more on 24th April, 2013. It’s a week where important conversations are started, where we are all encouraged to ask brands, “who made my clothes” and where we can continue to create change in the TCF industry both here in Australia and internationally.  

As part of the week, ECA accredited Woolerina have shared a meet and greet series with their local team. Read on to find out who makes your clothes, Woolerina style! 

Meet Warwick… Warwick is the founder of Woolerina and has held a strong passion for Merino wool for more than 45 years! Warwick held a dream of taking Merino wool directly off-farm and following it through to a finished garment and that dream led to Woolerina. Warwick is involved in all aspects of the business, however his primary role is selecting the raw wool for their garments and following the process through the spinning of the yarn, knitting and dying of the fabric and then to the cutting and sewing of garments. 

“I enjoy seeing the response from our customers when they feel and try our garments on and their realisation of how wonderful the wool fibre is. It really gives me a buzz when the customers comment on the quality, not only the feel of our fabrics but also the finish of our garments.” 

Meet Rosemary… Rosemary is in charge of Woolerinas front–of–house. You will often meet her if you shop in-store and if you order online, your order is more often-than-not packed by Rosemary. Rosemary is always very willing to help wherever she can and sometimes can be found tying swing tags on garments or sweeping the work room floor! 

“I love the diversity of my job, and the people I work with. I love their passion for the entire process of producing the end product ethically.” 

Meet Pippa + Penny… Penny and Pippa are sisters, best friends and Warwick’s daughters. They have followed in their dads’ footsteps and share his passion for Merino wool – maybe because they were always told from day dot, “if you are cold, put a merino wool singlet on!” Pippa is primarily in charge of marketing, social media and Woolerina’s wholesale customers and Penny is the backbone to Woolerina, keeping the team in line. 

 “We love our team! Everyone is unique and brings their own personal touch to each aspect of their job. We are so appreciative of our team and how hard they work and everyone’s willingness to jump in wherever needed to get the job done!” 

Meet Charlene, Delia, Melissa and Trudie (away when picture was taken)… 

Delia is the Production Manager and has been working at Woolerina since 2014 when she came for “just a few days work”. Seven years later, she’s still there! Delia creates all of the patterns and manages Woolerina’s team of sewers.  

“The people are great to work with, it’s very collaborative, all opinions are valued. It is not working when you enjoy what you are doing each day.”  

Charlene is one of Woolerina’s Machinists with a very high attention to detail and she has been part of the Woolerina team for nearly two years, she is always very willing to help out where needed but also very happy to put her head down and get the job done! 

“I love the product and am proud to be in a team that has a high standard of workmanship. I love that Woolerina is a locally based country business who employs people to stay in a rural community” 

Melissa is another one of Woolerina’s machinists with more than six years at Woolerina. She has recently started to manage the internal system of ensuring all of the patterns are correctly digitised.   

“I love working at Woolerina because even after working here for almost seven years I am still finding opportunities to learn from not only advances in technology and fabrics, but also from team mates.” 

Trudie is the latest addition to the team, bringing years of sewing experience with her. Trudie is very willing to jump in when needed and sure knows how to get the machines humming! 

“The thing I love about Woolerina is you are part of a family, not just a number. I love hearing Warwick, Penny and Pippa show customers and visitors through our work room as to hear them talk so passionately about what they have been able to produce makes me proud to be a part of this Australian and local business.”