Behind every uniform, every piece of PPE and every garment in your wardrobe sits a chain of skilled people. Ethical Clothing Australia Week is dedicated to putting names, faces and stories to that chain, and to backing the businesses that treat local workers as an asset rather than a cost.

From live events, a series of co-hosted webinars, and events run by our accredited businesses themselves, the week gives the public, industry and government a reason to look twice at where their clothing comes from.

When we say “all clothing is handmade” we do not mean every product is stitched entirely by hand. We mean that every textile, clothing and footwear product still depends on human skill, human labour and human decision making at every stage of production.

Behind every finished item is a person, and often many people.

Someone designs it. Someone develops the pattern. Someone cuts the fabric or material. Someone sews or assembles it. Someone adds trims or prints. Someone checks the quality. Someone prepares it for dispatch. Machines may help along the way, but they do not replace the skilled workers whose hands and knowledge bring a product into being.

All clothing is handmade. The question is, by who and in what conditions.