10 Sustainable fashion brands and changemakers in Sydney

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors globally. It contaminates water with manufacturing chemicals. It releases harmful emissions from factories. It exploits workers and fills landfills with unworn clothes due to fast fashion.

A growing number of small businesses are stepping up to change the game. They’re proving that fashion can be done differently and sustainably. From sourcing organic materials to taking care of the end-of-life cycle of their products, or promoting second-hand clothing, these innovative brands and changemakers in Sydney and across Australia are leading the way toward a more sustainable fashion future.

• The Social Outfit: More than just a clothing brand, the Social Outfit is a social enterprise! They provide employment opportunities for refugee and migrant communities in a supportive environment and ethical manufacturing studio. 85% of their garments are made from donated and dead stock fabric. Many of their items are made to order as part of their slower fashion model which aims to reduce overproduction.

• Citizen Wolf: Citizen Wolf’s approach to design is very unique: you tell them what you want and they make it. Rather than producing a bunch of clothes and hoping that clients will buy them, they operate through an on-demand system, only producing what clients want and using organic cotton. Zero inventory means zero waste! And on top of that, they do free repairs for their clients and take old clothes for recycling, embracing a full cycle. Learn more about Citizen Wolf’s sustainable journey in our exclusive interview with co-founder Zoltan Csaki here.

• EcoStyles: Eco Styles is an organisation actively pushing for systemic change towards a circular economy in the fashion industry. They engage with media, councils, organizations, schools, community groups, and individuals to develop strategies for systems change towards a holistic circular and sustainable fashion future. On top of that, they host monthly clothes swaps open to the community. You can bring your old clothes in good shape and find some new treasures!

• Second Life Markets: These markets are also a great opportunity to get some second-hand good and local products. They are the perfect place to go if you’re looking to renovate your closet with some vintage clothing, but also if you want to get some new accessories.

• Akubra: Akubra is a family-owned company and local brand with more than 130 years of trajectory. They are mostly dedicated to the manufacturing of hats and hat accessories, maintaining high ethical standards, as indicated by their Ethical Clothing Australia certification.

• Thread Together: This organization is actively working to address clothing insecurity and, at the same time, the excess of clothing produced by the fast fashion industry. They collect end-of-life new stock from fashion retailers and give it to people in need, often partnering with local charities.

• Upparel: They are one of the biggest textile recyclers in the country. They collect garments and turn them into new recyclable material that can be used for packaging, signage, homewares, and more! They are mostly available in Melbourne but have a few drop-off locations in the NSW area in partnership with Paddy Pallin and Macpac. 

• Pearl Button Bridal: A very niche idea, but completely necessary! Pearl Button Bridal is an ethical and sustainable bridal studio. They incorporate sustainability in their production process through their solar-powered facilities, the option of designing the dress to be reused, and the use of silk as their main fiber because it is biodegradable and uses less water. They are certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.

• Venroy: This brand is very local to the Sydney area. They produce mostly linen-based products, limit seasonal trends to avoid overproduction, and they manufacture about 80% of their products in the area.

• Jac+Jack: They work with organic fabrics, such as cashmere, wool, organic cotton, linen and silk, and prioritize quality over quantity in their manufacturing processes. They also minimize waste through paper-based and compostable packaging, and offer a repair service for their products when required.