The fight to save the climate has never been hotter and slogan tees brandishing environmental messages in support of climate action are all the rage. In the lead up to the Global Climate Strike on September 20, a number of environmental and political organisations have released their own pro-climate swag. All power to them for...
Author: Megan O'Malley (Megan O'Malley)
An Open Letter to the Ethical Fashion Movement
To all those involved in the ethical fashion movement, We need to talk. The current narrative that dominates our ethical fashion space, and many others with an ethical or sustainability focus, is that if we buy better we can save the world. “Vote with your wallet and be the change,” we say. Encouraging us to...
How Akamae Uses Fashion Co-Creation To Support Refugee Communities
Many brands nowadays choose to work with disadvantaged communities in countries across the world to create and manufacture their products. Unlike large corporations which primarily focus on profit and growth, usually the intention behind these businesses is to generate social impact. Most don’t function as charities but aim to provide sustainable employment and income for...
Are You An Ethical Narcissist?
Millennials are often praised for their desire to shop their values, create change and make the world a better place. But we don’t just like to do good, we like to be seen to be doing good. We all know, what I like to term, an ethical narcissist. In fact, at times, I am probably...
Tumnus: A Sustainable Way to Get Your Fashion Fix
Melbourne, Australia: Like many, Tumnus founder Shanya Suppasiritad was heartbroken when she first watched The True Cost documentary and became aware of the less than glamorous impact of the fashion industry. A stylist at the time, she was disheartened to discover that while she was trying to help her clients feel good about themselves and improve...
It’s Time to Stop the Glorification of Busy
I am so busy right now. I’ve actually been so busy that I am only now getting around to finishing off this article I started writing a month ago. I’m the busiest. I bet you’re pretty busy too. How many times in the last month have you complained about how full your schedule is? I...
Not Another Ethical Fashion Brand, Please
You’ve just watched The True Cost, discovered the terrible, awful, mind-blowing evils of the fashion industry and you want to do something to help. You’ve always loved fashion and fancied yourself a bit of a creative so why not start your very own ethical fashion label to help fight the good fight? Makes sense. You...
I Don’t Want Your Capsule Wardrobe
Minimalism is trending big time, especially when it comes to fashion. Many people are no longer fantasising about a walk in wardrobe the size of a small house and instead are looking to scale down the amount of clothing they own. The capsule wardrobe concept, a curated selection of 10-30 items that are worn on...
Design by JUDE: A Label That Lasts
Design by JUDE is a Melbourne based label with a difference. I attended the launch of their new collection in November, was warmly welcomed into their studio in Fitzroy and given the tour. Inspired by the earthy colours and moods of the Australian landscape, Designer and Director Jude Ng’s SS17 Collection, entitled Soft Terrain, is...
3 Ethical Spectacles and Prescription Eyewear Brands For Our Stylish Four-Eyed Pals
Four eyed friends rejoice! There are lots of ethical spectacle options out there for you my visually impaired people. As someone who is squeamish about contacts but needs some kind of lenses to see and function in life, over the last few years I have searched far and wide for the best frames available. Glasses...
Op Shop Your Values: How Transparent Is Your Charity Thrift Shop?
Melbourne, Australia: In recent years, there has been a growing movement of people demanding more transparency from the businesses they buy from. We want to know where our food was grown, who made our clothes and how the materials for our smartphones were sourced. Many of us try to shop from brands that share our...
Looking Beyond Perfection
The end is nigh. Machines are taking over. You’ve watched the movies. You’ve read the doomsday articles proclaiming the apocalypse. They’re coming for our jobs. It’s really happening. Prepare your bunkers. Especially if you’re a maker. Recently Amazon announced that they were awarded a patent for an on demand apparel manufacturing system. Fancy machines will fill...