Fashion Revolution Week showcases Australian Made producers
- Written by Caitlin Blair
The 'revolution' uses social media to spread the very important message about supporting locally made, ethical fashion, by encouraging consumers to ask the question ‘who made my clothes?’
The Australian Made Campaign is encouraging all clothing, accessory, yarn and fibre manufacturers to get involved and promote the stories behind their locally made goods during Fashion Revolution Week, which takes place between 22-28 April 2019.
Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive, Ben Lazzaro, says the initiative “helps shine a light on Australian clothing and accessories manufacturers; as well as producers of Australian Grown fibre.”
“It helps to raise awareness amongst consumers of the high standards of production in Australia, the many local brands that have a sustainable story to tell and the importance of supporting local jobs.”
“The Australian Made Campaign is proud to partner with Fashion Revolution Week to help educate consumers about the fashion supply chain, so they can be better informed when making their purchasing decisions,” he said.
“There is excellent value available from local fashion made to Australia’s high manufacturing and safety standards and the positive flow-on effects for the community and the environment are extensive.”
Mr. Lazzaro says looking for the Australian Made, Australian Grown logo (AMAG logo) is the easiest way to identify clothing that is genuinely made in Australia.
“The Australian Made logo is a powerful symbol that appears on more than 1000 clothing, footwear and fashion accessories products sold here and overseas by 200 businesses. When consumers see the AMAG logo they can feel confident that what they’re buying is made in Australia by the local fashion industry, because it is has been through our checks and balances.”
Photo caption: Busy hands at work in the Rundle Tailoring workshop in Newcastle, New South Wales
Andrew Rundle, fourth generation tailor and co-owner of Australian-made family business Rundle Tailoring, which has been making men’s suits in Newcastle, New South Wales since 1908, says he hopes participating in Fashion Revolution Week for the third year running will help encourage consumers to buy local.
“As one of the country’s last Australian made suit manufacturers of our size we are proud to join the global Fashion Revolution movement. To raise awareness that we are still manufacturing suits on-site here in Newcastle after 110 years we have filmed a video of a live suit making demonstration in our shop front window and also shot a campaign featuring several of our made to measure clients asking them #whomademyclothes,” Mr. Rundle said.
“We will be taking part in the @slowwearingwell #whomademyclothes walking trail across Newcastle City on Saturday 27th April which aims to bring attention to the business owner operators, designers and craftspeople who are ‘manufacturing’ in-store and on-site, providing sustainable clothing solutions”.
Mr. Rundle urges Aussie shoppers to consider buying ‘slow fashion’ and to make regular purchasing decisions that help keep employment and skills in Australia.
“Shoppers should consider buying Australian made garments and accessories all the time not just during Fashion Revolution week. When shoppers spend money buying our Australian made suits it supports our local economy with local workers and jobs,” he said.
It supports all the businesses that we get our supplies from and it supports the greater community with the money that our employees and suppliers spend in the community. It also supports Australian manufacturing and the skill set of our workers remaining in Australia.”
Anyone can get involved in Fashion Revolution Week by posting a ‘selfie’ on social media, either showcasing an Australian-made brand with the caption 'I know who made my clothes' or calling out to brands with the question 'who made my clothes?' using the hashtags #whomademyclothes, #FashionRevolution, @fash_rev_ausnz and @AustralianMadeCampaign.
Fashion Revolution Week runs from 22-28 April 2019. For more information visit www.fashionrevolution.org.
To find more than 1000 clothing, footwear and accessories products licensed to carry the Australian Made logo visit australianmade.com.au/products.