What We Wear Matters: What’s On at Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2023!
- Words by Peppermint
above COURTESY OF ETHICAL CLOTHING AUSTRALIA
As any conscious consumer will tell you, what we wear matters. Our clothing and shopping choices not only impact the planet and the economy – every time we add to cart, the reality is we’re also affecting the life and livelihood of the person who made the clothes.
In Australia alone, nearly half a million skilled garment workers – 77% of them women – are employed in factories and as outworkers (working from their homes) to make the clothes we wear. This huge population exists in an industry that’s at times unregulated with workers facing issues of exploitation, unsafe conditions, isolation, long hours and unstable employment – problems that can be exacerbated when workers have English as an additional language or find it difficult to access information about their rights.
Ethical Clothing Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that, for the last 20 years, has focused on protecting workers’ rights in the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry. Its comprehensive accreditation process assesses all parts of a business’s local supply chain: from the operations of their head office through to “on the ground” design, pattern making, cutting, sewing, outsourced work and more – all with the goal of ensuring that every worker in the chain is treated and compensated fairly.
As you might imagine, it’s a huge undertaking for the organisation and a true commitment to ethical production – something Ethical Clothing Australia aims to recognise and celebrate during its upcoming ECA Week 2023 from 9–15 October.
We want the Australian public to also know about their commitment, and for the public to champion these businesses by buying locally and ethically.
“We are so proud of the commitment ECA-accredited brands and manufacturers make to producing locally, and to protecting and upholding the rights of their workers throughout their entire local supply chain,” says ECA National Manager, Rachel Reilly.
“We want the Australian public to also know about their commitment, and for the public to champion these businesses by buying locally and ethically.”
Now in its third year, ECA Week is a national celebration of ethical fashion and the people behind it, offering both in-person events across Victoria and New South Wales, plus a vibrant digital program from brands like The Social Studio, Cue and Clothing the Gaps.
Peppermint is very proud to be the official media partner of Ethical Clothing Australia and we can’t wait to get amongst all the events of ECA Week! Below you’ll find a round-up of some of the amazing events on offer including factory tours, specialty shopping nights, panels and more!
All of these events are free and open to the public, so if you’ve ever been interested in learning more about some of Australia’s most well-known and beloved ethical brands, check out the full program here and book tickets!
ECA WEEK 2023
Denimsmith VIP Night – Fitzroy, Victoria
Tuesday 10 October | 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Shop after-hours with the jean geniuses at Denimsmith! The family-owned business is opening its doors for an exclusive VIP shopping experience that includes fit and styling sessions, plus a Q&A with Denimismith’s team and ECA’s national manager Rachel Reilly.
Vince Clothing Factory Tour – Brunswick East, Victoria
Wednesday 11 October | 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Go behind the scenes with a tour of the Vince Clothing factory. Featuring an introduction by ECA’s accreditation program advisor Emma Conos, and the chance to meet the team from Vince Clothing, this is a unique opportunity to see a working garment factory.
Next State Factory Tour and Demonstration – Thornbury, Victoria
Wednesday 11 October 2023 | 10.00am – 11.00am
Ever wanted to print your own fabric? Learn all about digital printing with Next State founder Chole Kerr. Chole will share essential tips on how to get the best possible outcome for your print, including software options, file preparation and fabric selection. Best of all, your ticket gives you the chance to bring in your own digital file and watch it be printed on the spot!
READ MORE – CONSCIOUS CURATION: CARRY YOUR ECO-CRED IN THESE SUSTAINABLE BAGS
Remuse Virtual Tour – Online
Saturday 14 October 2023 | 12.00pm – 1.00pm
Peppermint alum Remuse (we featured their contemporary designs in Issue 53) will take you on a virtual tour of their studio, where they design, manufacture and dye their “plant-based cosmic earthwear”. All attendees will also receive 10% off their next online purchase!
Knovus Knit Studio Tour – Carlton, Victoria
Tuesday 10 October 2023 and Thursday 12 October 2023 | 10.00am – 11.00am
Knitters unite! Get an intimate look at knitwear manufacturing with a studio tour of Knovus Knit‘s Carlton studio, including a peek at the revolutionary Shima Seiki Wholegarment Knitting Machine which produces the world’s first seam-free knitwear. Your ticket also gives you an exclusive 15% discount on workshop bookings.
Flatiron Exclusive Release
Designed by sisters Sam Scally and Penny Duggan and manufactured in Melbourne, Flatiron is well-loved for its understated and utterly cool pieces and commitment to ethical production. During ECA week, Flatiron will release their best-selling Parks Top, with each unique piece made using the founder’s picks of their favourite fabrics from past seasons. Available exclusively from 9–15 October.
KEEP AN EYE ON ECA’S SOCIALS FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Melco Fabrics Warehouse Tour – Charmhaven, New South Wales
Thursday 12 October 2023 | 9.00am – 4.30pm
Enjoy a “day in the life” with a visit to Melco Fabrics. The female-founded business – which proudly mills and prints all its fabrics in Australia – will open its doors for a full day so you can tour its facilities, meet the team and learn more about what it means to make a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
What You Need to Know About ECA Accreditation: Information Session for TCF Businesses – Online
Wednesday 11 October 2023 | 2.00pm
Thinking about your own business and ECA accreditation? This online event is a perfect opportunity for any designer or business to meet the team behind Ethical Clothing Australia and learn more about the process of accreditation and how to apply.
This article was produced in collaboration with the fine folk at ECA. ECA Week is on from 9–15 October in locations around Victoria, New South Wales and online. Check the ECA website for more details.
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This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
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Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
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Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
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As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
