Do you want the clothing that you buy to not only be stylish and practical, but also have a positive impact on the people who are producing it? Then you might want to check out One Colour.

One Colour was started in 2006 by Di and Jeff Stitt. Their aim was to help Australians to focus not only on what they are wearing, but who makes that clothing. They want the buyers of the garments to be able to make a connection with the people who produce them.

The ethically-sourced clothing, accessories and gifts are produced on the African continent, mainly in the East African region. Every purchase that is made from One Colour has a direct impact on the women who make the products, allowing them to feed, clothe and educate their children in a sustainable manner.

You can see a selection of One Colour’s pieces at the Slow Fashion Show.

What: One Colour.

Where: One Colour’s online store.

QLD: Bliss Ecowear (Paddington), Good Concepts (west End), World Vision of Australia (Townsville), Ambience (Cooktown)

NSW: Scooters Flowers (Wagga Wagga), Zuri Homewares (Katoomba).
 

How much: $20 to $100

Contact: via One Colour’s website.

Images courtesy of One Colour.

Want to get 'slow' but don't know where to start? This quick guide to slow fashion will help you to get started!

Look out for these four icons in the Slow Fashion Show at 6:30pm this Saturday 20 February in the BMW Edge at Federation Square.

Sustainable new materials reduce the impact that fashion has on farmers, garment workers, animals and the environment. Sustainable new materials include organic cotton (free from chemical pesticides/fertilisers), alternative fibres such as hemp and bamboo, and those made of by-products including cupro. The production of sustainable new materials never harms animals. Ideally, the materials are free of animal products.

Designers: Sosume, Ettitude, 3 Fish, Moral Fibre.
 

Vintage and second hand clothing keep clothes out of landfill and cut fabric waste in factories. Recycled/vintage clothing includes classic vintage items, pieces reconstructed from recycled garments, factory off-cuts and remnants and recycled materials that were once a totally different product.

Designers: Vintage & Me, The Social Studio, Body Parts,  Eco Innovators Showcase, Ron D Swan.

 Locally hand made clothing and accessories are unique, reduce energy used in transport and are made with care. Pieces are designed and made by local artisans.

Designers: Body Parts, Natalie Low, Lyptis, Eco Innovators Showcase, Ron D Swan.

 

Fair trade clothing and accessories are those where the suppliers of raw materials receive a fair price and the people who make the garments get a fair wage and with guaranteed rights. Ideally, the trade brings new benefits to communities.

Designers: The Social Studio, Moral Fibre, 3  Fish, Bhalo, One Colour, Beej, Etiko.

 

Beautiful, unique, bespoke, handmade dresses for under $80. Sound too good to be true? Melbourne designer Natalie Low offers all of this (and skirts and shirts, too!), and she will send her pieces anywhere in the world.

Natalie started designing and making clothing while in her first year of business studies at university, when she discovered that she could sell her pieces on consignment in a local boutique. She then discovered Etsy.com as a way of offering her clothing to a worldwide market.

You can see a selection of Natalie Low’s dresses at the Slow Fashion Show

What: Natalie Low

Where: Natalie’s Etsy store

Harlem Clothing
Camberwell, VIC

How much: $36 to $80

Contact: natalie.cyl@live.com.au or via her Etsy store

Images courtesy of Natalie Low.