How I approach animal-derived materials in ethical fashion design decisions.

As a wee girl, I used to build whole castles and villages for the ants, at home and at school, complete with moats, and little trails of sugar so they'd have something to feast on. It is one of my early memories when it comes to my obsession with animals.

Around that same age, my dad once pulled the car over, the whole family on board, on an outback road when we came across a lamb which had gotten itself caught in a cattle grate. I still remember the feel of its firm springy fleece under my hand. I gently patted its head and told it we were going to set it free. Its family were nowhere to be seen, and I've wondered ever since whether we put it back down on the right side of the road.

On that same outback trip, we camped near a kangaroo and its family, and I spent a lot of time with them while we were there. I remember it resting its paw on my shoulder once, calm and unhurried. If I'm honest, it scared me a little too. But it taught me something that's stuck with me since: respect for every creature, on their terms, in their own habitat.

These moments have stayed with me.

I've always wanted to look after every creature I come across, and that's exactly why it matters to me that my business doesn't cause harm to animals either. by Audrey & Grace doesn't use animal-derived fabrics or other materials in garment construction, and I haven't purchased any animal-derived materials in over five years.

But I want to be upfront, because I'd rather be honest than look flawless.

There are still a very small number of wool blend trousers in my range, made from deadstock fabric I already had before I made this decision. Rather than make them disappear, so I can claim there are no animal derived products in my collections, I'll keep them available until they sell. I design pieces to be worn for years and styled with what you already own, not chasing what's new season, and that's the same reason stock doesn't get discounted or thrown out just because it isn't the newest thing. If a piece is well made and still relevant, it stays part of the collection until someone finds it.

There's also some deadstock silk tucked under my cutting table from before this decision. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, whether that's a future design or a different responsible path. Whatever I choose won't be about what's trending or what earns me credibility with anyone. It'll be based on what's best in the long run.

So right now, by Audrey & Grace isn't 100% free of animal-derived product. That's the goal, once this remaining stock, wool and silk both, has found its way to a considered end. I'm not striving to appear perfect. I'm striving to do the right thing, and to approach these decisions with care.

If I ever look at wool again for new purchases, it won't be a quick decision. There's a lot I still need to learn, particularly around the effects of mulesing versus unmulesed sheep. In most Australian states there's currently no requirement for producers to give pain relief during mulesing, only Victoria and Tasmania make it mandatory, so this isn't a settled or simple area, and I want to feel confident I've gathered unbiased research from many sources before I land anywhere on this, not just the first strong opinion I come across.

The fabric treatment side matters too. A lot of "machine washable" wool goes through a chemical process called superwash, which coats the fibre in a thin layer of plastic resin. There's real disagreement in current research about whether this sheds microplastics into waterways, some studies say yes, some newer ones suggest it biodegrades faster than untreated wool and doesn't shed much at all. Not too keen on any shedding or plastic either way to be honest.

So there is much to learn, and I'd rather take the time than pretend I already have the answer. Until I'm confident on both counts, it's a no.

You can read more about my full approach to materials on my sustainability page, and I'm always happy to answer questions about a specific fabric, just get in touch.

Questions people ask me

Does by Audrey & Grace use wool?
A very small number of older trousers use deadstock wool blend fabric I already had in my stash. I haven't purchased any new wool, or any animal-derived material, in over five years.

Does by Audrey & Grace use silk?
There's some deadstock silk left in my studio from before I stopped buying animal-derived materials. It hasn't been used in a current design, and I haven't decided its future yet.

Is by Audrey & Grace 100% animal-free?
Not yet, and I won't pretend otherwise. That's the goal once my remaining wool and silk deadstock has found a considered end.

What is mulesing, and does it factor into your decisions?
Mulesing is a painful procedure performed on lambs to prevent flystrike. Pain relief is only mandatory in Victoria and Tasmania. It's one of the reasons I haven't decided whether to use new wool again, I want proper, unbiased research first.

Will by Audrey & Grace ever use new wool again?
Only if I'm confident on two things: verified animal welfare standards, and a fabric treatment that doesn't involve chemical superwash processes I'm not comfortable with. Until then, it's a no.