Sustainability
Fashion has the power to make us feel incredible, but it shouldn't come at the cost of people or our planet. That's why by Audrey & Grace is committed to creating clothes that respect both, from circular and zero-waste design to Australian manufacturing and working toward 100% natural fibres.
I'm not perfect, but I'm honest and passionate about this journey. Every piece I make is a step toward a fashion industry that exists in harmony with nature. This isn't just a commitment, it's my driving force. I do this for myself, for you, and for our shared home.
Design & Production
Circular Design Philosophy
I'm working toward a fully circular model where every garment is designed with its complete lifecycle in mind. While I currently use a mix of natural fibres including cotton and linen alongside some blended fabrics, I'm actively transitioning to 100% natural fibres by 2030. This means researching, designing and redesigning existing styles to meet these sustainability goals, with compostable end-of-life outcomes as my priority. I'm also exploring a future take-back scheme to extend garment lifecycles through a resale platform and repair program to keep clothes in use longer.
Seamless Stewardship Training
My Seamless Stewardship Scheme membership has opened my eyes to the true complexities of clothing recycling and compostability. The specialist training I've completed continues to influence my design decisions, while ongoing research into fabric behaviours and end-of-life solutions shapes my material choices. Through their networking events, I'm building relationships with industry experts and joining collective voices advocating for circular fashion policy changes. Watch this space for exciting developments.
Zero Waste Design
Zero waste design represents my most resource-efficient approach to creation. My signature zero waste skirts and zero waste tops use every piece of fabric - patterns are meticulously planned like intricate puzzles so nothing goes to landfill. This process requires extensive planning and mathematical precision, but the environmental rewards are worth it. I also print fabrics to order rather than holding large inventories, eliminating overproduction waste. For designs that can't achieve complete zero waste, I strategically plan cutting layouts to minimise scraps and ensure maximum fabric utilisation. Any offcuts are carefully sorted and sent to Australian textile recycling programs, supporting the broader circular fashion ecosystem.
Timeless Design for Longevity
I create clothing that isn't answerable to seasons and trends. My focus is on classic silhouettes and versatile pieces that complement your existing wardrobe, helping you build a cohesive personal style rather than chasing fleeting fashion moments, which are often best left alone anyway. Each garment features quality construction techniques, careful attention to fit and comfort, and thoughtful finishing details that ensure durability. These are pieces you'll reach for again and again because they make you feel confident and comfortable. When clothing lasts longer, it has a far lower environmental impact, making longevity one of the most sustainable design choices of all.
Made In Australia
I make every by Audrey & Grace piece myself in my Melbourne studio. This means I control every step, from cutting patterns to final pressing, ensuring each garment meets my standards for quality and construction. Making locally keeps supply chains short, reduces carbon emissions from transport, and supports local fabric suppliers I've built genuine relationships with. It also means I'm keeping traditional garment construction skills alive and passing them on to my daughter, just as my mother and grandmothers taught me. When you choose ethically produced Australian made clothing, you're supporting local industry, and receiving a garment that's been handcrafted with intention and care.
Carefully chosen materials for people and planet
Materials & Fabrics
I carefully select fabrics that align with my sustainability values while being transparent about current limitations and ongoing research. My material mix includes Australian cotton, linen, and some blended fabrics. I prioritise locally grown cotton where possible to support farmers and reduce transport emissions, but I'm actively investigating alternatives like Good Earth Cotton and organic cotton options with GOTS certification.
The reality is I haven't been able to source 100% cotton jersey or French terry that's suitable or readily available to a business of my size. I'm currently sampling fabric from a manufacturer, but I'll need to see if my printer can work with it and whether the minimum order quantities make sense. There's no point moving to a 100% renewable product if the fabric sits on the shelf not being used.
As I transition toward 100% natural fibres by 2030, I'm committed to using existing fabric stock responsibly, including any non-natural fibres already in my studio. Discarding perfectly good materials would contradict my sustainability principles, so these fabrics will continue creating beautiful garments until my stock is exhausted. This approach prevents waste while I systematically shift toward my natural fibre goals.
My research into better fabrics involves weighing complex trade-offs: does certified organic fabric outweigh the benefits of home-grown fibres when Australian cotton must be spun overseas? I'm exploring whether organic certification is more important than the reduced carbon footprint of locally grown cotton that prioritises soil fertility and health. These questions drive my material decisions.
Every component matters. I use GOTS certified organic cotton thread for all natural fibre garments. My buttons combine preloved pieces with natural corozo options as I transition away from synthetic materials. I deliberately skip zips due to their end-of-life complications. Instead, I use organic elastic made with cotton and natural rubber, or I make design decisions that avoid closures altogether. Some products simply don't get made if I can't make them without a zip. Even my interfacing uses biodegradable cotton fabric with non-toxic, biodegradable glue.
Fabric and supply choices are under constant research. There is no perfect when it comes to sustainable fashion. Each product has a detailed fabric and care description that includes where the fabric comes from. If you have any questions about a particular fabric, please get in touch and I'll answer any queries.
respect reaches to all living creatures
Animal Welfare
My love for animals goes back as far as I can remember, from building homes for ants at home and at school as a wee girl, to my dad pulling the car over, the whole family on board, on an outback road when we came across a lamb caught in a cattle grate. I still remember its firm springy fleece under my hand as I patted its head and told it we were going to set it free.
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. It rested 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 is dedicated to animal welfare, and in doing so, does not use animal-derived fabrics and other materials in garment construction.
You'll see a very small number of wool blend trousers still in stock, made from my stash of deadstock fabric. Rather than disposing of them, they'll remain available until they sell.
I design pieces to be worn for years and styled with what you already own, not to chase what's new season. That's the 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.
I haven't purchased any animal-derived materials in over five years.
I do still have some deadstock silk tucked away under the cutting table from before that. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, whether that's using it in a future design or finding another responsible way to move it on. That decision won't be influenced by what's trending or what might earn me credibility with any particular group. It'll be based on properly weighing up what's genuinely best for the planet in the long run.
This means right now, by Audrey & Grace isn't 100% free of animal-derived product. That's the goal, once all of 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 and consideration. Intention and truth matter more to me than the appearance of it.
If I ever look at wool again for new purchases, it won't be a quick decision either. 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 genuinely unbiased research from many sources before I land anywhere on it.
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 genuine 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 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.
an honest look at what my clothes are made from
What Fibres Are in What You're Wearing, and Why It Matters
What goes into my designs matters greatly, and it's not a simple task. It's important that anyone buying a by Audrey & Grace piece knows exactly what they're getting. It's also important to understand why different fabrics mean different things, from synthetic fabrics shedding microplastics against our skin and into our waterways, to what natural, regenerative, breathable fibres offer instead.
Knowing exactly what my garments are made from, and in what percentages, matters more to me every year the business grows. I've started keeping a full, year-by-year record of this on my Fibre Records page, and I've written more about why fibre content matters in a dedicated blog post.
The majority of my range, 29.6%, is a 90% cotton/10% elastane Australian Cotton blend, used for underwear, tees and Kitty Dresses. Close behind at 21.1% is a 95% cotton/5% elastane blend, used in my Big Bloom, Night Snow and Mother and Child briefs. A slightly higher-elastane 92/8 Australian Cotton blend makes up 16.0% (Ruby Jumpers, Miss Bennet Shorts). 26.1% of my range is 100% cotton, spanning poplin, lawn and satin weaves, across skirts, tops, handkerchiefs and pouches, of which 4.2% is GOTS Certified Organic. The rest is GOTS Certified Organic Linen (3.1%) and a small remainder of deadstock fabrics (1.9%).
Put simply, cotton makes up 87.5% of everything I make, with elastane, linen, polyamide, wool, acetate and polyester filling out the rest. 31.5% of my range is 100% monofibre, and a further 52.6% is 95% or more a single fibre, meaning over 80% of everything I make is made from a single fibre, which is what recycling at end of life actually depends on.
Environmental Impact
Renewable energy, water and Everyday Choices
Reducing my environmental footprint happens through countless daily decisions in my Melbourne studio. Solar panels on my roof offset electricity used for sewing, pressing and lighting, reducing my reliance on grid power. All fabric pre-washing uses rainwater collected in my tanks, processed through cold wash cycles with gentle, natural detergent from Australian company Dirt, then line-dried to avoid energy-intensive tumble drying.
I take a zero-waste approach to fabric scraps. Nothing usable goes to landfill. Larger offcuts become practical items like sewing repair kits or I create my own cotton tape and notions. Smaller scraps that can't be repurposed are carefully sorted and sent to textile recycling programs, ensuring every thread has a second life.
Even your package reflects my environmental values. I use Hero Packaging's compostable mailers and inner bags, along with compostable label stickers printed on a thermal printer, meaning your entire delivery can break down naturally in home compost systems.
My environmental considerations extend to every material choice I make. From selecting natural fibres with lower processing impacts to choosing suppliers based on their sustainability practices. I consider the carbon footprint of everything from button production to fabric sourcing. This holistic approach means your garment represents minimal environmental impact from creation to delivery.
Circularity & End-of-Life
True sustainability means thinking beyond the sale to what happens when you're finished with your garment. I'm actively developing a future take-back scheme that will allow customers to return quality pre-loved pieces for resale, with original owners receiving rewards for participating. This program extends garment lifecycles by connecting pieces with new owners who will love them for years to come.
I'm exploring collaborations with Australian textile recycling innovators including After, Upparell, Textile Recyclers Australia and BlockTexx - companies pioneering new technologies to break down fibres and create new materials from garments that reach true end-of-life. These partnerships could provide pathways for pieces that are beyond resale condition.
Currently, I focus on extending your garment's lifespan through quality construction, care guidance, and even cute little repair kits made from off cuts for my Zero Waste skirt range. Detailed washing and care instructions are available on the website for each garment to help your pieces stay beautiful for years. I believe the most sustainable garment is the one that stays in active use for as long as possible.
My commitment to circularity influences every design decision, from selecting materials that can biodegrade safely to avoiding hardware like zips that complicate recycling. This forward-thinking approach ensures your garment has multiple pathways when its life, eventually comes to an end, whether that's finding a new owner or being responsibly recycled into new materials.
How Much Does by Audrey & Grace Actually Make?
To be honest, by Audrey & Grace produces very little, which I am more than fine with. But after looking at my numbers, I became curious about how that actually compares, both to some of our own local Australian brands, and to fast fashion at its two extremes. So I went looking for real numbers, mine included, side by side.
What I found shocked even me, both the scale of it, and how hard some of that information was to find at all. If someone who works in this industry and knows exactly what to search for still struggles to find a straight answer, I can't imagine how difficult it is for someone who just wants to shop with a clear conscience.
Partnerships
Community Partnerships & Research Collaborations
Carbon Positive Australia: I am reducing my carbon footprint by supporting Carbon Positive
Australia's tree planting programs.
Deakin University: Learning more about fabric compostability and research developments around Australian standards for compostable fabrics
RMIT: Engaging with textile sustainability research and circular design innovation
Seamless Australia: Active participation in circularity workshops and policy advocacy for sustainable fashion
Ethical Clothing Australia: Ongoing accreditation ensuring fair labour practices throughout my supply chain
Supply Chain Partners
Fabric Manufacture MTK: Local fabric manufacturer supporting Australian textile production
Next State Print: Digital printing partner committed to sustainable printing practices
Circular Factory: Collaborating on sustainable material sourcing solutions
After, Upparell, BlockTexx: Partnering with Australian textile recycling innovators for end-of-life garment solutions
Certifications and Memberships
Ethical Clothing Australia
My Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation guarantees ethical manufacturing practices throughout my entire process. This independent verification ensures fair wages, safe working conditions and dignified treatment for everyone involved in bringing your clothes to life within Australia, from fabric sourcing to the final stitch.
Seamless Stewardship Scheme
As a Seamless member, I'm part of Australia's leading circular fashion initiative. This connects me with experts in circular fashion, textile recycling innovators, researchers and more, and helps me develop systems to ensure each garment can have a responsible end-of-life, closing the loop on fashion waste.
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Let’s stay connected, and shape something better, together.
