By Keely Deighton
In a world where fast fashion has taken over, Melbourne-based brand Vege Threads has dedicated its energy towards creating slow sustainable basics. Amy Roberts, the designer and founder, has shown others that it is possible to produce fashion in Australia while remaining environmentally friendly and ethical.
With fast fashion brands pushing for new collections to be released as quickly as possible, we have seen a huge change in consumer and manufacturer habits over the last 20 years. While traditional fashion brands release four seasons a year, fast fashion brands such as Zara and H&M have increased that number to around 20 collections a year.
This increase in product has also impacted on how we, as consumers, shop. In the last two decades our rate of fashion consumption has grown by 400%, this not only impacts the environment but also small brands such as Vege Threads, by pushing consumers towards cheaply made garments rather than good quality products.
Vege Threads has become a game-changer within the Australian fashion industry by working with Victorian knitting mills and dye houses to create simple, timeless clothes that are suitable for everyday wear but also available at an affordable price. By using factories that already exist in Australia the brand not only helps the local economy but also adds the value of being Australian to their garments.
On average, in Australia we throw out 85% of the garments we purchase every year. It might be hoped, however, that the added value of being a 100% Australian made garment may deter consumers from this mindset.
Currently, 80% of the fabrics used by Vege Threads are made locally in Melbourne and 100% of the garments are sewn in Melbourne. This is a very impressive statistic as the Oxfam report 2016 found that Asia currently supplies 90% of the garments that are transported into Australia and then sold in stores.
With the goal of being a transparent brand and to use a circular supply chain, Amy Roberts has since gained accreditation for Vege Threads from Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA). Ethical Clothing Australia is an accreditation body who work closely with clothing, textile and footwear brands to ensure safe working environments throughout supply chains.
This accreditation means that Vege Threads are compliant with the safety rules put in place for their workers and all workers are being paid appropriately. In 2018, the brand also committed to giving back 1% of their profits every year to the environment, through the 1% for the Planet initiative.
This initiative was started in 2002 by Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard and Craig Matthews founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, with the intention of giving back to the environment by collecting funds and donating them to various environmental projects.
Organic Basics
Vege Threads’ practical basics such as the Organic High Neck Long Sleeve Tee are suitable for wear all year round, they can be worn alone or layered under the brand’s collection of basic tees, or dresses. ‘Basics’ are garments that are simple and plain in style and can be worn in a range of ways such as t-shirts or a pair of jeans. These practical basics from the ‘Organic Basics’ range are all made from organic cotton jersey making them breathable for all seasons.
Yoga Gear
This activewear range is made from a blend of organic cotton and lycra making the garments comfortable, breathable and opaque. This fabric is designed to soften over time making it perfect for a yoga class.
Apart from the basics and yoga ranges, Vege Threads also produces swimwear, denim and garments in hemp and merino wool. With the use of earthy and natural colour palettes these simple garments will never go out of style.
By designing and selling classic silhouettes rather than following the usual seasonal timelines and trends pushed by fast-fashion companies and selling many collections a year, Amy Roberts has created a brand that is both versatile and wearable.
To see how garments are made at Vege Threads, go to www.vegethreads.com/pages/ethical-manufacturing and www.vegethreads.com/pages/fabric-and-dyes
You can shop Vege Threads at www.vegethreads.com and follow them on Instagram @VegeThreads
