6 Sustainable, Local Brands To Support Post-Lockdown
Image via Sister Studios
By Ella McEwan
It’s not an understatement to say 2020 has been the strangest year. From collectively trying every hobby under the sun in isolation or - for me personally - having weird recurring dreams about walking the halls of my favourite shopping centre.
For the retail industry, the effects of lockdown have been enormous. According to MFW, some stores reported a 75 per cent drop in sales, and while online shopping seems to boom, smaller businesses might be struggling without the constant foot traffic they’re used to. Even as lockdown restrictions have finally eased, small businesses need our support.
So if you’re on the hunt for that adrenaline rush that comes with shopping and want to support local, here are some local and sustainable businesses that can help you find your post-lockdown look.
TAKEN
Taken is a platform that promotes sustainability and aims to push young designers into the spotlight. From activewear to vintage glam, loungewear, date night dresses, jewellery or even an outfit to wow at the office, Taken provides a space to get everything you need without making a massive impact on the earth.
Make sure to check out their community section while you shop, for articles from influencers and designers alike and hunt for inspo from their style guides.
PROJECT BOWMAN
If transparency is important to you, look no further than Project Bowman. Take a peek at their Instagram stories to see exactly how the female owned slow fashion company made your pieces, see who made them, and where.
Launching in the middle of a pandemic, the brand is perfect for anyone who wants clothing that encapsulates effortless Melbourne cool. With the kind of jumpsuits, tops and dresses that are so good you’ll want to stare at yourself in the mirror all day, you’d be crazy to look anywhere else.
PERMANENT VACATION
For those who consider themselves to be fashion all-rounders, the Collingwood based Permanent Vacation may just become your one stop shop. The store only produces to meet demand, so say goodbye to worrying about clothing waste, and has an emphasis on timeless pieces that’ll stay in your closet forever.
Whether you’re a gingham gal, a reflective lover or a fan of classic silhouettes, their collections are guaranteed to have you reaching for your wallet.
KITSU
Wanting to get funky with your accessories? KITSU is a Melbourne based jewellery brand with pieces that are magically both minimal and loud. My lockdown experience has certainly made me want to go wild with my earrings, and if you’re feeling the same way, KITSU is for you.
Trawl through the site for not only earrings, but art prints, jewellery dishes and even incense holders.
SISTER STUDIOS
Do you often find yourself drawn towards bold colours in timeless styles, or loving patterns to make yourself stand out from the pack? Then Sister Studios is definitely going to be your new happy place.
Based in Brunswick, Sister Studios has sustainable practices at the forefront of their brand, using deadstock fabric, donating leftover offcuts and keeping plastic packaging out of the equation. From cute tote bags to formal dresses, you’ll quickly find yourself with a full cart.
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
You only need to read their company ethos to understand Friends with Frank is a Melbourne brand that won’t sacrifice the planet for the sake of fashion. With limited collection runs and high quality clothes designed to last, FWF is slow fashion at its best.
Although we’re going into summer, their staple winter jackets are minimal and classic, guaranteed to not only make you the warmest in the room when winter rolls around, but the most fashion forward.