There’s nothing I love more than getting half way through my day and realising I’m wearing a completely ethically made outfit… especially when it’s made by ethical fashion legends like The Fabric Social & Dorsu.

I’ve been following along with both brands for well over a year, and I’m super excited to be teaming up with them to bring you an ethical fashion GIVEAWAY including awareness and education around who made these garments and why they’re special to me.

This isn’t just any old giveaway. Definitely not…

For me to include garments in my wardrobe, they have to be made well, last long, look amazing (particularly after completing the minimalist challenge!), and align with all my personal values as an ethical shopper and sustainability advocate. I care not just about who made the garments, but what they are made with, and the way each brand ensures they have as little negative impact on the planet as possible, and a greater positive impact wherever they can.

The Fabric Social Culottes & Dorsu Tank passed with flying colours.

Pardon me, I have yet to introduce you!

The Fabric Social …

A conscious clothing label who stop at literally nothing to produce exceptional clothing made by exceptional people. They’re more than an #ethicalfashion hashtag or a label who digs the ‘sustainable’ term because it makes them cooler than the rest. Sustainable fashion is definitely cooler (in my humble opinion), but The Fabric Social aren’t sustainable to be cool. They’re sustainable because there’s no other way to carry out business. I think that’s phenomenal.

Co-founders Fiona McAlpine and Sharna de Lacy are the real deal. For more than five years they’ve worked with women-led artisan cooperatives to produce conscious clothing in small batches, in ethical working conditions. From low waste pattern making to non-toxic dyes and natural fabrics, The Fabric Social consider sustainability in even the finer details.

Dorsu …

Co-founded by an Australian-Cambodian duo, Hanna & Kunthear, Dorsu are the type of brand with adoring customers who spot you wearing Dorsu, hunt you down, and proudly exclaim “that’s Dorsu!” Having grown from a two person concept to employing 25 individuals from all over the globe, Dorsu are a huge inspiration in the ethical fashion world. They’ve proven sustainable business is TOTALLY possible, and not just possible: but better than fast fashion in all aspects.

Dorsu are the perfect combination of low waste and ethics. Firstly, they utilise fabric (gorgeous breathable cotton jersey) from other companies that has been over ordered, and would otherwise go to waste. All designing, pattern making, cutting, sewing, and even selling is completed in one work space. This means the team can work together to make sure the highest quality and strongest values are upheld throughout all processes, and nothing is ever lost in communication. Selling in the same space they work also means visitors can stop by and watch the garments literally being made, or attend speaking events that are held at the workspace. If that isn’t transparency, I don’t know what is!

Now you know who these brands are, let’s talk the nitty gritty details of the two garments you’re (fingers crossed!) about to own too!

DORSU: WOMEN Muscle Tank | White

To be honest, I’m not usually one to wear printed tops, but this message is one I’ll happily have written all over my body! With dropped armholes and a crew neck, this tank works well during summer AND winter (rock those layers). The most meaningful part of the garment for me, isn’t the timeless style and comfort, but the story behind who made it and where the profits end up.

This tank was made in Kampot, Cambodia by a team of men and women who are respected and treated not only fairly in the workplace, but like a proper work family who support and uplift each other. Their wages are higher than minimums by at least 30%, they are entitled to maternity, paternity, and personal illness leave, and work 5 day weeks rather than the usual Cambodian 6 working day weeks. Their workplace standards, paired with the transparent way they open up their factory to customers, demonstrates their outstanding inclusive approach and community focus. Having seen images of the Dorsu space (hopefully one day I’ll actually visit!) it's a privilege to be able to imagine exactly where my WOMEN Tank was made.

To put the ethically sourced cherry on the cake, this shirt was created in collaboration with SHE Investments. This means 100% of profits directly support Cambodian women in business through skills development, training, mentor-ship and business development opportunities. Dorsu are constantly teaming up with organisations they believe in, and their work with SHE Investments is why I’m extra proud to wear a garment made by empowered women, with profits going towards even more empowerment.

If you’d like to know exactly where your money is going and your precise impact into SHE Investments, Dorsu have outdone themselves by sharing a cost breakdown of the garment too. An incredible $12.75AU goes towards SHE Investments when a WOMEN Tank is purchased.

THE FABRIC SOCIAL: Sand Atwood Culottes

Made from a blend of divine natural fabrics, Eri peace silk and khadi cotton, these culottes are a staple in my wardrobe. The Eri-silk is not only made in a way that does not harm silk worms in the making of it; it’s also woven by women affected by armed conflict in Assam, India. The production of the Eri silk is completely lead by women, including growing the castor trees that the Eri worms eat, raising the silkworms, nurturing them throughout metamorphosis, and the yarn spinning. Having watched handlooms in action before, every time I put on these pants, I’m reminded of these skilled women, the situations they’ve come from, and their resilience to get to a space of safety and comfort.

The skilled seamstresses who took this beautiful traditionally woven fabric and turned it into stylish pants, were also treated fairly in the workplace and paid a fair wage. The Fabric Social work with Sasha, a World Fair Trade Accredited not-for-profit organisation. The studio is based in Kolkata, and it’s here the producers soften, dye, and tailor each garment before sending them off to their lucky homes.

When it comes to The Fabric Social, what I most frequently admire (among many things!) is their transparency. They literally ‘bare it all’ with cost breakdowns of what it took to create each garment. My culottes cost $57.50 to make, with the rest going to marketing, sales, business expenses, and profit for the incredible people behind The Fabric Social.

Here’s the full breakdown:

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To win your very own outfit made by The Fabric Social & Dorsu, simply enter here.

As a rule, I only work with brands I love, use, and can whole heartedly back. I send the brand a large list of questions to answer first, and trial the product properly before saying yes to anything. This is a sponsored blog (I can't pay my electricity bill with free products), but 100% my own words, photos, and opinion.