We all know Melbourne’s designer scene is well established, but did you know it’s also a hot spot for ethical and sustainable fashion? As the country’s hub for onshore production of shoes and textiles, it’s no surprise that budding and established designers want to call it home. This guide takes you through the best suburbs for sustainable shopping: Melbourne CBD, Fitzroy, Northcote and Armadale.

Melbourne CBD

Kuwaii

Vintage Sole and Kuwaii

Kuwaii is the stunning creation of Kristy Barber. Established in 2008, the brand is committed to environmental sustainability and ethical production. They keep everything above board by designing, producing and retailing every piece within 15km of the Brunswick head office – a feat many brands could only aspire to. They’re also one of few brands producing footwear onshore.

Cathedral Arcade, 37 Swanston Street

Emporium

Emporium shopping centre in Melbourne’s CBD is home to a number of ethical and sustainable designers including Viktoria and Woods, Bassike, Dion Lee, Manning Cartell and Marimekko.

287 Lonsdale Street

Design A Space

Located in Melbourne Central, this creative retail concept was developed to promote and showcase the talents of independent Australian designers. Design A Space supports over 100 local independent designers through monthly rotations, providing an exciting mix of men’s, women’s and children’s designs. A lot of it is made in Australia but check the tags to be sure.

20 Manchester Lane

David Jones

This iconic Australian department store may not be all above board for ethical production, but a lot of its Australian labels are. The ones to look for are Perri Cutten, Veronika Maine, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Nobody Denim, Bec & Bridge, Maggie Marilyn, Country Road and Bassike. If you’re not sure, check the labels.

310 Bourke Street

Marimekko

Finnish design house Marimekko is trading its wares throughout Melbourne, too. The brand produces everything from high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home décor items, with a focus on doing so sustainably. Marimekko’s sustainability strategy includes a commitment to designing timeless, long-lasting and functional products, promoting responsible practices throughout its supply chain, and being resource efficient and caring for the environment.

Shop 143, Level 1 Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street

Fitzroy

Variety Hour

Variety Hour

Variety Hour is a print focused label by textile designer Cassie Byrnes. Each season a new collection of prints is hand painted, designed and adapted to suit a variety of fabulous fashion and homewares items. Ethically created from scratch in Melbourne, Variety Hour is known for fun patterns which will make you happy.

155 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Somebuddy Loves You

This Fitzroy boutique stocks a heap of lovely local labels like Permanent Vacation and Post Sole Studio. They also stock ethically made labels including New Zealand’s Kowtow. It’s a great place to shop unique staples and nicer pieces.

193 Smith Street, Fitzroy

HoMie

HoMie is a unisex streetwear label for young people. But when I say they’re for young people, I mean this literally. The brand uses 100 per cent of their profits to support young people facing homelessness in Melbourne. They’re also super transparent, they up-cycle preloved items, and provide training programs and support to those doing it tough.

296 Brunswisk Street, Fitzroy

Northcote

I Dream a Highway

Nancybird Desert Floral Collection

Bursting with colour, I Dream A Highway stocks local labels with a focus on size inclusive ranges and bright prints. It’s the place to go to find ethical and sustainable fashion brands such as Nancybird, Elk, SUK Workwear, Frock Me Out, Miranda Murphy and more. The boutique stocks a large range of the aforementioned brands garments, plus shoes and accessories.

259 High Street, Northcote

Green Horse

Green Horse boutique carries a collection of ethical fashion, sustainable living and fairtrade products. Here you’ll some great international and local ethical and sustainable fashion brands such as Kowtow, Amble Outdoors, Veja and Ricepaper the Label. The boutique also stocks a range of baby clothes and accessroies by sustainable labels Fibre for Good, Burrow and Be, and Hevea.

255 High Street, Northcote

Before March

Slow fashion boutique Before March believes that less is more, evident through the carefully selected garments that hang from the shop’s handful of ranks. Expect floaty garments in neutral colours to boost your existing wardrobe.

277 High Street, Northcote

Obus Clothing

Obus Clothing

Melbourne’s Obus Clothing is now spread out across the city and has a fabulous Market Store too (for samples, seconds and super specials!). Shop for colourful, bright prints and patterns, mostly made in Melbourne.

285 High Street, Northcote

Leonard St.

This gorgeous Melbourne womenswear and kidswear label is a local favourite. With their delicate floral prints and bold, colourful knits, this vintage inspired brand is ethically made in Bali and has a zero-waste and zero-plastic policy.

205 High Street, Northcote

Anna Cordell Clothing

Step back in time in the retro-inspired Anna Cordell Clothing boutique. The Melbourne label is known for its dedication to custom suiting, but the boutique carries a number of other special (but similarly time-stamped) garments made with care in Australia. Shop here for a statement suit that’ll last you a lifetime.

246 High Street, Northcote

Armadale

Bec and Bridge

Got a wedding to go to? Or a gala or ball? Bec and Bridge has got you covered. This modern label is known for striking silhouettes and statement pieces. They don’t come cheap, but you can sleep easy knowing the people making your clothes are respected and valued.

1041 High Street, Armadale

Carla Zampatti

One of Australia’s first ladies of sustainable fashion, Carla Zampatti has been bringing Italian finesse to Australian women since the 1960s. Always elegant and tailored to perfection, Zampatti’s pieces are designed to endure the test of time.

1106 High Street, Armadale

Bianca Spender

Keeping fashion in the family, Zampatti’s daughter Bianca is the brains behind this designer label. With high-quality tailoring and a commitment to responsible production, the brand is ECA accredited, uses 50 per cent deadstock fabric and is all designed and made in Sydney.

1087 High Street, Armadale