A model of ethical clothing

MELBOURNE: New Model Beauty Queen has officially converted to the No Sweat Shop label.

The Fitzroy-based brand is the most recent manufacturer to successfully undergo the Homeworkers Code of Practice (HWCP) accreditation process, which makes labels eligible to display the No Sweat Shop label on Australian-made garments.

The accreditation system involved manufacturers making their supply-chain transparent to the Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) to ensure workers involved in making their garments had received, as a minimum, award rates of pay and conditions, said No Sweat Shop label project officer Tommy Clarke.

New Model Beauty Queen director Dale Cornell said he was dedicated to keeping production local and differentiating his garments from cheap imports.

"Even if it means our clientele may pay a little bit more per garment, the difference is they can be confident in our quality product and also benefit from knowing our workers have all received decent wages and above standard conditions.

Thankfully it’s finally important to consumers where their garments come from and how they are made," he said.
Forest manager Shannon O’Shea said as well as stocking New Model Beauty Queen’s two labels, The Forgotten and Post-Modern Delinquent, the store also carried garments from a collection of up-and-coming local designers.

"We’d like to see Forest become recognised as a real leader in promoting No Sweat Shop manufacturing, where people come for their fix of contemporary, local and ethical clothing," she said.

The No Sweat Shop label's Tommy Clarke said there was growing interest in the No Sweat Shop label across all categories of apparel, including high fashion garments, schoolwear, streetwear, workwear and organic brands.

New Model Beauty Queen would officially unveil No Sweat Shop signage at its retail outlet, Forest, on March 6, at a launch party also designed to showcase the label's Australian-made, sweat-free clothing.