MELBOURNE: Fledging organic clothing company Humanitee has received a $40, 000 shot in the arm. The Melbourne-headquartered brand scored top honours at Vic Pitch 08, a competition aimed at providing development capital to innovative businesses.
Humanitee won over $40, 000 worth of prizes including a listing on the Australian Small Scale Offerings Board.
The brand was founded by former Rivers marketing manager Peter Abbott and is reportedly associated with Country Road founder Stephen Bennett. Humanitee aimed to generate $50 million in five years and a strong domestic and international wholesale base.
Abbott said the brand had no plans to open a retail store in the near future.
"Retail stores tie you to fixed costs," he said. "I have opened retail stores before and it is a painful business. You have got to have a solid business behind you."
Humanitee garments are produced from organic fibres such as bamboo, which are farmed using sustainable practices.