Fleur Richardson, the founder of Australian womenswear brand Leina + Fleur, shares first-hand experience as to why local manufacturing is tough.
During the pandemic, we saw a wave of disruption across the fashion supply chain – fabric and yarn mills shut down, and the quality and consistency of key fabrics started to decline.
When we began sourcing materials for our latest tech-stretch pants, our goal – as always – was to keep production onshore. For over a year, we explored every local option. We approached multiple Australian suppliers, but no one could – or would – source the specific performance fabric we needed.
As a small independent brand, importing the fabric ourselves wasn’t viable either. The minimum order quantities were simply too high.
At that point, we faced a tough decision: compromise on quality or look beyond our borders. We chose the latter and partnered with a trusted, ethical offshore manufacturer who could meet our standards.
This wasn’t about cost-cutting or convenience – it was about staying true to our quality promise.
What’s really going on with local manufacturing?
The Australian fashion manufacturing sector is shrinking. While many of our local makers are exceptional – skilled, passionate, and reliable – the broader industry is struggling.
An ageing workforce, minimal equipment investment, and limited innovation are all taking a toll. Add to that the lack of accessible specialty fabrics and advanced technologies, and it becomes clear: we’re operating within a system that hasn’t kept pace with modern production needs.
Another critical issue is talent. There’s a growing shortage of experienced production professionals, and not enough young people are entering the trade. Without training pathways and knowledge transfer, we risk losing the very skills that once made Australian manufacturing so strong.
As this gap widens, the pull of fast fashion grows – and with it, we risk losing quality, sustainability, and local craftsmanship.
Despite these challenges, our commitment to Australian manufacturing remains unwavering. Over 95 per cent of our garments are still produced locally, and we’re proud to operate our own in-house team on the Gold Coast.
We’ve also invested significantly in production technology – from automated cutting systems to digital fabric inspection tools – to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and secure our future onshore.
But we’re also realists. To remain a sustainable, independent business and continue delivering exceptional garments, sometimes we have to go offshore. In this case, it was the only viable option.
After more than 12 years of manufacturing in Australia, that decision was not made lightly.
What needs to change
We’ll continue to champion Australian manufacturing and support our local makers. But we can’t do it alone.
We’d love to see stronger government support – real investment in training, infrastructure, and innovation. If we want to protect our industry, we need to back it at every level.
But perhaps most importantly, we need Australian consumers to recognise the value of locally owned, operated, and made brands. Whether it’s fashion, food, or everyday products, these industries represent individuality, grit, and independence – and they’re quietly disappearing under the weight of mass-market convenience.
At Leina + Fleur, we’re committed to being part of the solution. We remain proudly Australian in both heart and practice – and we’re not giving up.