Social enterprise and ethical fashion label The Social Outfit has launched its 2021 'Wear the Change' campaign.
The initiative forms part of the brand's Refugee Week celebrations and encourages the community to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and reducing landfill by wearing one ethical garment five ways over five days.
Confirmed supporters and 'Wear the Change' participants include Bianca Spender, Montaigne, Jan Fran, Councillor Jess Miller (City of Sydney), Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Jannah Beth, Jaguar Jonze, Jenny Leong MP and Clare Press.
The Social Outfit CEO Camilla Schippa welcomed the launch of the Wear The Change campaign.
"Wear the Change invites the community to take a stand for ethical fashion – fashion that empowers rather than exploits the makers.
"It encapsulates this powerful message, whilst raising funds which directly go to helping make a difference in the lives of refugee women," she said.
The Social Outfit was founded with the aim to provide employment and training to women from refugee and new migrant backgrounds through the manufacture and sale of ethical and sustainable products.
To date, The Social Outfit has paid almost $1 million to refugee women, and has saved 8.5 tonnes of fabric from landfill by using excess fabrics and trims donated by Australian fashion industry partners including Cue, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Manning Cartell, Seafolly and Romance was Born.
Wear The Change supporter and Australia's 2021 Eurovision representative Montaigne said small changes can have a big impact.
"Wearing the change is knowing that your daily sartorial choices have real-world impact on both people and the environment.
"Then with this knowledge, deciding that you’re going to use your power for good by shopping second hand, locally, or ethically and sustainably-made," she said.
As of June 23, the Wear The Change campaign has rasied $29,091.
Aussies looking to participate in the Wear The Change challenge can set up a fundraising page on The Social Outfit's website.