Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA) has welcomed yet another fashion brand to its fold.
The organisation, for the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industry, has now officially accredited Melbourne-based women’s boutique fashion label, The Ark.
The Ark, described as “a business that is run by women, for women”, currently operates three retail concept stores located in Canterbury, Carlton North and Malvern, and is also distributed in over 100 boutiques across Australia.
Commenting on the brand's latest coup, The Ark director Christine Metcalfe said gaining ECA accreditation has re-enforced the label's core values.
“At The Ark, we love the simplicity of our garments being designed and made in Australia using fabrics sourced from around the world,” she said.
“Being Australian made allows us to design and manufacture ethically smaller runs of unique styles to create individual pieces and an honest design process with each garment.”
ECA national manager Simon McRae echoed Metcalfe's comments and said the organisation welcomes the accreditation of The Ark.
“The Ark is already committed to supporting locally designed and made clothing in Australia. Through their accreditation with ECA they are demonstrating their commitment to their customers and their workers that all their clothing is produced ethically,” he said.
ECA is governed by a management committee made up of TCF employer organisations, individual TCF businesses and trade unions.
To date, over 80 Australian brands and manufacturers are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia, which span a range of product categories including: fashion, footwear, school wear, corporate wear, sports-wear, infant and maternity wear and work wear.