Queensland womenswear label L&F has partnered with Outland Denim’s Cambodian-based manufacturing arm Maeka.
Made with 100% traceable organic cotton, Maeka’s denim reportedly uses technology that requires up to 86% less water and 96% less energy during the finishing process, and uses only certified non-toxic dyes.
L&F creative director Fleur Richardson said finding a partner manufacturer that aligned with brand values was important.
She said her team tried onshore manufacturing and the experience was “disjointed”.
“The direction of offshore manufacturing is changing,” she said. “It’s not about cheap products and minimal quality. For us it’s about discovery, finding and aligning with manufacturing partners that are experts in their craft and kicking goals, ethically and sustainability, in the market.
“In this case it has been Outland Denim, and we’ve been able to combine their expertise in denim with ours in fit, form and function.”
According to Richardson, Outland Denim offers autonomy to its offshore workers and is transparent in its environmental practices.
Outland Denim began as a means of offering training and employment to survivors of exploitation - particularly women. It then began addressing the environmental responsibilities of the fashion industry.
The brand's manufacturing facility Maeka is open to other fashion labels.
L&F launched four denim styles as part of the Maeka partnership: two jeans and two jackets.
This includes Sia, a skinny jean in indigo denim with back leg seams to contour and lift, and the Ariza Jean in midnight denim is high-waisted with wide, flared legs, alongside a collarless and tailored Deagon Jacket and a blazer style with a single button fastening Brady Jacket.
The brand's range is available in sizes 8 to 24.
“These garments are designed with all we know about the L&F woman in mind,” Richardson said. “We have incorporated our combined years of experience and our L&F fit and grading principles to make these denim pieces feel like they were made just for you.”