In a world that’s waking up to the need for ethical fashion, we’ve noticed more and more people asking the right questions: Who made my clothes? What impact does this have on the planet? Does this support culture and community? These questions matter and they’ve guided every decision we’ve made since taking over Magpie Goose in 2021.
But this year, you might notice something different. We’re not releasing as many collections as usual. We’re making fewer garments. And we want to explain why.
Doing Fashion Right Isn’t Easy Or Cheap
Magpie Goose was founded on the belief that fashion can be a force for good. We collaborate with Aboriginal artists, use high-quality natural fibres, manufacture locally, and screen print our textiles in Australia. Every piece we make is a celebration of culture, Country, and creativity and it’s done with care and respect.
But here's the hard truth: doing things the right way costs a lot more.
From paying fair licensing fees to artists and investing in travel to work with remote communities, to using Ethical Clothing Australia-certified factories, every step of our process is designed to honour people and place. Unfortunately, these added costs make it difficult for a small business to stay afloat, especially without external funding or investment.
As shared in my recent article, The Sustainability Paradox: When Doing Good Costs Too Much, published in Peppermint Magazine, the brutal irony is this: the more ethically and sustainably you operate, the more financially unsustainable it becomes.
Why You’ll See Less from Us This Year
We’re slowing down not because we want to, but because we have to.
We simply can’t keep up with the pace of fashion that rewards speed, volume, and sameness.
Producing small runs means we miss out on bulk discounts. Choosing sustainable fabric over cheaper options can cost up to three times more. And offering proper recognition to artists requires time, travel, and ongoing relationship building.
By scaling back production this year, we’re ensuring that we can continue to do what we do with integrity. That every piece we make is done well. And that we don’t compromise our values for the sake of staying trendy or fast.
Why This Matters and Why We Need You
Australia is the world’s largest consumer of textiles per capita with the average person buying 56 new clothing items each year. Imagine if we halved that number. Or chose one long-lasting, ethically made garment instead of ten throwaways.
When you support Magpie Goose, you’re not just buying a piece of clothing, you’re backing:
- Artist-led storytelling and cultural preservation
- Ethical garment production and Australian jobs
- A slower, more conscious fashion future
- Your purchases, your shares, your voice — they all help keep brands like ours going.
What You Can Do:
- Choose quality over quantity
- Ask questions about where and how your clothes are made
- Support small labels doing the hard work
- Share the story behind your favourite garments
This is what real change looks like — one thoughtful purchase at a time!
Magpie Goose is proud to continue our work, even at a slower pace, because it matters. Thank you for walking this path with us, and for choosing fashion that honours people, planet, and culture.
#SlowFashion #EthicalFashion #SustainableStyle #SupportAboriginalDesign #MagpieGoose #FashionForChange #LessisMore