Location
Australia
Made In
Australia
Values
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Artisan
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Gender Equality
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Size Inclusive
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Transparent
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Fair
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Give Back
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Vegan
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Made Locally
This next brand’s a KEEPER.
Sorry, had to. KEEPER Denim is an Australian-made and owned company providing women with jeans that “blur the lines between comfort, style and sustainability.” Much like EME’s founder Jas, KEEPER Denim’s founder Kate Bartuccio watched The True Cost documentary and became inspired to make a lasting and positive change within the fashion industry. Armed with a passion for ethical and sustainable fashion but no fashion background whatsoever, Kate brought KEEPER Denim to life, and boy are we glad she did.
KEEPER Denim uses denim sourced from ISKO, a world-leading denim producer with sustainability at the core of their production. This denim, which is OEKO-TEX certified, is ethically manufactured in Turkey and is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled polyester that is a product of post-consumer plastic bottles.
As for the manufacturing, KEEPER Denim keeps this local. Like Melbourne local. The garment workers who craft the KEEPER jeans are paid fairly, receive their legal entitlements and do their job within a fair and safe working environment. Also, instead of using harsh toxins and chemicals to fade the jeans, KEEPER Denim’s artisans use a manual brushing technique to lightly fade each and every pair.
What’s more is the brand patches are made from a sustainable vegan leather alternative and are OEKO-TEX certified; the zippers are supplied by YKK, a brand dedicated to sustainability and high-quality fasteings; their swing tags are made from 100% recycled paper; and their “thank you” notes are printed on 100% recycled paper with environmentally-friendly inks.
You know we love a cert. Lucky for us, KEEPER Denim has a few good un’s. KEEPER Denim jeans are Ethical Clothing Australian (ECA) accredited, which essentially means all workers are appropriately compensated and work within a safe environment. The jeans are also PETA-Approved Vegan, and are made without the use of any animal products whatsoever. Last (but most certainly not least) is their Climate Neutral certification, and in order to achieve this, KEEPER Denim has reduced their carbon emissions and offset the rest by investing in projects working to reduce global carbon emissions – how good!
Want to know where Keeper Denim sits and what they’re working on in terms of these 5 values? Hover over these values to find out.
Eco Friendly
Our jeans are made with denim constructed from sustainable, cruelty-free fibres including organic cotton and recycled materials, that respect our planet, to ensure the jean will last and age well with time. Our swing tags and thank you notes are made from recycled paper and we ship our products in a compostable mail bag. We are also Climate Neutral certified as we offset our carbon emissions by investing in climate change solutions.
Fair
Each pair of KEEPER Denim jeans is ethically handcrafted in Melbourne, Australia. Our jeans are also accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. This ensures the workers in our supply chain are being paid appropriately and have safe working conditions.
Minimal Waste
Our jeans are manufactured in small production runs, reducing waste. They are also made from sustainable materials including GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles, minimising our impact on both the environment.
Give Back
Carbon emissions, mass consumption and water pollution are some of the major environmental impacts of the fast fashion industry. Since the beginning, we at KEEPER Denim have wanted to support charities that are doing incredible work to help heal these effects on our planet. That is why we donate $5 from every pair of jeans sold to Water.org, who help families around the world get access to safe water and sanitation.
Transparent
We are dedicated to having a transparent supply chain and each material we use is especially selected based on its’ ethical and sustainable production. This ensures the final piece is of the highest quality.
Behind the Brand
“I watched a documentary called The True Cost, which explores the dark side of the fast fashion industry. Like most of us, I had thought about where my clothes were made but it wasn’t until I watched this documentary, that I saw just how much devastation the industry is having on farmers, garment workers and the environment in the developing world”.
What does a better tomorrow look like to you?
A better tomorrow for me looks like one where we are all conscious of the impact of our choices have on the planet.
One book everyone should read? Why?
I just finished reading Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris and it was incredible. Tim is a self-confessed avid note-taker who had hundreds of notebooks with notes he had taken over the years when he interviewed many successful people for his Podcast, The Tim Ferris Show. He decided to compile it all into one book, sorted into sections based on the industry the interviewees were in. The result is an amazing book filled with life lessons Tim has learnt from each individual. It’s a book I would highly recommend if you haven’t already checked it out, there is something in there for everyone!
What made you start your business?
I have degrees in Architecture and Commerce and have always been creative by nature. I worked in corporate banking for a few years until I realised something was missing from my life and I needed to make a change. I watched a documentary called The True Cost, which explores the dark side of the fast fashion industry. Like most of us, I had thought about where my clothes were made but it wasn’t until I watched this documentary, that I saw just how much devastation the industry is having on farmers, garment workers and the environment in the developing world. After this eye-opening experience, I wanted to make a difference and help bring about change in fashion, specifically denim and that is how KEEPER Denim began.
What do you wish people knew about your journey?
I haven’t always worked in the fashion industry, in fact before I started KEEPER Denim, I worked in corporate banking. As someone who is creative, working in finance didn’t really fulfil me, which is why I needed a change, but I don’t regret my time there for a second. Working in the corporate world gave me some valuable lessons that have helped me in running my own business, from building professional relationships, managing finances and working within a team.
What advice do you have for your teenage self?
Nothing is permanent, you can always change direction.
What’s your suggested first step for someone wanting to shop more ethically?
When it comes to shopping for ethical fashion, I think one of the most important questions to ask is – how much does it cost? Especially with the low cost of fast fashion today. If the price of a piece of clothing costs as little as your morning coffee or less, consider how the company is still able to make a profit. Often this is achieved by paying low manufacturing costs in developing countries, so garment workers are paid a low wage, which means they struggle to cover even their basic needs.
Is there a cause or social issue that is really important to you?
Yes – Water.org Carbon emissions, mass consumption and water pollution are some of the major environmental impacts of the fast fashion industry. This is why we have chosen to donate $5 from each pair of jeans sold to Water.org to help families around the world get access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org is an international non-profit organization that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world with access to safe water and sanitation. They do this by empowering families through access to affordable financing and expert resources.