Wildflower
Location
Australia
Made In
Australia
Values
“Beautiful, quality garments that are people, planet and animal friendly.”
Oh Wildflower, that’s music to our ears.
Wildflower is an Australian company ethically producing fashion and swimwear in a sustainable way. Wildflower’s founder, Angela Flower, is no stranger to the downfalls of the conventional fashion industry; having worked in swimwear manufacturing for the majority of her career, Angela saw firsthand the devastating effects fast fashion is having on our planet and its people. So, she decided to do something about it.
People
Every single one of the Wildflower garments is ethically made, cut, printed and developed right here in Australia by individual specialists, not in factories. These machinists (who, might we add, are also women), have been operating their very own businesses for decades, and as such choose their own hours and rates. The majority of Wildflower’s textile supply chain is traceable and accredited, and 100% of their garment manufacturing is also traceable, sustainable and ethical.
Planet
Wildflower try their hardest to be as environmentally-friendly as possible through all stages of manufacturing. They only use natural fibres or recycled fabrics, compostable packaging, biodegradable hygiene stickers, labels and trims made from cotton or recycled paper, and digital marketing materials.
In an effort to combat waste, Wildflower orders the bare minimum of trims and accessories; hooks up with other small and local businesses to share fabrics, trims and other resources; and produces all of their garments in small batch runs.
Animal friendly
“In the interest of animals and the environment”, Wildflower is a 100% vegan brand. By the end of 2021, Wildflower will be releasing a collection of handbags made from plant based non synthetic vegan materials including cactus leather and apple leather. Oh, and in true Wildflower style, this collection will be sampled, developed and hand-crafted in Australia.
Other super cool things
Just like us, Wildflower is a proud partner of i=change, an organisation that is helping both businesses and consumers contribute to a more environmentally and socially just world. With i=change, $1 from every purchase goes towards one of three charities (in Wildflower’s case, these are Empower With Literacy, Protect A Woman, and Provide A Safe Birth), and you as the conscious customer get to choose which charity your $1 goes to.
Wildflower is a brand for the environmentally and socially conscious shopper. The brand is committed to responsible production, minimal waste, ethical manufacturing, giving back to the community and only using plant based non synthetic vegan materials, which essentially makes this incredible Australian company one we can wholeheartedly get behind.
Want to know where Wildflower sits and what they’re working on in terms of these 5 values? Hover over these values to find out.
Eco Friendly
At each process and stage of manufacturing we aim for be as eco friendly as possible. Our aim is to use zero virgin synthetics or plastics. Our fabric options are recycled or natural fibres, our hygeine stickers are biodegradable, our packaging is compostable, our labels and trims are cotton and recycled paper. Our marketing materials are digital. We offer small batch production runs to minimise waste. We do not use individual poly bags for our products.
Fair
Our products are ethically produced in Australia by individual specialist machinists not factories. These female machinists are the owners and operators of their own businesses and have been doing so successfully for decades. They choose their own work hours and state their hourly or piece rate ensuring a fair living wage. We do not enter into cost negotiations on any products. The price quoted is the price paid. The above is also true for all pattern-making, cutting, printing ,development and sampling undertaken and is all competed in Queensland Australia.
Minimal Waste
We order our trims and accessories to a minimum. When required we pay a surcharge to purchase minimums to avoid waste and excess. We collaborate with other like minded local small batch brands to share fabrics, trims and resources.
Give Back
We have proudly partnered with i=Change to support three vital projects that help improve the lives of women and children. As a brand this is our opportunity to offer compassion and make a positive change. We love that our customers have the opportunity to be involved in making that change. Supporting- Empower with literacy- the human right to read and write Protect a woman- provide shelter to a woman escaping domestic violence Provide a safe birth- give the gift os a safe birth
Transparent
The vast majority of our textile supply chain is traceable and accredited ethically and sustainably through recognised international bodies . 100% of our garment manufacturing is traceable, sustainable and ethical in their operations.
Behind the Brand
“Having spent the majority of my career working in swimwear and apparel manufacturing for major brands and department stores I saw the need for change to a kinder, more sustainable, less toxic way. I created Wildflower because I wanted to offer beautiful, quality, garments that are people, planet and animal friendly”.
What made you start WILDFLOWER?
Having spent the majority of my career working in swimwear and apparel manufacturing for major brands and department stores I saw the need for change to a kinder, more sustainable, less toxic way. I created Wildflower because I wanted to offer beautiful, quality, garments that are people, planet and animal friendly.
Do you have a morning routine? If so what is it you do to set yourself up for the day ahead?
Morning beach walks with a friend. The sunrise, saltwater and the lengthy chats are a healthy foundation for the day ahead. Followed by a very strong coffee or two.
What’s the biggest barrier you’ve found to succeeding as a socially conscious business?
I would say that sourcing sustainable and ethically produced textiles for small batch production is the biggest barrier. Most suppliers prefer you to buy to larger minimums although I believe as the demand grows there will be a wider selection of options available. There are certainly more sustainable options available now than a few years ago due to consumer awareness and a greater demand which is a step in the right direction.
Within the ethical fashion community, there’s a big question that we ask which is ‘who made my clothes?’. In the scope of WILDFLOWER, who made the things you sell? Can you tell us a bit about them?
Our products are made locally in Australia.
Our point of difference is that we work with 3 independent seamstresses who own their business, therefore we work directly with individuals not managers, outworkers, or factory bosses.
These women have perfected their craft and each have decades of experience and specialise in certain products.
As businesswomen, they run and operate their own businesses and choose their own working hours.
I admire their craftsmanship and believe that the prices they quote are fair and reasonable and I do not negotiate on the price.
The only exception to made in Australia are our handwoven Panama Hats made sustainably by true artisans in Ecuador. The manufacturer has been operating for over 80 years and supports their artisan community with training, fair pay, workshops, and a commitment to quality, sustainability, social and environmental responsibility.
Why did you pick the fabrics you have chosen to work with?
Our swimwear fabrics are chosen not only for their luxe quality and durability however equally as important as their earth-friendly properties.
All of our swimwear fabrics including our linings are made from recycled fibers.
Our natural resort wear fabrics do not contain any synthetics and are also chosen for their sustainable qualities as well as their high-end aesthetic.
Best piece of advice you have ever received?
Follow your heart and stay true to your core values.
What’s next for you and WILDFLOWER?
Plant-based leather fashion bags.
We have been working closely with suppliers of plant based, animal product free, nonsynthetic leathers to develop a small collection of totes, clutches and cross-body hand bags, all ethically and sustainably made in Australia.
As a vegetarian, it is a challenge to find leather alternatives that are not synthetic and petroleum-based. Most brands that offer vegan leather are actually offering PU based synthetic products mass-produced offshore. This simply does not sit well with me and I sought an alternative.
One book and/or documentary everyone should read/watch? Why?
Tales by Light. A documentary series through a photographer’s perspective of the natural world and the cultural, social, and environmental issues we face as humans. It’s also visually beautiful and has a positive message.
Are there any other Movers & Shakers out there in your world that you think people should know about?
I am inspired by two local businesswomen who have built their businesses from the ground up. My friend and former colleague, designer Suzanne from Label Launch who mentors and inspires young brands and entrepreneurs with her wealth of fashion industry knowledge, and Fiona from Wholesome Bellies who provides vegan cooking classes, retreats and healthy plant based recipes that make vegan cooking an every day option.