AUSTRALIAN MADE WEEK 2021 | WE CELEBRATE

Not only do we manufacture clothing in Australia, but we also buy Australian made fabric. We have a long-standing relationship with fabric manufacturer Melbourne Textile Knitting Company (MTK) and for over 30 years, MTK have been supplying us with the highest quality, locally made fabric.

In June 2020, once we began producing our PPE locally, we applied for ethical accreditation through Ethical Clothing Australia. This accreditation has helped build customer trust and confidence, ensuring our processes are performed ethically and our employees and outworkers are treated fairly.

As we continue to focus on how proud we are to manufacture garments in Australia, we would like to send a special thanks to our Australian Healthcare workers. While we support you, you have helped support Australian Made manufacturing by purchasing from our Healthwear collection. Fella Hamilton answered the Australian Government’s call in April 2020 to help supply our frontline workers with medical equipment. So, we repurposed our design team, pattern makers, sample makers and machinists to switch focus and produce a range of Healthwear garments. We also answered the call to develop and manufacture non-surgical face masks for the general public, which were invaluable in times of uncertainty. Masks continue to be available for purchase in our stores, through mail order and online. Last year, our Australian made face masks evolved to become a worthwhile cause within our business. We quickly realised that there was no 'one size' fits all mask, and so we quickly expanded and adapted to the needs of our customers during a stressful period for many.

Not only has it been important for us to manufacture PPE for our healthcare workers, whilst making high quality fashion clothing, but the Fella Hamilton team have also been donating expertise and time to the not-for-profit charity Days for Girls (DFG). This organisation provides DFG Menstrual Kits and menstrual health education to girls and women worldwide, and in September 2020, our CEO Sharon Hamilton was approached by the DFG Australia Victorian Coordinator. Fella Hamilton jumped at the chance to assist in machine cutting the waterproof, polyurethane laminate (PUL) fabric used in the making of the menstrual hygiene kits.