Our Blog | Love Linen The Label — Sustainable Fashion
Behind The Seams
The Lifetime of a Design
At Love Linen we do everything with love and much time, energy and care goes into everything we do.
We are only small and we only make a few. We are accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia and we are proudly Australian made, owned and operated.
Each design we hand make in our sewing studio in Broome before is goes to our digital pattern makers. This process alone can take months! Our amazing manufacturer specialises in short runs which means we only produce around 10 - 20 of each design in a carefully chosen linen fabric.
Quality over quantity is what we are passionate about. We also love producing linen clothing of true style and classic design that you wont see everywhere else. Our designs are unique and limited which make them extra special.
Although we have many designs sketched - some on paper - many in the mind - we are only a small business and our aim is to grow sustain-ably with our beautiful linen lovers into the future. We wish we could give you it all at once but where is the fun in that! So much happens in the design stage and we even surprise ourselves sometimes!
If you are reading this, thank you for being part of our journey. Your support and appreciation means the world to us X
Lets Shop Local This Festive Season
Support Local, Support Your Community
There are so many great reasons for shopping local. Festive season sometimes takes a hold however, and massive name brands do take center stage with their massive advertising budgets and the little small businesses can get lost among all the noise. We ask you to look for them, there are so so so many amazing small businesses out there producing amazing products filled with love and supporting earth and world friendly values we all hope to aspire to.
Gift giving over the silly season can get - well a little silly! How much do we really need? Here is a quick guide to help with a more mindful choice which also supports your local community.
Consumable Products
Handmade soap, perfume, handmade local foods, local honey, local produce, candles, incense, natural deodorant, skin care and hair care products - products you know will be used or consumed and not wasted - choose locally made, naturally made products
Reduce Plastic
Kids toys, clothing, plastic things which have little or no use. Shop for a non-plastic option or a cause contributing to earth friendly sustainable, re-use or re-cycle values. Shopping local makes this choice easy, there are many hand-crafters and local artisans and artists around, plus you a giving a unique gift to both the small business you are supporting and the receiver
Give An Experience
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that someone who has everything or is difficult to buy for? An experience like a massage (or any self pamper), wine tour, hot air balloon float, couple photo shoot, or something simply that you know they will enjoy will always be well received. Choose a local service or company
Make Something From You
Hand-make something yourself. Whether it's baking, painting, making jewelry, macrame, renewing something you have as a gift - if you are inclined this is something truly unique you can give as a gift from you. Small items are usually best and remember to shop local for your supplies
Support a Local Cause
Supporting a local cause always feels good. If you have one you are passionate about, let everyone know instead of gifts, small donations towards this cause is how you are giving this year. Everyone can feel involved and purposeful with their giving with you
Don't Sweat the Gift Giving
The most important gift you can give anyone is your own happiness and that you share your light with them by giving them your time. Gifts and the pressure of buying for no other reason than an expectation is both stressful and unnecessary. If this is you, explain this to your inner circle, if you need to take a break this year (or any year) know that - this is OK
Do you know about the war on plastic?
Say No To Plastic
We are all waking up to the harmful effects of plastics. Plastics are everywhere, even when you don't think they are - you wouldn't want to know how many plastic fibers are released using just one tea bag which you then drink - maybe you do - A single plastic teabag at brewing temperature releases around 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles - American Chemical Society..
So what can we do? We all know plastics, such as most plastics found in clothing, take over 200 years to break down.
It is so inspiring to be on the leading edge of the world at a time when positive change and conscious living is rising - and wow we really need it to.
More and more of us are opting for a more minimal way of living and being conscious of what we are consuming and how.
Here are some very simple tips of what you can do in everyday life to help the war on plastic, and if you have more suggestions, please leave a comment below.
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No more plastic water bottles - invest in a unique 'forever' refillable bottle, these are not hard to come by and usually are insulating as well for hot or cold liquids
- Use a keep cup or similar for your take away drinks - there are so many beautiful options out there now - even for the wine on the beach in the evening, they're good for that too ;)
- Swap to soap bars and shampoo bars - often not only better for the planet in the long run they can actually become more cost effective for you and if you find an eco-conscious brand - you are also avoiding any adverse chemicals and toxins you wouldn't otherwise consider
- Razors - go back to the old fashioned razor, no more plastic and you just by new blades, some have a much better end result too
- Shop with reusable non-plastic bags - you can even get the little ones for you fruit and vegetables instead of reaching for a plastic bag
- Smarter shopping - opt for items and products wrapped in less or no plastic preferably and glass or tins over plastic bottles - if you look around your home you will be shocked to see how much of what we use is in plastic that doesn't need to be
- A BIG one for us - STOP WEARING PLASTIC - there is a huge movement towards natural fibers now, and, not only due to their biodegradable qualities, their natural properties make them the better option every time
Introducing the new Chloe and Belle Dress in Silver Fawn
Meet our Treasured Chloe
Our treasured Chloe shirt dress is a wonderful classic staple that has been created with much care. Carefully tailored around the waist it remains a relaxed fit although styled to keep a flattering shape. Adjustable sleeves, chest pockets and side hand pockets are just some of the added features bringing this dress next level, and who doesn't love a dress with pockets!
Lovingly brought to you from Broome this dress is great for any occasion; corporate dress, evening dress, everyday dress or stylish holiday essential
* Quality linen fabric keeps you cool all day long no matter how hot your day gets
* Linen gets softer, silkier and more beautiful with every wash, look forever stunning in this dress
* Gorgeous quality and tailored design this dress stands out in the crowd
Meet our Stunning Belle
Absolute elegance and comfort is our Belle dress with beautiful tiered styling and a stunning open back. An apron style dress brought to another level, you will never want to part with our Belle. This stunning crinkle linen adds to the beauty of this dress and its layering, it also has the ability to not be ironed, the crinkle becomes a gorgeous feature.
Our stunning Belle is a Broome favorite and we live in it all year long, only to be complimented everywhere. Take a loving piece of Broome with you always and make sure you take her for a spin x
* Quality linen fabric keeps you cool all day long no matter how hot your day gets
* Linen gets softer, silkier and more beautiful with every wash, look forever stunning in this dress
* Stunning tiered styling makes this dress flattering to every body shape
Why Have A Capsule Wardrobe?
Benefits of a capsule wardrobe
I think before getting into what a capsule wardrobe is and the methods of achieving one it is important to first be inspired by the benefits so your enjoy the journey.
Less stress
A well curated wardrobe has staple styles, colours and combinations so it wont be a headache to pick your outfit.
Clothes you love
A smaller wardrobe of clothing means you are much more careful with your purchases. Each and every piece should be one of quality and that you LOVE to wear. Your whole wardrobe becomes something you feel good in no matter what you choose for your day.
Your signature look
Having a smaller wardrobe also means you put more effort and consideration on every piece of clothing and how they go together. Carefully picking only clothing of quality that will last and that you truly love sets you apart. You become more confident and well put together.
Saves you money
Quality over quantity. In the long run this saves you money and is better for the planet. You are also usually supporting more ethically made clothing and not sweat shop pieces made to last a short season. Feel good and do good in good fashion.
Take time - can be years!
It is ok that a capsule wardrobe takes time to curate and establish. Enjoy the journey and enjoy the fact that it is a process to feel good about.
A Slow and Conscious process
Each addition or subtraction of clothing becomes a more conscious process. In order to have a smaller wardrobe of truly loved and well curated clothing takes more presence than mindlessly adding and adding.
Greener
A capsule wardrobe means you are not contributing to the fast fashion model. This is a worldwide problem which has escalated over the last 20 years. You value clothes made well, of quality and designed to last. Shopping local is key here, it can be fun finding those niche local brands who align with your values and you can feel good about supporting.
Saves you space
As a nice bonus you minimize your home buy having a smaller wardrobe. Just wait till you get spaces between the hangers and you can see everything clearly, I promise you you'll love it.
Could you wear the same thing every day?
Minimalism in your wardrobe
I've recently read an article about someone wearing one T-shirt every day of the week - and before your nose starts to twitch he has multiple shirts of the exact same T-shirt... and we are talking about a 'He' so perhaps slightly easier to envisage than your average female! The article did however, bring up some very relevant points to why this train of minimalism within your wardrobe could have many benefits.
I confess I could never take minimalism in my wardrobe quite this far although I took away some very valid points which I've summarized for you below. We are all about sustainability and slow fashion after all and the key to a simpler, slower, happier life is to become a minimalist not just within your wardrobe, but in all areas of your life.
- Fewer decisions and less time and energy wasted - wouldn't it be great to not have that every morning hassle and worry? Less stress on these decisions creates room for more positivity and productivity in your day
- Saving money and creating less waste - money more well spent and carefully decided upon saves you in the long run, quality clothing you love also reduces overall waste which is good for you and good for our planet
- Feeling better - when you look good you feel good. You become more grounded and productive, wearing carefully chosen outfits you love and enjoy - quality over quantity is key
- An iconic look - contrary to fast fashion pressure of trends changing every couple of months, a consistent look conveys confidence, clarity and becomes uniquely you. You will always look comfortable, stylish and well put together
Creating Real Change - The Fashion Advocate
The Fashion Advocate
We are so proud to be a part of what this amazing woman has created, spreading the word about supporting locally made sustainable and ethical fashion. Please see Claire's story below, we are so lucky to be involved in this shared vision.
"I am a fashion blogger, an avid clothes lover and an advocate for the Australian fashion industry, but first and foremost, I am a conscious consumer."
It was from my front row seat at A.F. Vandevorst during Paris Fashion Week in 2014 that I decided I would wake up every day in the name of fashion. As Sherry Qiu bound down the runway through a sea of smoke, everyone else was looking left – and I was looking right. I found myself completely absorbed in the menagerie of photographers before me, stacked on top, around and underneath each other, elbow to elbow and cheek to cheek in a silently understood mess. They were still, with only the movement of fingers on cameras and only the sound of fluttering lenses, synced in a frenzying harmony with every step each model took. Pose, snap snap, pose.
These were mere outfits on the runway to some, but moments in time to me. Each different angle became infinitely worthy to be captured, lusted over, longed for and needed. As crushed khaki linen layers and scarlet silks marched down the barrel of the runway, I was mesmerised, I was captivated, I was inspired. I decided then and there, that fashion would be the one thing I would always pursue, on a constant hunt for moments that move me. It is one thing to know trends, it is another to understand the feeling of fashion, and I felt it running through every vein in my body.
I now devote The Fashion Advocate to sharing meaningful content, focussing on Australian fashion, beauty and lifestyle labels that share my ethical and sustainable values. What started as a digital diary of my fashion musings has now grown into a community of likeminded individuals who are designing for positive social and environmental change.
If I can encourage just one reader to support the Australian industry and choose ethics over trends, my job here is done.
Now is the time to look deep down into the bottom drawer, into the darkest corners of our wardrobes, and think seriously about the impacts of our consuming habits. Your wardrobe and your home should reflect who you are and what you stand for, and mine reflect my ethics and values. I could reference Chanel, Anna Wintour or Alexander McQueen, who have all coined some of the most memorable quotes in fashion history, but I agree most with Alber Elbaz, who said, “Fashion is pure, intense emotions. It’s not about design. It’s about feelings." Feelings are what make us human, but somewhere along the way, we've lost our values and fast fashion has become a monster.
I want to slow things down. I want to remind people of the true value of their clothes and teach shoppers to respect the people who make them. I work every day on my quest to inspire people to think consciously about their wardrobes, because every garment counts.
– Claire Goldsworthy - founder of The Fashion Advocate
Looking after your linen clothing
Keeping your favourite linens white naturally
Caring for linen is not as hard as may be perceived. At Love Linen we are all about looking after our planet as well and, as it happens, some of the best and least expensive fabric softeners and stain removers are natural products.
By far one of our absolute favorites is bi-carb soda (or baking soda). It can make your towels and sheets super soft and fluffy and better yet can soften your favourite linen clothing and also act as an amazing natural stain remover and help keep your whites white. Just add about a quarter of a cup or 2 - 3 tablespoons per wash.
Bonus: Our at home tip. We wash all of our linen clothing on cold, machine wash, hand wash cycle with an earth friendly washing powder and bi-carb soda, as soon as our load has finished we hang on hangers inside or under our shaded courtyard to air dry and fall out beautifully. If you do wish to iron your linen clothing, hot tip - do it before the fabric is dry (still damp) and it's so much easier!
Slow fashion and a Conscious Life
Conscious living can start with fashion
What brought me to this journey was a yearning for a simpler and more considered, healthier way of life. Through a journey of slow ethical fashion made well, and made in Australia, flows through to a greater proportion of everything in daily life.
Daily learnings of reducing waste, reducing plastic, recycling more, reusing, shopping local, owning less, paying more attention to impacts of life and the way we live - it opens up a whole realm of possibilities into so many new exciting states of awareness. If you are not aware and present to what is around you than what kind of life are you living?
I believe we all have an obligation to our surroundings - some might say to mother earth - but, even more so to ourselves. We need to honor ourselves and what's around us by consciously living in all that we do. Consciously consuming, consciously eating and consciously being.
Minimalism has also been a very helpful path in this aspect. Creating more of a rich and considered life by minimizing or getting rid of what's really not important in your life, so then you may have the time and space to enjoy what is.
For me this started with fashion or clothing. We put clothes on every day don't we? It's a great place to start to live with more intention and more awareness. Join us here and start your journey. Ours in through a love of linen x
Lets Chat with the Designer
The Interview
Recently I was interviewed by the Fashion Advocate who advocates specially for Australian ethical and sustainable fashion. Weekend reads of what is so close to our hearts.
Love Linen Takes Responsibility For Its Environmental and Social Fashion Impact
Helen Atcheson isn't concerned with trends or fads, contrary to the popular fashion model. Helen is an art lover, an environmentalist, and the passionate mind behind Love Linen, an ethical fashion label.
Helen is inspired by all things natural, and her designs reflect the balmy days and sticky nights of her Western Australia lifestyle where some winter days are a beautiful 29 degrees. In that kind of environment, linen is a must, and it's the only fabric Helen chooses to use in her range.
She's a passionate supporter of local craft herself, and she lovingly pours her passion for sustainable fashion into her range.
Love Linen's Belle Dress may have been designed for the warm and sticky weather of Helen's hometown in Broome, but I live in it, even when it’s winter in Melbourne. That’s the secret of a sustainable wardrobe; buying pieces you can layer and mix and match season after season, all throughout the year. I’ve teamed it with an old white skivvy, and it would look great with a pair of boots and tights too, but it’s perfect with swimwear in summer, or flats on a sunny Sunday.
It's my favourite pick in the Love Linen range, and a sustainable wardrobe staple too. I recently picked Helen's creative brain on her love for linen, and what it means to be a conscious fashion label...
Why are you passionate about ethical fashion?
Well, we could be here for some time! The fashion industry is well known for its exploitation of human and natural resources. It is something that is not thought enough about when purchasing, but if most people did, they would realise they are largely supporting slave labour (the majority of which are women and children), and it's not a pretty thought. We all have an obligation, to take responsibility for every purchase we make and who or what we are supporting with our dollar vote. Ethical fashion is not just about supporting fair wages and working conditions, and it is very hard to imagine this is even an issue in this day in age. Rather, it is supporting the bigger impact of these conditions. If something is not made ethically, to a large extent it will not live a long life. Then the circle continues of unsustainable waste and pollution, of which the fashion industry is number two in the world. This has to change. We feel education is the key and we are very proud to be part of this movement in Australia. Thankfully we have advocates such as The Fashion Advocate, in addition to an Australian accreditation body representing this and we are proudly new members of Ethical Clothing Australia too.
Why do you think sustainability is important in the fashion industry?
We all need to realise that sustainability has been a gross afterthought. With the explosion of technology, synthetic textiles and fast fashion particularly over the last 20 years, it is only just recently that we are turning things around and realising that the way we're operating - can't continue. The fashion industry does not currently support sustainability. Consumers are encouraged to follow trends and seasons and to keep up with whatever is new. But sustainability in the fashion industry is no longer a choice; it is an obligation. We cannot continue on our current wasteful path. Among many disturbing facts and figures, more than three-quarters of clothing ends up in landfill or incinerated within its first year – and this has to change. So, we've turned towards natural fibres and quality made clothing designed to last. Sustainability within the fashion industry, must go hand in hand with an awakening of what you may say is trending – minimalism, a slower, considered and more conscious way of life. It's a better way of consuming. As consumers, we must take this responsibility in everything we do.
Who or what inspires you?
In addition to the above, I love what I do. I love being part of the slow fashion movement in Australia. I love supporting our beautiful country and keeping it small, keeping it real, keeping it Australian made and operated. I love natural fibres; linen just may be my favourite! I have always been a little arty so putting my creativity out there in the world through fashion, although a little scary, is very fulfilling. Most of all, my inspiration comes from my beautiful home town of Broome. Broome is pretty much summer all year round and natural fibres are all you want to wear in tropical, hot climates. The natural qualities that only linen possesses are how Love Linen came about.
How do you spread the word on the slow fashion movement?
Our focus is on classic styles and functional designs which are made to last a lifetime. We do not follow fashion trends or seasons and we aim to produce timeless essentials through our love of linen. Those familiar with linen, know that part of its beauty is that it gets better with time. We also focus on short-run production which means we only make a few of each style in carefully chosen quality linen fabric. We are always looking towards supporting more earth-friendly and sustainable ways of everything we do and communicating it too. Around 91% of all clothing sold in Australia is imported, but if consumers made a commitment to shop local and Australian made, slow fashion would naturally become prominent. With making more local, conscious purchases also comes added variety, quality, uniqueness and authenticity from supporting local Australian businesses. We are very proud to be a part of this by sharing our story, and while we may be one of few, I believe if we stand together, we can make a world of difference.
Where does your love of linen come from and why do you champion this fabric in your collections?
What’s not to love about a fabric that gets better with time?! There are so many reasons why we are so passionate about linen; it is sustainable from harvest to production, and we value the time, care and skill (almost ancient) required to produce quality linen. It is also extremely durable and it possesses intrinsic qualities as the world's oldest fabric. We believe it is the most loved, natural fibre available, and we believe there is so much more we can do with linen that has not been explored yet. This is just the beginning for us and we are so excited about our journey. Love, through linen, goes into absolutely everything we do.
Support a sustainable fashion future and shop the full Love Linen range here.
We are proudly accredited!
Newly members of Ethical Clothing Australia
At Love Linen it is so important to us that our creation process is ethical and sustainable. We are proud to be an Ethical Clothing Australia accredited company, ensuring ethical business practices and fair work rights for all throughout every stage of manufacturing. This also means true quality of manufacture ensuring a long lifespan of all our Love Linen creations.
Your special Love Linen addition is proudly made in Australia and you can be assured you are buying high quality 100% linen fabrics that are locally sourced. Through our love of linen may you be filled with our love of our beautiful home, earth, healthy, conscious and natural lifestyle. We are forever continuing to strive towards more earth friendly and conscious ways of production.
"Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA®) is an accreditation body that works collaboratively with local textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) companies manufacturing in Australia. The ECA voluntary accreditation program offers practical and affordable assistance to these businesses and ensures that their Australian supply chains are fully transparent and legally compliant.
The ECA program maps a company’s Australian supply chain throughout the entire cut, make and trim process, including all value-adding processes. This is done via annual third-party compliance audits conducted by the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA). By encouraging companies to view supply chain management as an integral part of a business, ECA protects the rights of both local factory-based workers and outworkers (also known as homeworkers)." - ECA
Do people really care about Ethical Fashion?
Why make your sustainable ethical choice?
The realisation of the impact of fast fashion is what started us on our journey.
Sick and tired of clothes (which I though I paid a 'fair' price for) falling about within a couple of months.
No. There was nothing 'fair' in the price or decision I was unconsciously making.
Quickly learning the impacts did not take long.
Some facts:
Australia is the second-largest consumers of new textiles in the world, each person buying an average of 27kg of new textiles every year. (Textile Beat 2016)
In the past 15 years, the average number of times a garment is worn before it ceases to be used has decreased by 36%. (Elle MacArthur Foundation 2017)
In Australia, 92% of clothes sold in Australia are imported. (Choice 2014)
Polyester production emitted about 706 billion kg (1.5 trillion pounds) of greenhouse gases in 2015 equivalent of the annual emissions of 185 coal-fired power plants. (World Resources Institute 2017)
The number of garments produced globally exceeded 100 billion for the first time in 2014. (McKinsey 2016)
Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2014. (McKinsey 2016)
4% of what Australians spend on clothing goes to the wages of workers in garment factories across the globe.(Oxfam 2017) - please read that more than once.. : O
In Australia, some garment outworkers earn as little as $7 an hour and, in some cases, as little as $4 well which is below the minimum wage of $17.49 per hour. (Choice 2014)
Over 50% of workers within the fashion industry are not paid the minimum wage in countries like India and the Philippines. (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)
Australians throw out 6 tonnes or 6,000 kgs of clothing textiles every 10 minutes (War On Waste 2017)
Nearly three-fifths or 60% of all clothing produced ends up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being made. (McKinsey 2016)
About 1,900 synthetic plastic microfibers per garment are released when washed and due to its tiny sizes and shapes, aren’t caught in waste water treatment and enter our oceans. (Browne et al. 2011a)
It takes about 2,720 litres of water to produce just one cotton shirt – a number equivalent to what an average person drinks over three years. (EJF)
Researchers anticipate the industry’s water consumption will increase by 50% by 2030 as cotton producers are located in countries suffering water stress, such as China and India. (Global Fashion Agenda 2017)
It takes about 170,000 litres of water to grow a kilogram of wool. (Julian Cribb ‘The Coming Famine‘ 2010)
Polyester and cotton dominate the global textiles and fibre market, 51% and 24% respectively (Lenzing, 2017)
Approximately 300 million people who produce cotton are still living in poverty. (Fairtrade 2017)
63% of textile fibres are derived from petrochemicals. (Lenzing 2017)
Choose Well, Choose Consciously - Shop Ethical & Sustainable