We’re the change

High fashion is rarely associated with social conscience or sustainability, but one small enterprise in the inner west is working to alter that one stitch at a time. 

The Social Outfit is a not-for-profit clothing manufacturer whose mission is to empower migrant and refugee people, in particular women, by teaching them skills that will help them find employment, be independent and build self-esteem. 

The organisation sources end-of-roll, remnant, and other donated fabrics from designers and fashion houses. Trainees then design, cut, sew and sell bespoke, limited edition clothing from this gifted cloth. 

It began in around 2012 when founder, Jackie Ruddock, inspired by The Social Studio in Melbourne, decided to create something similar in Sydney. A funding campaign attracted generous donations and saw The Social Outfit launch with a pop-up shop in The Rocks in 2013. The following year they secured a premises on King Street, Newtown which sold clothing and held sewing classes for refugees and newly arrived migrants. 

That year, they also engaged the sartorial empress herself, Carla Zampatti, as The Social Outfit ambassador. Her daughter, Bianca Spender came on board in 2018 and is currently the ambassador. 

From there, things expanded so significantly they had to let out some seams!

A new shop at 188 King Street, a new manufacturing space in Marrickville, fundraising and education initiatives, high profile sponsorship and support – their success curve rose higher and faster than hemlines in the 1960s. 

In June 2020, The Social Outfit launched Wear The Change, a fundraising campaign that coincided with Refugee Week. It proved so popular and effective that they made it an annual event. 

Wear The Change 2023  runs from Monday June 19 to Friday June 23, alongside Refugee Week. The campaign encourages participants to be imaginative with their styling while raising money for The Social Outfit. 

Here’s how it works:   

STEP 1
Select one fabulous, ethical and sustainable garment from your wardrobe. Wear it every day from June 19 – 23, styled in five different ways over the five days. We’d love to see you wear something from The Social Outfit, however, you can wear anything from your wardrobe that is ethically and sustainably made.

STEP 2
Invite people from your networks to donate to your fundraising page!
Set up your personal fundraising profile and invite people to sponsor you to take the challenge! Every dollar you raise goes towards The Social Outfit’s non-profit community programs supporting women from new migrant and refugee backgrounds with training and employment pathways here in Australia.

STEP 3
Share your fabulous styles on social media.
Post your outfits on social media using the campaign hashtag #WearTheChange2023. We’ll be featuring our favourite styles on our socials so make sure you tag @thesocialoutfit. Please Note: Sharing your outfits on social media is not essential, but it can be a lot of fun. It also helps raise awareness about sustainable style broadly and can help to inspire your networks to sponsor you to reach your fundraising goal.

For more information and to get involved, visit wearthechange.thesocialoutfit.org

The Social Outfit shop is at 188 King St, Newtown

thesocialoutfit.org