Fashion is so much more than creating beautiful clothing and an engaging in-store experience – it’s also about the footprint we leave on the planet and the impact we have on all those who contribute to the creation of the KOOKAÏ collection.
ETHICS & SUSTAINABILITY
KOOKAÏ is a family-owned and run business, based out of Melbourne, Australia. Since our beginnings in 1992, we have continued a pursuit of an ethical and meaningful existence in the fashion world. This mantra governs the way we conduct our business across all facets of KOOKAÏ.
In 2018, we established our Ethics & Sustainability committee with representatives from our Executives, Supply Chain Management, Legal, Retail, Branding, Store Design and IT departments. The focus of the committee is to ensure we're keeping ethics and sustainability initiatives at the core of everything we do - from head office right through the supply chain and our retail boutiques.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE
While trends change, we don’t believe fashion should be disposable. Each of our garments are carefully constructed and designed to last and be well-loved essentials in our customers’ wardrobes. Our garments are built with a quality aesthetic that stands the test of time.
We are on the journey of understanding and improving our environmental impact. We are consciously working towards incorporating sustainable materials and responsible production measures into our designs, and are committed to actively working together with our suppliers to identify and implement more environmentally sustainable solutions. KOOKAÏ is working towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
MINDFUL MANUFACTURING
KOOKAÏ cares about how our garments are manufactured, by who, and the employees’ working environment. Working conditions and worker welfare is of paramount importance and is why we have chosen to own and operate our own manufacturing facilities in Fiji and Sri Lanka.
Dissatisfied by the working conditions of some of the factories we had visited internationally, we made this decision to improve transparency in our supply chain and to ensure we have full control and visibility of the conditions of employment for our manufacturing employees, and the quality of products produced.
KOOKAÏ is proud to have a vertically integrated manufacturing model, from design, to manufacture, to retail. Each of our garments starts its life in our Australian head office, where it's designed by our in-house design team, brought to life by our pattern makers and machinists, sampled and fitted. From here, our manufacturing teams in Fiji and Sri Lanka produce the majority of our collection, ready for delivery to our boutiques across Australia and New Zealand. Our Australian team is in constant communication with our manufacturing facilities, with representatives from our head office and our manufacturing facilities meeting regularly and visiting often to collaborate and provide training.
The payment of a living wage to workers involved in the KOOKAÏ supply chain is enshrined in KOOKAÏ’s Code of Labour Conduct, which any suppliers to KOOKAÏ must adhere to. KOOKAÏ is committed to ensuring workers within its supply chain are paid a living wage, and is actively working with suppliers to achieve this goal.
KOOKAÏ's supply chain is assessed by the Baptist World Australia Ethical Fashion Report's research team each year, and are currently graded an A-, ranking us amongst the top-rated Australian fashion brands for the ethics and sustainability of our supply chain.
Magi Enterprises Fiji
Suva, FIJI
Daniva Rd Valelevu, Nasinu,
Our Fiji manufacturing facilities employ just under 1,000 Fijian residents, including 78% female employees who produce the majority of the KOOKAÏ basics collection, as well as an executive and head office team.
Magi Lanka
Hanwella, SRI LANKA
Suduwella, Kaluaggala, Hanwella
Our Sri Lankan manufacturing facilities employ just under 730 Sri Lankan Residents, including 76% female employees who produce the majority of the KOOKAÏ fashion collection, as well as an executive and head office team.
WORKING TOGETHER WITH OUR VALUED SUPPLIERS
Social compliance audits are performed regularly to ensure safe and hygienic work conditions, an engaged and motivated workforce, strong governance and accountability, and payment of fair wages.
KOOKAÏ conducts social compliance audits via independent third parties at our own manufacturing facilities in addition to requiring audit documentation for third party suppliers through our supply chain. The audit results are monitored and KOOKAÏ works closely with both of its manufacturing facilities on any improvements that need to be made.
KOOKAÏ values its relationship with its suppliers and is working with them to trace the ultimate source of raw materials used in KOOKAÏ products.
The raw fabrics and textiles used for KOOKAÏ's basics range are sourced from ABMT Textiles, a global leader in natural fibre performance, lifestyle and fashion textiles. KOOKAÏ has a long-term relationship with ABMT, who are committed to quality, traceability, ethical and environmental responsibility.
ABMT Pty Ltd
100-128 Ferris Road
Melton VIC 3337
More information about ABMT can be found on their website.
Manufacturing workers, particularly those in the garment industry, were impacted significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. We've endorsed the International Labour Organization's COVID-19 Call to Action in the Global Garment Industry, which aims to generate global action to protect the health, employment and income of workers and establish systems of social protection in the global garment industry.
On 29 October 2020, Baptist World Aid Australia confirmed that KOOKAÏ has complied with the following COVID Fashion Commitments, achieving the top tier 'ALL" ranking in the 2020 COVID Fashion Report:
You can access the full 2020 COVID Fashion Report here.
