Our mission
In 2019, determined to ignite the change we want to see in the world, we embarked on a journey to create a petite fashion label like no other.
A label that takes no shortcuts when it comes to sustainability.
A label that stands up to the rise of 'greenwashing'.
You see, there’s so much more to that pair of jeans you’re wearing than the cotton they’re made from. The thread, the ink, the buttons, the zip, the labels, the people who made them, and how they got into your hands - all have an impact.
Here at JOYEMPATHY, we’ve researched and tested the heck out of every raw material we use, tracing it back to its origin, following its manufacturing journey, and measuring its impact.
We’re here to disrupt petite fashion and fill your wardrobes with effortless, joyful, well-fitting pieces that don’t cost the Earth.
Our materials and practices
Sustainable Production
TENCEL™ Lyocell
We have consciously selected fabrics that contain TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres because of its transparency and sustainable origin of wood sources.
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are derived from sustainable wood sources, harvested from certified and controlled sources following the stringent guidelines of the Lenzing Wood and Pulp Policy. These fibres are also available with FSC®(C041246) or PEFC™ certification upon request.
Moreover, wood and pulp used by the Lenzing Group comes from natural forests and sustainably managed plantations. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres have earned United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred® designation.
The certified bio-based fibres are manufactured using an environmentally responsible production process which recycles process water and reuses the solvent at a recovery rate of more than 99%. The fibres are certified as compostable and biodegradable, and thus can fully revert back to nature.
natural comfort for sensitive skin
Sustainable Fibres
TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are luxuriously soft and gentle on skin, breathable, durable and unfavourable for bacteria growth.
The smooth fibres surface of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres absorbs moisture more efficiently than cotton. This supports the body's natural thermal regulating mechanism, keeping your skin feeling pleasantly cool and dry throughout the day and night.
When viewed under an electron microscope, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres exhibit a smooth surface area, giving fabrics a smooth feel and ensuring comfort for sensitive skin.
Key benefits:
🍃 Botanic origin
🍃 Sustainable production
🍃 Enhanced breathability
🍃 Colour retention
🍃 Gentle on skin
🍃 Biodegradable
🍃 Unfavourable for bacterial growth
Natural and Biodegradable
CHARLE Organic Elastics
Our elastic bands are made from natural rubber (latex) and organic cotton that stretches beautifully for extra comfort.
We have consciously chosen not to use the industry-standard elastic bands which are made using non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, polyester, nylon and spandex.
Sourced ethically from the world’s first ecological elastic maker CHARLE in Berlin, Germany. Our elastic bands are produced in a family-run business in Austria using natural rubber from plantations in Malaysia (without child labour) and organic cotton from Turkey.
Key benefits:
🍃 Plastic-free
🍃 Vegan
🍃 Certified organic cotton*
🍃 Natural rubber
🍃 Biodegradable
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Raw material from certified organic farming. Organic fibres are natural fibres grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms. Organic agriculture is a production process that sustains the health of ecosystems, soils and people.
eco-friendly
Digital Printing
Your skin is your body's largest organ, which is why we don't use any toxic chemicals to colour or treat our fabrics.
Our exclusive prints are digitally-printed, a process that uses significantly less water and energy than traditional screen printing.
Small details with a big impact
Natural Shell Button
We’ve removed the need for fasteners on most of our designs, but where absolutely necessary, we use natural shell buttons instead of mass-produced plastic buttons.
Our signature shell buttons are created by nature and ethically handcrafted for each design.
They’re biodegradable and painted with environmentally-friendly paint that contains no heavy metals.
They’re durable, lightweight, machine washable, and unique.
Earth-conscious raw material
Natural Cotton Thread & Labels
We use 100% cotton sewing thread and clothing labels in place of the industry-standard polyester which is made from fossil fuels and takes hundreds of years to biodegrade.
Every time you wear and wash something made using polyester, it releases toxic microfibres into the environment which pose a danger to human and aquatic life.
Our clothing labels are printed on organic cotton using soy-based ink, and they’re attached to your garment with cotton string.
GOODBYE, PLASTIC
Sustainable Packaging
Your garments are carefully wrapped in a reusable tote bag finished with 100% linen bow, and shipped to you in a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified 100% recycled, recyclable, and reusable kraft paper mailer.
Our collections are designed in Australia and ethically manufactured in China.
Although we initially intended to manufacture within Australia, the options are extremely limited and the costs far too high.
Our mission is to offer a better alternative to fast fashion, but it becomes infeasible when the price of the garment is out of reach for the average consumer.
And so, the search for an overseas manufacturer began.
It was crucial to us that we partner with a manufacturer who understands our mission and is dedicated to driving change in the fashion industry.
A partner who is willing to keep testing different raw material options as they emerge, and to push the boundaries of making clothes sustainably.
This search led us to a wonderful maker who employs a team of highly skilled dressmakers and machinists that’s adept at using the best technology available.
They respect and take good care of their people, making sure they’re paid a higher than average wage, and provided with annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, and leave for cultural celebrations.
They’re approved by the amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative, a social auditing methodology that provides its members with the tools required to monitor their entire supply chain.
This ensures suppliers are treating workers ethically and legally when it comes to freedom of association, fair remuneration, health and safety, and prohibition of child labour.
It is an industry-driven movement that aims to monitor and assess workplace standards across the global supply chain, as set out in their Code of Conduct.
JOY for fashion. EMPATHY for Earth.
If you’ve made it this far, you must care as much as we do, and for that we thank you.
Globally, we consume approximately 80 billion new garments every year, making fast fashion second only to oil when it comes to pollution.
We believe that together we can drive change without losing out on the joy of expressing yourself through the clothes you wear.