A celebration of Women in Cotton
Future Cotton Leader Emma Bond, (your designer) was the guest speaker at the #wincott (Women In Cotton) 2022 Ladies of the Land Luncheon at Emerald. Local Women in Cotton modelled her designs, including garments and millinery - all 100% cotton!
Emma shared:
Her story from farm to fashion
Universal design and why it matters
An inside look into our fashion industry & circular fashion -where cotton has a natural fit
And closed with a call out to women in cotton #wincott
See our summary notes and quotes from Emma below.
Emma Bond addresses guests at the Ladies of the Land Luncheon. Photo: Queensland Country Life
Universal design
At Madi & Pip our design process starts with universal principles. Universal design is design that can be understood, accessed, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age or ability.
“Far too often fashion misses usability. Fashion is not pain. Fashion should always be beautiful, fun and functional.”
Circular fashion - A fashion economy where cotton has a natural place!
Going on as we are is never going to work. We have finite resources, a growing population, and the climate crisis - we have to change the system. We can do better than this, and it is fascinating to be part of the solution.
A circular economy for fashion is based on three principles: regenerate natural systems, design out waste and pollution, and keeps products in materials in use. If we do this we have an industry that designs beautiful things and they sit within a system that ultimately makes the world a better place.
Circular design starts with safe, recycled and renewable fibres
“Safe for use. Safe when made. Safe for the communities that live within coooee of the manufacturing.
Australian cotton ticks this box for me. It is renewable. It is safe. It’s durable - and can easily be recycled! It can also be composted, and I am so excited about the initiative and research being undertaken as part of the Goondawindi Circular Cotton Project!”
Circular design is considered to that it is made to be made again
We know that fabric blends are a real problem in terms of recyclability. Currently 1% of fashion, globally, is recycled. Recycling is more complicated when more components are added. At Madi & Pip we rarely use fabric blends. We also think carefully about plastics and metals added to design (for example interfacing, thread and zips.) Where we can, we design so that they are not required, however, if essential for functionality we design with materials that have the same end of life as the other components. Or so that it can be easily disassembled.
Used more
We have some of the most incredible landscapes here in Australia. But every 10 minutes we are filling this land with 6,000kg of textiles waste, dumped into landfill. At Madi & Pip our garments are worn more. As each garment is sewn when you order- you are getting something special that meets your personal and functional needs.
“When something is made for you, and you know your maker, and the natural resources used - you appreciate it. So you hang on to it. You wear it, cause you like it, and you’re proud of it and hell, you paid good money for it - so you had better wear it!”
Cotton has a natural fit within the circular fashion economy.
It is a safe renewable fibre that does not contribute to micro plastics when we wash.
“If we are looking for premium cotton, that is ethically grown with consideration of people and planet - we don’t need to travel far.”
When we source new fabric and yarn, it is always Australian cotton. Our Australian cotton really is beautiful; it is high quality and the values and active commitment to people and planet by the industry – aligns with our own. Australian cotton growers are now recognised as the most water efficient in the world and three times more efficient than the global average.
Queensland cotton growers Mitch & Mariah Brimblecombe
A call out to all women in cotton:
Fashion touches 100% of the population. We all engage with it! But we each only have one body. Invest in fashion that makes you feel great and also speaks your values. There are so many brands out their innovating and creating sustainable, ethical fashion. Be curious and ask questions before you buy.
Remember to look for Australian cotton and support the designers that showcase your premium fibre including: Pure Dreamwear, Country Road, Farm to Hanger, Sussan, Elk the Label, A.BCH, Love Thy Farmer, & Bonds.
“As women in cotton, I also ask that you share your story. I would love to see the story of our modern Australian Cotton industry widely shared. People are curious and want to do the right thing, by our environment and people; but there is a lot of misinformation out there about our industry. Not everyone knows where cotton comes from, or what it even looks like before it becomes a fabric. When you share your story, it makes each Australian cotton garment more valuable. People like connection. Connection creates value. Valued fashion stays in circulation for longer - getting you more bang for your buck and preserving our environment.”
Thank you
To Gaile Spargo & Jodie Dawson, and the Wincott committee; as well as sponsors: Rabo Bank, LDC, Bayer, RDO, Central Highlands Cotton Growers & Irrigators Association, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Cotton Growers Services, & Cotton Australia.
#womenincotton #wincott #ladiesoftheland #australiancotton #australiancottongrowers #australianfashionandtextiles #australianmade #whoemadeyourfibre #circularfashion #cottonfashion #australianfashiondesigners #emmabondcotton #futurecottonleader
