Australia’s Country Road points to grassroots innovation
Australia-based denim and casualwear company Country Road has published the names of three initiatives among which it plans to apportion the monies earmarked for its 1.5 million Australian dollar Climate Fund, currently in its first cycle.
Besides a project aimed at helping farmers linked to Landcare Australia “unlock emissions reductions in the fashion industry supply chain”, the brand is also set to invest in a scheme centred on educating woolgrowers about protecting domestic plains-wanderers’ grassland habitats. Thirdly, a multistakeholder programme called Mud to Marle seeks to establish an on-shore, closed-loop ecosystem for upcycling low-value wool fibres into high-value finished products from spinning through dyeing.
It is coordinated by Full Circle Fibres, a B Corp-certified social non-profit, Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials and fibre producers such as Ridgehaven (wool), Australian Super Cotton, Geelong Dyers and Geelong Textiles.
“We believe that partnerships are key to tackling industry-wide challenges and driving deep, long-term challenge,” explained Country Road managing director, Elle Roseby.
She added that the brand was “thrilled to be able to support those driving innovation at the grassroots level” and excited to support its first cohort of Climate Fund finalists.
Thamarrurr Youth Indigenous Corporation, hailing from the Northern Territory, notably received honourable mention for its textiles and fashion work alongside remote First Nations communities.
Image: Country Road.
