Generation Women Australia x Ethical Clothing Australia Present
The First Stitch: My Life in Australia's Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry
We’re bringing our powerful storytelling format to The Factory Theatre for a special one-night-only event, in partnership with Ethical Clothing Australia.
Join us for a “behind the seams” look into the lives of the women who make our clothes in the local textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry.
Globally and locally, the TCF industry is deeply gendered, with around 77% of the Australian workforce identifying as female. It’s a space full of extraordinary women — from highly skilled sewing technicians to innovative entrepreneurs. It’s also an industry where women are disproportionately impacted by poor working conditions, exploitation and unequal pay.
Ethical Clothing Australia is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder initiative that’s been protecting the rights of local TCF workers for nearly 25 years. Through their accreditation program, which spans from design to dispatch, they champion safe, fair and ethical work practices while elevating the voices of garment workers and ethical businesses alike.
In 2024, they launched the Victorian Women’s Leadership Network — an industry-first initiative supporting the growth, visibility and professional development of women across their accredited community.
For this special event, Generation Women Australia is proud to collaborate with Ethical Clothing Australia to share the real stories of women in the TCF industry — from the sewing room to the showroom and everywhere in between.
Our six storytellers will span six generations, each sharing a personal story that reflects their experience working in or alongside this essential industry.
This is an unforgettable night of truth, tenacity and talent — a celebration of the women who bring our clothes to life.
Generation Women is an award-winning storytelling event founded in New York in 2017, launched in Sydney in 2018, and Melbourne in 2020. Each show features six storytellers — one woman in her 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s+ — sharing an original story on a shared theme.
Hosted by Charlie
Produced by Donna Logue, Founder Generation Women Australia
Created by Georgia Clark.