Epson and The Social Outfit are partnering for an ethical and sustainable fashion industry, which they say will be empowering refugee women through education, training and employment.
The Social Outfit is a Sydney-based non-profit and social enterprise fashion label dedicated to helping refugee and new migrant women kick-start their Australian careers. The new partnership centres on two key community focused campaigns – the Refugee Week Campaign and the Community Print Project, both of which are being supported by Epson.
Epson MD Craig Heckenberg explained, “Our new partnership with The Social Outfit is built on shared values. Both Epson and The Social Outfit believe in the power of collaboration, bringing together diverse people, skills and resources to support our communities. As a print and projection partner, Epson is contributing resources and expertise to support key initiatives throughout the partnership based on project needs and shared capacity. Ultimately this partnership will help refugee and new migrant women get their first break in the fashion industry.”
Epson is a significant developer of DTG and DTF print solutions. One of the main events that forms part of the Refugee Week Campaign was the Wear the Change annual flagship fundraiser, to support The Social Outfit’s Retail Training Programme.
As part of this programme, trainees have their first work experience in Australia, and gain paid retail work experience and customer service skills in The Social Outfit’s fashion store in Newtown, Sydney.
Epson, as event partner and co-host, supported and helped raise funds for the Wear the Change event and campaign, with visual projection and creative installations at The Social Outfit store throughout Refugee Week.
“We see strong synergy with Epson, and are excited about how this partnership will enhance our products, storytelling and support for the refugee women we train and employ. Epson’s commitment to creativity, technology and sustainability makes it an ideal partner for this year’s Wear the Change campaign, supporting both our in-store activation and fundraising efforts,” said Amy Low, CEO, The Social Outfit.
Through its ethical manufacturing workroom and retail store, The Social Outfit provide training, employment and pathways to employment in the fashion industry – supporting social wellbeing, skills development and financial independence.
Craig Heckenberg concluded, “Only 20 per cent of women from refugee backgrounds are engaged in the workforce. The Social Outfit focuses on providing that critical first Australian job, often the hardest to secure and connects staff with industry partners to help them transition into ongoing employment. To date, 84 per cent of those employed by The Social Outfit have moved onto other roles. As such Epson is a proud partner in this invaluable social enterprise.”
Following Refugee Week, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, governor general of Australia and patron of The Social Outfit, hosted a ‘Meet the Makers’ celebration at Admiralty House. Epson was invited to take part in the occasion, joining in the recognition of The Social Outfit’s impact, and the importance of inclusive pathways for refugee women in Australia’s fashion industry.
