The Fabric Social

Our backstory

The Fabric Social was founded with a core social goal in mind: long-term peacebuilding through economic development. We partner with women-run artisan co-ops in communities facing post-conflict and other insecurity, and pair their traditional skills with Melbourne design talent to create socially and environmentally sustainable fashion for the underserved Australian ethical fashion market.

Siami x Siami is a design and production house operated by designer Siami Pachuau, and is one of our three partner organisations in Asia. Through SxS, Siami wants to use fashion to sustain the Mizo weaving tradition, support women’s economic independence, and to help Mizoram rebuild from conflict. Siami works hand in hand with women-led producers to create premium quality 100% locally produced fashion products. SxS has partnered with Te Te, the owner and head tailor of her own small business, which supports young women to develop professional tailoring skills and earn a livable income. 

The crowdfunding project

Siami is building a production unit, which is a big deal for both of us. Complete with a work station and dyeing unit, the new production house will provide a proper workspace for local women, and give Siami the capacity to run tailoring skills and dyeing training sessions for women, and create more jobs.

For The Fabric Social, this also means we will be able to consolidate our production to Northeast India. We want our social impact to focus on this region, where forgotten conflict has killed and displaced thousands, and where the new generation is working to rebuild their communities. Consolidating production to the Northeast with the construction of this production unit would mean that we direct all of our investment into our target communities.

SxS has secured a space to rent, and funds for the construction of a permanent unit. The Fabric Social is sending over a Project Manager and Production Assistant - Bella and Charlotte - to help Siami start training local women. 

What we are missing, however, is the physical equipment the women will need to be able to get started on this important and impactful work. This is where you come in. 

With your help, we would be able to purchase:

• 2 sets of scissors: $10 each
• 2 Olfa roller cutters: $20 each
• 4 professional cutting tables: $25 each
• Cutting table mat: $40
• Practice fabric: $100
• Ironing equipment: $100
• 3-4 Lock-stitch sewing machines: $550 each
• 40 metres of our fabric from Assam: $500 
• A good quality overlocker sewing machine: $1400

Total: $4500

Working in the Northeast is tricky, and life often gets in the way. We understand getting sewing machines and dye equipment out to remote communities will be time consuming, and our timelines are destined to fall apart. But we are problem solvers, and are lucky enough to have been doing this for a long time. We have the patience and longevity to see this project through, with full confidence in our field partners and in our volunteers. 

We are determined to support Siami’s dream of creating a weaving and tailoring society to keep these vibrant Mizo traditions alive, and we hope you are too.