ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY
We are on a journey to develop and refine every element of our business, from our collections and products to the day-to-day practices at DISSH, all in an effort to be kinder to the planet. We take accountability for being part of an industry which has a huge impact on the environment and we are committed to major positive change.
We want DISSH collections to feel good in every sense – with our customers feeling empowered and positive wearing our pieces, whilst feeling good about buying from a brand that shares their conscious values. We are excited to announce our partnership with an Australian Sustainability Consultant to reassess all aspects of our business. We will be announcing our commitments in 2022 following this evaluation.
We are navigating this journey with honesty and transparency, sharing milestones with our valued community every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued support.
FABRICS AND MATERIALS
The majority of our new collections are created from natural fibres. We have been designing and curating collections that hero 100% linen, a natural fibre with a lower environmental impact than other materials. Its strength and durability mean your DISSH linens can be worn time and time again. Linen is not only biodegradable, but looks great and feels luxurious, with added breathability making garments transeasonal all year around. We have also introduced other new environmentally friendly fabrics into our collections, including ramie, cupro, and more.
We are excited to announce we have just launched our first collection crafted with REPREVE®, the world's number one brand in high quality recycled fibres. Made from 100% recycled materials, our REPREVE® polyester is comprised of post-consumer plastic bottles, diverted from landfill and our oceans. Our REPREVE® nylon is created from waste developed during the manufacturing process, like fabric scraps or yarn waste from weaving mills and spinning factories. Preserving the environment one swimsuit at a time, the making of REPREVE® has recycled over 30 billion plastic bottles from polluting our planet.
The Amaya Collection is made from both REPREVE® Polyester and Nylon. Find out more here.
"As a brand born out of the sunshine state, we’ve grown up surrounded by beautiful beaches - so it’s important to us to protect them. This collection is an important part of our sustainability journey and only the beginning of what you’ll see from us." Owner & Director, Lucy Henry-Hicks.
We will continue to explore new impact-free materials and look forward to creating beautiful pieces you can look good and feel good in.
PACKAGING
We have phased out all single use plastic packaging across our global online and in store boutiques. Your online order will arrive to you in our new POLLAST!CTM mailers.
These mailers are made from 100% ocean bound plastic pollution rescued from coastal communities in Southeast Asia. Our mailers are sourced from Better Packaging, a carbon-free Certified B Corporation.
Please reuse your POLLAST!CTM bag and then recycle it with your soft plastics and other plastics. We have also removed all unnecessary branded packaging from inside your parcel, with all garments sealed in a recycled plastic bag.
STORES
Our stores are also undertaking big changes, with all new boutique bags made from 80% recycled paper. We have also phased out paper receipts for orders in store, allowing customers to receive these digitally.
We are excited to announce we recently rolled out Arch & Hook BLUE® Hangers across our store network. These hangers are made from a mixture of 100% upcycled ocean bound plastic and recycled post-consumer plastic, harvested predominately from the four most polluting rivers in the ocean.
At the end of their lifespan, Arch & Hook hangers can be collected and remade into hangers, over and over; helping us create a more sustainable future for fashion. Keep an eye out on your next visit into a DISSH store, where you’ll see our pieces hanging on Arch & Hook BLUE® Hangers.
Our previous hangers were donated to Women’s Legal Service Queensland – an amazing non-profit who provide free legal help for women in Queensland with domestic violence, complex family law, and sexual assault cases. WLSQ runs fundraising events where they sell pre-loved clothing, to help raise money for women and children in need. The hangers will be used across their events, helping keep costs down and therefore ensuring more funds are raised to support those in need.
Lastly, we’ve drastically reduced in store signage to minimise waste, and instead ensure we communicate our offers and services through our customer service.
SUPPORTING WOMEN
DISSH is a proud partner of Suited To Success. Suited to Success is a not-for-profit community organisation that helps people overcome barriers to employment. It has been an incredibly challenging time for the charity and the people they support. Our contributions help assist women in Australia become independent, by empowering them with the practical tools, support, and confidence they need for job seeking. As a business owned and run by women, we are so passionate about supporting their work.
To date we have donated over $50,000 of stock to support their women’s fundraising events and styling services. We also created and launched a 100% cotton tote bag with all profits donated to Suited To Success. To date we have donated over $10,000 from these tote bags. The CEO of Suited to Success, Tamara Smith thanks you for your support and for "inspiring hope and self-belief for brighter futures."
We are also so excited and proud to have been a part of pioneering an innovative employment program, The Encoreship. The Encoreship provides employment and upskilling for women who are facing challenges re-entering the workforce after an extended period away from work – no matter the reason.
2020 was a difficult year for many. When it comes to workplace participation, emerging data suggests women have been disproportionately affected as a result of COVID, with 61% of job losses in Australia experienced by women. Around half of the women who found themselves out of work, have dropped out of the workplace completely due to a myriad of reasons.
This program is a 3-month paid placement at DISSH, designed to upskill, build confidence, create connections and set women up for their future aspirations. We have just filled our 2022 position. Read more about our new Encorer Lisa and her journey here.
CIRCULARITY
In October 2021, we announced our partnership with Thread Together, donating and redistributing any out-of-season stock to communities in need, including: the homeless, youth at risk, Indigenous communities, survivors of domestic violence, refugees, long term unemployed, and those impacted by natural disasters. The Thread Together team works diligently to deliver a tailored service to each person, whilst cementing itself as an effective solution for the textile waste problem in Australia.
As DISSH expands into new markets we recognise our place in an industry which has a huge impact on the planet. With this in mind, we’re focused on implementing sustainable systems and practices to reduce our footprint and serve our conscious customers in a way that’s meaningful to us.
In celebration of our partnership with Thread Together, we are giving you the opportunity to support this incredible organisation for the month of December. Shop with purpose and on checkout show your support by adding a one-off $2 Thread Together donation to your cart.
Work alongside us in raising funds to support Thread Together in their mission of driving important social and environmental change.
Find out more about Thread Together and our partnership here.
PRODUCTION
Things have slowed down around here. We're releasing smaller collections, created to be worn time and time again, for years to come. Designed by our team in Australia and created in China with high quality standards in materials and production, our pieces are made with longevity top of mind.
To avoid waste, stock is not ordered in mass quantities. We start with smaller orders to trial styles, before ordering larger quantities to suit our customer demand and avoid over-production and waste.
PRINTING AND PAPER
We have significantly reduced printing in our Head Office, EBoutique and stores. We no longer print seasonal campaign imagery across any stores. We're also excited to announce that we have just launched our online returns portal. On top of being a more seamless experience for the customer, it also reduces print material from our orders. Gift cards are now all digital, removing this printing and plastic material completely from the business.
