This year’s theme for International Women's day is 'Balancing the scales' It invites us to reflect on how the decisions we make today shape the future we are working towards.
As we move towards a circular clothing industry in Australia, choices matter. From the way garments are designed and produced, to how they are bought, worn, and recirculated, the actions taken today will determine the future of our clothing. Achieving meaningful progress requires balancing immediate priorities with long-term thinking, considering not only what works now, but what will support a more responsible and circular industry for years to come.
Seamless CEO Ainsley Simpson reflects on the role influence plays in shaping that future: “Balancing the scales begins with the influence we hold, personally, in business, and across the systems we shape. Scale extends beyond roles and lifespans to decisions that create a good today and a better future. Real progress is responsibility and risk moving forward together.”
We’re proud to work alongside organisations and individuals committed to creating positive change. This International Women’s Day, we asked some of our Seamless members and supporters:
How do you balance the choices you make today with the future you want to create?
Victoria Bliss,
Founder, Victoria Bliss
“For me, balancing the choices I make today with the future I want to create begins with intention.
At Victoria Bliss, every piece is designed with wearability and longevity in mind. I work closely with highly skilled pattern makers to refine the fit of each garment, because when clothing fits beautifully it empowers the woman wearing it. Pieces that feel good to wear are far more likely to be worn, loved and kept for years.
We also give great consideration to the textiles we choose, but for us sustainability is not only about fabrication, it’s about designing clothing with purpose, quality and lasting appeal. Victoria Bliss celebrates the intricacies of womanhood, and I want the pieces we create to support and empower the women who wear them. My goal is to design garments that transcend seasons, pieces that can be cherished and passed down to future generations.
Becoming a mother has deepened that perspective. I want to build a fashion brand that celebrates the women of today while contributing to a better future for the next generation.”
Olivia Mangan,
CEO and Co-Founder, Goodbyes
“Over the 10 years I’ve been building this business, I’ve made plenty of wrong choices. A lot of personal growth has come from those mistakes, but I’ve also experienced how certain decisions can gradually lead you away from the future you’re trying to build.
What helps me stay on track is having a clear, detailed vision of the future and establishing habits and practices that continually reinforce that vision. It sounds simple, but it’s easier said than done.
We bootstrapped Goodbyes, meaning we had very few resources to invest in external expertise or support. In those early years, my time and energy built the business. Now I’m realising how important it is to protect those things so I can stay focused on the bigger picture and make better decisions.
That means letting others take control, accepting failure, dropping lower-impact tasks, and looking after myself both mentally and physically. Running a small business is very personal, and balance is something I’m constantly working on.”
Shaping a better future for Australia’s clothing system
Across Australia’s clothing industry, we all have a critical role to play in shaping a more responsible and circular future. From design and retail to resale and remanufacturing, the choices made today help lay the foundations for the industry we want to see tomorrow.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who are thoughtfully balancing those choices, and contributing to a clothing system that works better for our industry, all Australians and nature.
