Who Made My Clothes? Meet the Makers Behind OBUS

  FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK  

Each OBUS garment begins with a sketch, a spark—and is brought to life by the steady hands and deep knowledge of our local makers. This Fashion Revolution Week, we’re honouring the people behind the process. The machinists, cutters, makers and denim specialists who turn fabric into favourites.

In this special edition of our Travelogue, we invite you into the studios of two longtime OBUS partners: Lucy, who has been creating garments with us for over a decade, and Tony, our denim specialist, who has crafted every pair of OBUS jeans for the past five years alongside his small but mighty team of three.


Denim’s not just fabric—it’s a force. You’ve got to understand it to work with it. And Tony is our guy! 

Solely working with denim — it’s a craft that teaches you patience. It’s thick, stubborn, and every roll handles differently. One day it behaves, the next day it’s got an attitude.

Tony’s small team handles every OBUS denim piece from start to finish. That means cutting, stitching, pressing, finishing. It’s not fast work. A single pair of jeans might pass through ten different machines, each one requiring precision. Heavy-duty needlework. Flat-felled seams. Bar tacking for strength. Every detail matters.

Working with Tony’s team has been a real partnership. We both care equally in the end product. We’ve been collaborating for five years now, and every piece made is designed to last—not just in terms of quality, but in how it fits into your life.

There’s satisfaction in seeing something well-made walk in the door. You don’t forget the feel of fabric your team has spent hours shaping. And whether people realise it or not—they feel it too, when they put it on.


  CRAFTED CLOSE TO HOME  

Lucy shared what it means to make fashion that’s thoughtful, local, and built to last. What follows is a love letter to slow fashion—and the people who keep it alive.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your business, and your team.
I’ve been in a sewing room for as long as I can remember. My father originally started the business in Argentina where he was a tailor for the President. When he and my mother migrated to Australia, he set up shop here in Victoria. So the business is a family one that my brother and I have continued to operate with our very small team.

2. What are some of the biggest challenges or misconceptions you face as a maker in the Australian fashion industry—and how can shoppers better support local production?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that “made local” means “made easy.” People often assume that because we’re not shipping things from overseas, it should be cheaper or simpler—but it’s actually the opposite. Local manufacturing is slower, more considered, and deeply personal. Every piece we make is touched by a small team who are constantly juggling rising material costs, living wages, and tight timelines.

The best way shoppers can support us? Ask questions. Get curious about where your clothes come from. Choose quality over quantity. And when you find a brand like OBUS that’s committed to local production—shout about it! Wear it proudly and tell your mates.

3. This week encourages consumers to look deeper into their wardrobes. If OBUS lovers could know one thing about the hands and heart behind their garments, what would you want them to take away?
We don’t just make clothes—we build relationships. With fabric. With fit. With the feeling we hope you get when you slip it on. Every seam, every tuck, every press is done with care because we know that what we’re making might become someone’s favourite piece, or their go-to on a day when they need a boost. We’re not machines—we’re makers. And we care deeply about what ends up in your wardrobe.


4. Can you describe a piece you’ve made for OBUS that you’re especially proud of? What made it memorable or meaningful to you as a maker?
The Reverence Wool Coat—that one felt special. So many components have to come together just right: the lining, the structure, the fall of the fabric, the finishing details.

I remember holding it up after the final touches and thinking, this is going to last. It’s a piece that could be passed down. Classic with a bit of OBUS personality, and made to walk through many winters.

5. What excites you most about the future of local fashion and manufacturing? Are you seeing any shifts in how brands or consumers are thinking and behaving?
There’s a growing hunger for connection—people don’t just want fast fashion anymore; they want story. They want to know the who, the how, the why behind their clothes.

Brands like OBUS are leading that shift by choosing transparency, sustainability, and craftsmanship. And I see younger consumers especially moving away from mass-produced trends and towards pieces that have meaning and longevity.

What excites me most? That slow fashion is becoming cool. That we’re reclaiming skills that were almost lost. That there’s a future where the people who make your clothes might just be your neighbours.

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  THREADS THAT TIE US TOGETHER  

When you wear OBUS, you’re wearing the work of real people. People who’ve spent decades perfecting their craft. People who care about quality, sustainability, and making something that lasts longer than a season.

Lucy and Tony aren’t just our makers—they’re part of our story. And in every hem, every seam, and every sturdy pocket, you’ll find their quiet dedication stitched in.

So next time you slip into your favourite OBUS piece, take a moment to ask: Who made my clothes?
Because now—you know.

 

April 22, 2025
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