Celebrating Success: The Social Outfit Wins Gold at the Banksia Awards
Celebrating Success: The Social Outfit Wins Gold at the Banksia Awards
We're thrilled to announce that The Social Outfit has won this year's prestigious Gold National Banksia Sustainability Award! This remarkable achievement was accompanied by another significant win: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. These recognitions were received at the 35th National Banksia Sustainability Awards, where we celebrated alongside other environmental and social sustainability champions across various sectors.
Our mission at The Social Outfit has always encompassed two key objectives: to empower migrant and refugee women by kick-starting their Australian careers and to reduce textile waste. Winning these awards is not just a recognition of our efforts but also a validation of the impact we're making in the realm of sustainability and social inclusion.
Pictured: Marzia, Najia and Camilla.
Prefacing this was the first year a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award winner had taken out the top Gold Banksia award, Graz van Egmond, the CEO of Banksia Foundation, highlighted the significance of our win, stating, "It’s an important milestone for our awards. We often think about sustainability through a purely environmental lens, but social sustainability is also critical. The Social Outfit’s work delivers both environmental and social sustainability, and our judges couldn’t look past it."
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns; it encompasses fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the fashion industry. By providing opportunities for migrant and refugee women, we're creating a more inclusive workforce and contributing to our community's social fabric.
The judges commended the tangible impacts of our work across a range of Sustainable Development Goals, recognising us as a model for other organisations aiming to create broad social and sectoral impact. This acknowledgment is a testament to the dedication of our team and the resilience of the women we support.
We are humbled to be recognised alongside other finalists from the apparel and textiles sector, including Bared Footwear and Underwear for Humanity, who were also celebrated for their social impact. These results underscore the transformative potential of the fashion industry when approached with a commitment to social responsibility.
The 2024 National Banksia Sustainability Awards showcased a diverse array of winners from sectors such as travel, agriculture, infrastructure, banking, conservation, and emergency services. This demonstrates the collective effort across the Australian economy to champion sustainability and social impact. As van Egmond rightly observed, "It’s fantastic to see so many organisations – both big and small – from across the Australian economy be recognised as true champions of sustainability and social impact."
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to advancing sustainable development and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. We extend our gratitude to Banksia Foundation, the judges and the sponsors for this honor and to our community for their unwavering support. Together, we will continue to strive towards a more sustainable and socially conscious future.
Join us in celebrating this achievement and supporting our mission to make a positive impact through fashion and inclusion
