Tessellate: A Patchwork Collection

Tessellate is a story of community, creativity and reinvention.

Designed in collaboration with Post Hunk, this collection explores bold design and considered craftsmanship, through the repurposing of donated fabrics from industry partners including Alémais.

“It's paid work for refugee and migrant women, it's circular design in practice, it's Australian made and designed, and it's a chance for our customers to wear something that is really special.” - Amy Low, CEO of The Social Outfit

"At Alémais, we believe fashion has the power to create meaningful impact. The Social Outfit’s work empowering refugee and new migrant women is a powerful example of this. We're proud to support them." Lesleigh Jermanus, Co-founder and Creative Director, Alémais

What does Tessellate mean?

Tessellate means to fit individual shapes together perfectly, without gaps or overlaps, to form a whole. 

For The Social Outfit, tessellation speaks to something deeper: the coming together of stories, cultures and hands. Each piece represents connection - between fabrics, between makers, and between communities. 

"Spending time inside The Social Outfit's studio reminded me that fashion can be tender, generous, and quietly radical. Every garment passes through many skilled hands, stories, languages and laughs. Thoughtful cutting, careful saving, sharing skills and creating community led work for refugee women building new lives in Sydney. I feel very lucky to have been welcomed." - Kirsty Barros, Post Hunk 

Photos: Taken in our Marrickville workroom showing elements of the production process. 

Tessellate embodies everything The Social Outfit stands for, each item is thoughtfully designed, spliced, and sewn together by refugee and migrant women in Marrickville. For Tessellate, the workroom team developed complex patterns, carefully determined material placement and refined fabric splicing techniques - strengthening both their technical garment construction skills and confidence.

For cutter Lilyrose, “The patternmaking was a complicated puzzle, putting all the pieces together to make something beautiful.”

Photo: Lilyrose choosing fabric placement. 

The editorial photoshoot reflected this same spirit of opportunity and growth. Cynthia, a recent retail graduate from The Social outfit and an aspiring stylist, joined us as a styling assistant for the day - an opportunity to meet, observe, take part in and connect with industry professionals on set.

Photos: Behind the Scenes, on set with The Social Outfit team.

Photo: Model Tina wearing Wrap Skirt - Mixed Print and Long Sleeve Shirt - White Broderie. 

The Tessellate patchwork brings together a vibrant tapestry of donated fabrics, rich in colour, texture and narrative. Contrasting panels reflect both individuality and connection - honouring the diverse hands, histories and techniques behind each motif.

No two pieces are the same.

“Knowing that your garment has had time and love poured into even the selection of the fabrics and then knowing that no two pieces are the same - it reminds you that everything is made by hand and is laboured over with love, and completely unique. So, I think that the idea of individuality is luxury itself.” - Kirsty Barros, Post Hunk

Community Launch Event