The Social Outfit is a trading social enterprise that taps into the creative skills of refugees and new migrants, to provide education, training and employment opportunities in the fashion industry.

For the first time Australians nationwide can support The Social Outfit. A local favourite in Newtown, The Social Outfit has joined ING Direct’s Dreamstarter to raise funds to extend its employment and training programs.

Since 26 June 2014, The Social Outfit has been providing employment and training in clothing production, retail, design and marketing to people from refugee and new migrant communities. The Newtown shop-front sells clothes that are made on site, where sewing technicians share their workspace with sewing school students.

Want to see some of the beautiful work by The Social Outfit? (Post continues after gallery.)

The Social Outfit

"Autumn Suit Styling..."

"As dusk comes, it's a great time for silk layering; just for that #touch of warmth and style... "

"Thanks for visiting today, Andie and Tashie from @seafollyaustralia! Seafolly support our work with generous fabric donations of quality"

"Men's Tees! We've sampled, and started production on our #GreyMarleCrewNeckTees"

"Well, in this photo Esther who works with us made Jackie's dress and leggings, and she also made her own dress."

Designer: Eloise Rapp. "She is a talented designer with an incredible eye for colour, a passionate advocate of sustainable fashion and a dynamic small business owner. You can meet Eloise and ask her anything (well, almost anything) as one of our #Dreamstarter rewards. Get your ticket at goo.gl/mDMXf0. "

"It's almost showtime! This is Oboya backstage at our very first fashion show in November 2012. He's making a return for our first birthday party on 22 July 2015. Get your tickets at #dreamstarter #makingmoreforgood"

"This is a print by Burmese-Karen women in collaboration with Eloise Rapp. The blue represents peace and royalty, chosen to signify communities joining together. The design honours the traditional weaving and embroidery of the Karen people. Get it now from our #dreamstarter campaign"

"More good times from November 2012. Love celebrating and showcasing the incredible talents of our community! Don't miss our next show 22 July 2015. Tickets at #Dreamstarter. #makingmoreforgood"

CEO Jackie Ruddock says, “We believe fashion and creativity can lead to learning and empowerment for new migrant and refugee communities. One of my biggest highlights so far has been to see the workmanship and talent required in making clothing. I can’t sew properly myself, so when you see the skill that is required to make quality clothing I think it means an increased respect for the clothing itself. These skills are so worthy of being seen, and shared. Regular customers love knowing who made their garments. ”

The Social Outfit, CEO, Jackie Ruddock.

The Social Outfit has had the growing pains typical of a young fashion business. But it’s the measure of community impact that matters most. The organisation has philanthropic support but is determined to grow its self-generated income. This means selling more clothes and employing more refugees and new migrants. ING Dreamstarter is an opportunity to do this by raising funds and increasing awareness.

For Dreamstarter, The Social Outfit is offering garments with an exclusive print design by Eloise Rapp. Eloise Rapp is a talented Sydney-based textile designer whose scarf label, featured on The Design Files, is stocked in select boutiques in Australia and the US. Eloise is also collaborating with the local Burmese-Karen community to create a second print design for the campaign. This is the first time that clothes from The Social Outfit will be available for delivery across Australia.

Everything you need to know about The Social Outfit. All here. (Post continues after video.) 

Eloise says, “The Social Outfit represents a new model of social enterprise where you start with skills-based learning and that translates into employment. The result is beautiful products. The Social Outfit has full control of their production and sales because everything is under one roof which makes it a great sustainable model. I think that a lot of independent fashion and creative labels can really learn from that.”

Funds from the ING Dreamstarter crowdfunding campaign will create community print designs. Community prints are such a unique way for people to tell their stories via art, and share their creative traditions more broadly. This is a positive opportunity to create belonging through fashion and design. Plus, we’re working on computers, so people are slowly building up technology skills too. In the end, the customer purchases a high-quality garment with a print that’s exclusive to us, and they can share the stories too of how the work develops. And telling stories about the clothing we wear is fun!

Are you going to support The Social Outfit? If you are a part of a charitable organisation and would like to be featured on MM, just drop us a note at mamamiacares@mamamia.com.au.