Metta Melbourne is an Australian linen womenswear label, based in Footscray, inside the the historic 'Docklands Cotton Mills', built in 1875. This location was once a cotton spinning factory owed by Bradford Cotton. Since that time the Cotton Mills was divided up in the early 2000's to become a creative hub of designers and small businesses and now we are proud to call this incredible space in Footscray along the Maribrynong River home.
Designed with consideration, Metta strives to create garments that are trans-seasonal, easy to wear and made using only ethical natural fibre fabrics. It's about pieces you want to touch, & pieces you want to wear everyday.
After years in the clothing & textile industry, we wanted to create beautiful, comfortable, & easy to wear ranges that can be worn year in, year out & mended when worn out. The majority of the collection can be styled for day & night, summer & winter. This creates a smaller wardrobe that works twice as hard, looks amazing layered together & is perfect for travel.
Behind the Clothing
Working with only small batch manufacturers locally, in Lithuania and India, we are not about mass consumption or production.Our
OEKO-TEX certified linen garments are woven, cut and sewn with our manufacturers in Lithuania. This means the source of our fiber is grown and processed close to the linen belt in Europe, where the fibre is grown. This area encompasses France, Belgium & Italy.
Our design process begins right here in Melbourne where we work with our trusted team of experts in their field to develop our patterns from concept to final sample.
Approximately a third of our range is also made right here in Melbourne with a small family run manufacturer who we work closely with to support and nurture their business.
Our silk and cotton pieces are manufactured in India where this fiber is grown and woven and we opt for organic cotton and hand loomed silks. Our Indian manufacturers are small scale, hand screen print and also specialise in weaving and lace knitting.
All of our garments from India are dyed locally in Melbourne.
When possible we visit our manufacturers once a year and only work with suppliers who allow small minimum orders, have fair trade practises and working conditions and use fabrics and dyes that don't harm the earth.
All of our over-dyed garments are dyed in Melbourne in one of the last remaining dye houses located just a short 10 minute drive from our studio. They use eco friendly dyes and recycled water to over-dye all our garments.
All of our over-dyed garments are dyed in Melbourne in one of the last remaining dye houses located just a short 10 minute drive from our studio. They use eco friendly dyes and recycled water to over-dye all our garments.
We strongly believe in creating as little waste as possible in the making of our garments. Our Lithuania partners have paired with a co-op that distributes what little off cuts they produced to women's groups who then use these to create items they can on-sell. Locally we take back all of our off cuts to make items such as tea towels, napkins, coasters, bags and anything else we can imagine.
Imperfect items are repaired as best we can and offered at a cheaper price so they can be loved for longer and kept out of landfill.
All of our garments are also constructed using cotton thread; this means that we can garment dye. It also means you can dye over your garment if it becomes stained or fades over time.
We aim to design pieces that will stand the test of time however, we change, in our bodies and in taste, therefore we suggest when you no longer want your Metta garment, give it to a friend, donate it to one of the many second hand stores in your town or if it doesn't have much life in it left our garments are fully compostable (please cut off and save any garments buttons for re-use if you choose to compost your garment).
We strongly encourage everyone to learn simple darning techniques so you can repair your pieces to give them new life.
If you would like to know more about us please email us at info@mettamelbourne.com.au