Lessons in Love (and Business): Ethical Clothing Australia-accredited labels share what their mums taught them

What did your mum teach you? For some, it may have been to lead with kindness, treat people the way you want to be treated, and always wear nice undies in case of an unexpected bus. (Thanks, mum!) For others, perhaps the lesson that stayed was practical yet profound: how to sew a button back on, transplant Bearded Irises successfully, or say ‘no’ without feeling guilty.

We put that question – ‘What’s a lesson your mum (or a mother figure) taught you, and how do you carry that lesson through life and business?’ – to a handful of the brands featured in Ethical Clothing Australia’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide this year. As it turns out, the lessons their mums taught them are the same values running through their businesses. Treating people with kindness. Creating with intention and sustainability at heart. Doing your best.

That’s what Ethical Clothing Australia’s accreditation is all about, too. Every brand in their Mother’s Day Gift Guide has been independently verified to ensure the people making their products are paid fairly and working in safe conditions under Australian labour laws. So when you pick a special gift from this guide to spoil your mum, or Nanna, or the motherly person who’s just always been there for you, it comes with a story worth celebrating.

Here are some of those stories, in their own words.

Assembled Threads

“My mum passed away from ovarian cancer about 10 years ago and it still feels like yesterday – no one will ever love you as much and as hard as your mum, huh! My mum was my biggest fan – and luckily I got to tell her I was hers, that she was the most important person in my life – always was always will be – just hours before she died. So the most important thing she taught me was very simple: the importance of kindness. And to always treat everyone with kindness. She took great joy in people – always had a big smile on her face and I carry that with me always.” – Edwina Walsh, CEO, Assembled Threads

This Melbourne/Naarm-based social enterprise was founded to tackle long-term unemployment among disadvantaged groups, specifically refugee, asylum seeker and migrant women rebuilding their lives in a new country. Assembled Threads offer hands-on training and employment in garment manufacturing, at an ethical wage. Their impact speaks for itself: 759kg of textiles diverted from landfill, 40 qualifications gained in skills and capabilities, and a workforce that is 90% women. Their Impact Shop sells high-fashion hi-vis vests, fun Aussie print medical scrubs and more, all made locally using recycled and Australian-made fabrics – and every single purchase means something. Oh, and their matching mother-daughter apron set is a sweet Mother’s Day gift – check out their Mother’s Day collection here!

Apawrel

“I am blessed by the teachings of both my late mother and grandmother. It was difficult to pinpoint just one teaching; from acting with kindness, to doing things right the first time and the practical skills of sewing. The life lessons from the two influential women in my life have shaped so much of how I approach the world, and business.

First, a little background: My mother emigrated from The Netherlands when she was six years old. She and my grandmother would sing a Dutch nursery rhyme called ‘Damespaardjes’ to my brother and me. It was a simple rhyme about the speed of horses. First, ‘een damespaard (the lady’s horse), then ‘een herenpaard’ (gentleman’s horse), then ‘een boerenknol’ (the farmer’s horse). The literal translation of boerenknol is a turnip! They would place my brother and me on their knees as children and bounce us up and down, faster for each horse until we giggled. While the language was literally caned out of my mother through her formative years at school in Australia, as I got older, she would remind me about the farmer’s horse – stopping to smell the roses so to speak.

Growing up, my mum would often say, “Niet alles hoeft een boerenknol”: not everything has to be a farmer’s horse (done at a gallop). It’s a gentle reminder that slowing down lets us savour what really matters, a lesson I see reflected every day in the quiet wisdom of our dogs, who never rush a moment worth enjoying. At Apawrel, this philosophy guides everything we do: we mindfully source materials that would otherwise go to landfill, and we create our pieces with intention rather than urgency. Mum’s lesson has become an everyday practice, to pause, be present, and lead with care. It’s at the heart of Apawrel’s journey, shaping not just how we make things, but how we live and love. Because, just as mum (and our pups) taught me, the best things happen when we slow down and give ourselves time to sniff things out properly.” – Candace Maunder, Founder & MD, Apawrel

If your mum’s best friend happens to have four legs, Apawrel has you sorted! This Melbourne/Naarm-based fashion label for dogs and their humans is every bit as joyful as it sounds. The brand creates limited-edition accessories and custom dog wear using repurposed materials: think ‘waste’ fabrics (doona covers, old shirts, thrifted treasures…) either rescued from landfill, and then reimagined into something your pup will want to strut its stuff in. Circular economy principles sit at the heart of everything they do: rescuing waste, rethinking its potential, and turning it into pieces full of personality.

Wilderness Wear

“My mum always said, ‘If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.’ That’s stuck with me. It shows up in how we design, how we manufacture, and how we treat our customers. At Wilderness Wear, we’re not interested in throwaway products – we’re here to create gear people can rely on, year after year.” – Anna Stiles, Wilderness Wear

If your mum’s at her happiest with mud on her boots and fresh air in her lungs, Wilderness Wear’s got your Mother’s Day gifting covered. This locally made label specialises in Merino wool socks and clothing, from base layers and activewear to compression and accessories, all crafted from their own Wilderness Wool™, sourced from select Merino sheep growers in Tasmania who have been selectively breeding their flocks for generations. That’s about as close to paddock-to-wardrobe as it gets. The wool itself is durable, lightweight, and soft against the skin, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.

Koalabi Australia

“A lesson that has always stayed with us is to take pride in what you create and never compromise on quality. It’s a philosophy that guides every step of our process, from design through to the finished product. We believe true craftsmanship lies in the details – from carefully chosen materials to the precision of every stitch. This is reflected in our commitment to using premium materials and supporting local Australian manufacturing. By doing so, we help preserve skilled craftsmanship while creating products that are made to last. For us, it’s about creating with purpose – pieces our customers can trust and enjoy for years to come.” – Kylie Kniese, Koalabi

Take it from someone who knows: few things say ‘I love you’ quite like the gift of warm, happy feet! Koalabi’s locally made collection is handcrafted in Melbourne/Naarm by Binder Enterprise, a second-generation family manufacturer that’s been cutting, stitching and finishing sheepskin boots right here in Australia since 1989. That last part matters more than you might think: plenty of brands slap ‘Australian Sheepskin’ on products made in overseas factories, but Koalabi is the real deal, made locally from genuine A-grade double-faced sheepskin with dense, plush wool pile.

SisterWorks

“Many of the women employed through SisterWorks are mothers, balancing care, resilience, and the drive to build a better future for their families. We reflect that collective strength by creating paid employment where women are valued for their skills, earn an income, and build confidence through meaningful work. Every product is made locally under ethical conditions and contributes to a future where women can thrive through work.” – Dani Mannens, Marketing Manager, SisterWorks

Searching for something unique with plenty of heart? A gift from SisterWorks is it. This not-for-profit social enterprise has been empowering women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds since 2011, starting with a group of 25 women finding community and purpose through shared work, and growing into a movement that has supported more than 3,500 women from 105 countries. Every purchase from their online shop goes directly towards that mission, and the shop itself is a joy to browse. Keep an eye out for these handy Reusable Eco Friend Face Wipes made from three layers of soft premium muslin, cotton bamboo, and beautiful cotton prints that mum can slip in her handbag, or these cute, washable, planet-friendly bread bags just perfect to carry a freshly baked loaf. Each SisterWorks gift is a showcase for the creativity and cultural heritage of the woman who made it.

♡ This is a Better Together Peppermint Partnership, where we team up with brands we love. This story was created with support from our friends at Ethical Clothing Australia. Head to their site to check out their 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide!