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A white handmade puff sleeve dress hanging on a clothes hanger by Kalaurie.
10 Nov
A white handmade puff sleeve dress hanging on a clothes hanger by Kalaurie.

Have a Long-Term Love Affair With Your Clothing by Kalaurie

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“Great” Australian brand Kalaurie creates “beautiful things, handcrafted to last” in seasonless capsule collections, according to its founder. Here’s how the brand rates for the planet, people, and animals.

Designed to be treasured for a lifetime

For Melbourne-based fashion designer Kalaurie Karl-Crooks, the art of clothesmaking is rooted in thoughtful consideration. Since finishing her studies in fashion design in 2016, Karl-Crooks has been doing what she loves: pairing people with her timeless, made-to-order garments that she hopes they will wear for many years to come. Meet her eponymous label, Kalaurie.

Kalaurie believes clothing should last a lifetime and it's important to us that you create a long-term love affair with your clothing, which transcends trend and season.

Let’s take a close look at how Kalaurie rates for the planet, people, and animals in our methodology.

Planet: the nature of attention

Kalaurie is “Great” for the planet thanks to its use of lower-impact fabrics, made-to-order approach, and penchant for local manufacturing.

The brand’s collections predominantly use deadstock fabrics and trims, focussing on biodegradable materials made from renewable resources, from cotton and linen to wool and silk. By crafting each garment only once an order is placed, Kalaurie greatly reduces the waste associated with overproduction. The garments are typically available in sizes 2XS-2XL, and the brand is happy to help advise on sizing if you email them the style you’re interested in along with your measurements in centimetres.

Each piece is lovingly handcrafted and unique to you, Karl-Crooks tells us. “Every garment has a destination with purpose,” she says. “All pieces are ethically made in my Melbourne atelier. Making slowly allows me to be resourceful with materials and eliminates a lot of waste, especially on the cutting room floor.”

Kalaurie founder working on a black and white handmade dress in the brand's Melbourne atelier.

People: in-house production

Also getting our top score of “Great” for workers, Kalaurie embodies the benefits of a small business, felt by all those who work for—and support—the brand. Garments are handcrafted by the founder herself and a small team locally in Melbourne, and with each piece made-to-order with a 7-21 day turnaround, there is no doubt about the care and attention to detail that goes into each stitch.

“We use traditional techniques and fine finishing to ensure longevity and quality,” Karl-Crooks tells us. “I also offer a repair and alteration service for Australian customers to ensure they get the perfect fit and have a long-term love affair with their pieces.” If you’re based in the UK, a platform like The Seam can help pair you with specialist Makers for alterations and repairs—otherwise, reach out to your local tailor.

By manufacturing locally and sourcing as many materials from Australia as possible—from swing tags to packaging and fabrics—Kalaurie can also ensure responsible production standards are in place across the supply chain, all while supporting local businesses.

Animals: precious fibres, repurposed

While Kalaurie may not be entirely animal-free—earning it a “Good” score for animal welfare—it only uses deadstock animal-derived fabrics, including wool and silk. This practice extends the life of precious resources and allows customers to enjoy the benefits of these materials without directly contributing to new production.

Overall rating: Great

Overall, we’re happy to award Kalaurie our highest score of “Great” for its commendable efforts for people, the planet, and animals in production. Kalaurie is the perfect example of a small, sustainably-minded business worth your support. If you were to wear any one of the brand’s precious pieces, you’d help to promote traditional craftsmanship and contribute to the local fashion community in Australia.

Any customers visiting Melbourne are welcome to visit the brand’s new atelier and showroom by appointment to meet the designer, view samples and fabrics, receive a professional fitting consultation, and see where the clothes are made firsthand.

See the rating.

Shop Kalaurie.

Our 4 favourites from Kalaurie’s Signature collection

“Things of quality have no fear of time” is the premise behind Kalaurie’s Signature collection. It comprises a range of classic pieces for your everyday wardrobe, including great shirts, trousers, and other signature Kalaurie pieces. This renewed archival collection “embodies both beauty and practicality, with each piece designed to cater to your everyday environments, from the home to the workplace and beyond.”

Backwards Forwards Dress

A black and white dress with the colour split vertically down the middle by Kalaurie.

The famous Backwards Forwards Dress is a statement contrast panelled dress featuring v-necklines with back ties and fitted waist pleats which flow into a voluminous silhouette and an invisible side zipper opening. The dress is made from a linen and rayon blend.

Lovers Top | Black

A cropped black puff sleeve top handmade by Kalaurie.

The Lovers Top is a loose-fitting cropped blouse featuring romantic puffy sleeves, front adjustable gathered tie detail, and a bound neckline.

Lovers Top | White

A cropped white puff sleeve top handmade by Kalaurie.

For a softer look, go for the Lovers Top in white. As with the black version, it is made from 100% deadstock cotton.

Greta Trouser | Stripe

Black striped tailored trousers responsibly made by Kalaurie.

The Greta Trouser is a double-pleated, high-waisted, soft-tailored trouser. Featuring a classic tailored cut with a fitted waist and tapered leg, Greta is made from 98% deadstock cotton with 2% elastane for comfort.

Kalaurie

Rated: Great

Stunning designs, beautifully made, to the highest standards—Kalaurie is one of those labels that gives you a rush of excitement when you first find it. This is a Melbourne, Australia brand that makes capsule collections, with an emphasis on signature shirt tailoring. There are many reasons to love Kalaurie, and it rates highly in all three categories.

The pieces are available in 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Kalaurie.

Editor's note

All images courtesy of Kalaurie. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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