As International Women's Day (IWD) approaches for another year, why not celebrate yourself and the women in your life by purchasing from one of the female founded brands originating from home? Australia is home to many talented women spanning varying mediums, from artistry to technology and science to literature and filmmaking. Female founded brands continue to crop up as women engage in their entrepreneurial side and see their musings come to fruition. As a handy starting point, we've rounded up 25 of the best female founded brands across fashion, accessories and skin care to help you celebrate this IWD.
Mimmi Terra
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Mimmi Terra is a female-founded brand from the east coast. Each tote bag is sustainable and practical with a commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. Recycled plastic puree is used to create these durable, woven pieces to fit whatever you need throughout the day. They are also lightweight and water-resistant and built to last.
Ultra Violette
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Born from a desire to create the perfect sunscreen, Ultra Violette has a place in all of our hearts. Founders Ava Chandler-Matthews and Bec Jefferd look to innovations in suncare to ensure all of our faces are glowing while remaining SPF safe.
SŚAINT
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Created by two friends, SŚAINT constructs deeply emotive, carefully considered fragrances that ignite the senses. Each fragrance offers something different, a unique character to embody as you wear it. An ode to experience, aspirations and olfactory memories.
Viktoria and Woods
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Launched in 2004 by Margie Woods, her eponymous label is designed for the woman who wears paired-back basics without compromising style. Pieces are eloquently refined, subtly tapping into trending silhouettes but remaining true to a timeless aesthetic.
SIR the Label
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Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote’s label is the epitome of refined, contemporary clothing swathed in versatility. SIR the Label was launched in response to a gap in the market for minimalistic wardrobe staples, capturing the spirit of Australian lifestyles.
Form and Fold
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Stephanie Korn and Carly Warson had a dream to create swimwear for women with small backs and generous busts that didn’t have to be emblazoned with frills and floral motifs. Five years since launching, the brand continues to craft minimalistic swimwear made to last and promote body diversity in campaigns.
Alpha H
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Skincare brand Alpha H was founded by the late Michelle Doherty. After a 14 year fight with chronic acne, Doherty was inspired to take matters into her own hands, with Alpha H now stocked in Mecca, Sephora and across the globe as a cult beauty brand helping many achieve happiness with their skin.
Jillian Boustred
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Based out of Chippendale in New South Wales, independent designer Jillian Boustred is known for her quintessentially feminine garments including billowing dresses, trousers and shirts.
Acler
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Founded by Julia Ritorto and Kathryn Forth, Acler embody the fearless spirit of the modern woman, flitting between structured suiting and architectural shapes, to floral motifs set against pastel backdrops to for universal appeal to clients.
Ngali
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Denni Francisco aims to bring the work of First Nations artists into the fashion industry through her label Ngali, a female founded Australian brand working to promote an understanding between First Nations communities and others.
Bangn Bod
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Founded by Priscilla Hajiantoni – at only 26 years of age – Bangn Bod is known for its luxe skin care formulations coating the body or face with a burst of hydration wrapped in a citrus scent.
A.EMERY
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Anna McLaren’s footwear label A.EMERY is the minimalists dream and crafted the ‘it’ Australian shoe of the year in 2021 through its collaboration with Matteau. Sandals are refined and timeless, made with longevity front of mind.
Friend of Audrey
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Friend of Audrey was founded in Sydney with a vision to create curated wardrobe pieces that are responsibly produced and effortlessly timeless. The brand creates classic silhouettes that are always thoughtful, and sophisticated, yet comfortable.
Binny
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Known for an eclectic mixture of print and colour, female founded Binny is Belinda Watson’s answer to more-is-more clothing. Evoking a sense of Scandinavian technicolor, no two collections are the same and inspire women to experiment with their style.
Go-To Skincare
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The brainchild of Zoe Foster-Blake, we think it’s a safe bet to assume there’s a piece of Go-To in everyone’s skincare rotation. Whether its Super Handy, Face Hero or the brand new Repair Shop mask, Foster-Blake’s ambition is never satiated and her determination to create skin care suitable for all continues to flourish to this day, making Go-To one of our favourite female founded brands.
Posse
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Posse re-defines vintage by reconstructing pieces from the past. The aim is to create timeless and long-lasting classics that will remain permanent fixtures in your wardrobe for years to come.
Joslin Studio
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Eleanor Joslin’s label encourages women to feel comfortable in their own skin, embodying the spirit of Joslin herself. Her eponymous label is renowned for its minimalistic garments that pair seamlessly together, making them ideal for when starting a capsule wardrobe or needing a wardrobe cleanse.
Naomi Murrell
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Known for dainty pieces in metals of gold, silver or rose gold, Naomi Murrell’s eponymous label crafts simplistic jewellery made to be worn on their own as a paired-back accessory, or stacked with complementary items for a statement look.
St Agni
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The brainchild of Lara Felles and her husband Matt, the St Agni brand has become a cult favourite known for their minimalistic aesthetics designed for longevity and trans-seasonal wear.
Fella Swim
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Founded in 2012 by Rosie Iffla and Christine Tang, Sydney brand Fella Swim is known for their vibrantly coloured swimwear inspired by the laid back, sand-dwelling lifestyle pertinent to the harbour city.
Zimmermann
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Sister duo Nicky and Simone Zimmermann have become a global symbol of Australian fashion, taking their brand from our shores to the globe. Whether it be on the streets of Paddington or the runway of New York Fashion Week, the Zimmermann woman carries on the pioneering spirit of the brand’s designers.
Sauce Swim
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Sauce swim is a joyful swimwear brand that radiates individuality and freedom. They are ethically minded, using regenerated nylon from post-consumer materials for their pieces, and reusable and compostable packaging. Instead of following the trend cycle they are trans-seasonal in order to last longer.
LMS the Brand
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Footwear taking you from day to night, beach to bar, LMS was launched by Lisa Seskin and bridges the gap between functional and fun shoes. Coming in vibrant hues and prints, every pair has a story to tell.
Maria Farro
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Combining the best of Bondi Beach lifestyle with European heritage, Maria Farro has a shoe for every woman. All sandals are lovingly made by hand in Crete, intended to become treasured pieces to be worn across the seasons.
Hakea
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Hakea was created to ensure women had something comfortable and practical, yet timeless to wear in the water. The fabrics are sun protectant and durable to wear for endless summers. The brand is moving towards sustainability, having began to make their swimwear out of recycled plastics.
