It's funny how things happen - last year I was in a spot where I couldn't afford to have a collection made - so I made it myself. It had been YEARS since I'd made a run myself and I was surprised by how much I loved it.

It's relaxing, satisfying and deeply rewarding. So this year, I've included it in my business model and am doing as much sewing as I can comfortably fit into my week.

I make the print pieces, because these are harder to guess which will sell - so I offer them as preorders - meaning nothing goes to waste. It makes so much sense in a world saturated by fast fashion and I'm very proud to get to offer my clothes in this way.

The core staple pieces I know will sell, I have made in Melbourne. I've been working with Collier Clothing for 4 years now. Sam and Jim have been in the biz for over 30 years and know exactly what they're doing.

There are many boxes to tick when finding the right working relationship, such as, workable production numbers, fair wages, quality of work, timely delivery, pleasant communication and the list goes on... I am very happy that I have found a good match with Collier.

The Dalee Ella collection is hand screen-printed, to recreate the texture of Dalee's gorgeous lino prints.

We have been super lucky to partner with Printink Studio in Collingwood, Melbourne where Nadia and Jason literally print each meter of our fabric by hand.

The hand feel of the ink sitting on top of our certified organic cotton knit, cannot be replicated in any other way and we love that you can literally feel the artwork.

We exclusively use Permaset inks which are water based, non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals.

Our plain stretch cotton knit is not only certified organic cotton, but it is knitted in Melbourne and dyed with certified organic dyes.

There are only a handful of Australian mills left in the country, so this is a special thing.

I have been using ABMT's stretch knit for over 15 years. It's high quality, feels great, moves with your body and has amazing longevity.

While screen printing is beautiful, it has limitations with how many colours you can use in one print. Thats why I found Senboo textiles, a small digital fabric printer and ethical fashion manufacturer in China.

I was very mindful when choosing a new fabric supplier that they specialise in GOTS certified organic cotton, use eco-friendly inks, and have OKEO Tex certification.

It took me about three years to find the right printer and I continue to wear test the fabrics. I am very happy with the feel, print quality and longevity.

I only use organic and natural fibres because no one wants to wear plastic.

It's an ongoing process, finding fabrics which perform in the best possible way with the best environmental credentials. 

Its not perfect, but I do make the best decisions I possibly can and am constantly researching how to improve fabric choices. 

If there is one thing I have learnt, its that you cannot rush into using all new fabrics without testing, and this is a lengthy process. Slow and steady is the way forward.

I have been honing my sewing and design skills for 25+ years.

Understanding just how much goes into perfecting fit and construction gives me an insight into the value of clothing which other designers who don't sew may not have.

I believe that is integral to helping change the narrative around clothing from being disposable, to something we care for.