community
Celebrating traditional crafts and modern artistry is integral to the brand. Our mission is to proactively champion artisans and cultural preservation. Through our continued work with carefully chosen suppliers, we aim to foster and amplify the voices of artisans, preserving heritage and time-honoured techniques and local ways of making.
Community
Impact Snapshot
Since 2021, the brand has engaged 14 artists in design for its collections.
6,219 artisanal products have been produced across 58 styles since 2021
Alémais has partnerships with multiple community organisations including Two Good, Cancer Chicks, and The Social Outfit.
Artists
Alémais was born of a desire to celebrate art and creativity.
Since starting our business, we have collaborated with 14 artists, embracing true collaboration.
Michael Swaney, PreFall 24
A multidisciplinary artist who shifts seamlessly between mediums including painting, collage, ceramics and video, the visual world of Canadian-born, Barcelona-based Michael Swaney burns rich and brightly with childlike curiosity. Fusing colour, form and texture into his exuberant and playful paintings, Swaney pivots freely from the physical world around him to his childhood memories and subconscious, capturing the graphic compositions and geometric forms that populate his creative universe.
Meagan Boyd, Resort 24
American multidisciplinary artist Meagan Boyd creates living manifestations of poetry and sensuality. Bridging the gap between the sacred and the mundane, she explores visionary landscapes inhabited by both divine and feral creatures adorned with colourful symbols rendered in brushwork that is both intricate and wild. Her paintings present familiar archetypes that reconstruct ancient narratives into personal mythologies. She depicts visions of ecstatic joy reverberating with esoteric resonance.
Emma Gale, Resort 22
Born in Sydney, Emma has always been fascinated with travel and different cultures, the people themselves, as well as their adornments, rituals, and surrounds. This interest was cultivated during her teenage years after a trip to Africa, and from living for two years in Egypt, where she established an art program for refugees from war-torn Sudan. Emma’s paintings capture how she is drawn to the small things, daily routines, street scenes – maybe the forgotten or behind-the-scenes activities that often get overlooked.
Artisans
We collaborate with businesses and social enterprises that specialise in
supporting artisans to improve livelihoods, provide economic stability, education, health, and safety.
All our artisanal suppliers are either Fairtrade Certified or an established Social Enterprise
dedicated to supporting their workers.
Soko Kenya
Spotlight on our Artisan Partner
Founded in 2009 in Kenya, clothing manufacturer Soko began with a vision to produce clothing in a fair and safe environment, with a mission to empower and upskill their workers.
Soko Kenya's purpose is to empower their workers by: paying a living wage, offering training and education, giving access to health care services, and providing pensions. They offer working flexibility for single mothers and literacy training to all employees.
Alémais Founder and Creative Director Lesleigh Jermanus first met the Soko team in 2017. We now work with Soko to manufacture our clothes using local hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery and most recently, crochet.
Made by Soko: Alémais’ Josephine Dress
(Pre-fall 23)
· 11 Artisans
· 312 hours weaving
· Woven using traditional handloom
· Belt handwoven, shell buttons
Indigenous Fashion Projects; Pathways Program
The Pathways Program facilitates support through mentorship for First Nations designers across all stages of developing a fashion label. The initiative is supported by iconic retailer David Jones, and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation.
Impact
Alémais participated in Pathways Program workshops and mentorship, offering opportunities for indigenous businesses to connect with industry experts and share industry expertise.
Social Outfit
Alémais collaborated with The Social Outfit, an Australian fashion non-profit known for its commitment to empowering refugee and migrant communities through employment and training in the fashion industry.
Impact
Our collaboration involved harnessing the skills and hand embroidery expertise of the women in their training programs, notably showcased in our Resort 24 runway collection. 85 hours was spent on this project.
Cancer Chicks
This organisation is a community hub for young women navigating cancer and other terminal or chronic illnesses. Cancer Chicks offers support through events, retreats, social networks, and other services.
Impact
Alémais collaborated with influencer Nadia Fairfax on a limited-edition range of scarfs sold exclusively at Mode Sportif boutique, with 100% of all proceeds going to Cancer Chicks.
Two Good x Alémais: Cook in Colour Project
Two Good Co. is a Sydney-based social enterprise that transforms the lives of women at risk through the power of food. Starting as an organic soup kitchen at St Canice’s church in Kings Cross, it has grown to create, sell, and donate restaurant-quality meals designed by leading Australian chefs like Kylie Kwong and Matt Moran. Two Good also produces premium homewares and toiletries, offering comfort and dignity.
In 2024, Alemais collaborated with Two Good Co, by designing a custom Apron and Napkin Set, which generated over AUD $90,000, which supported Two Good Co, Two Good Foundation, and well as employment programs for women at risk of homelessness.
Impact
234 Meals donated through sales of the Food is Love Lunch Set.
Generate AUD $90,000 from the sale of 600 Napkin Pairs and 300+ Aprons
210 Women and Children received lunch and gifts at Christmas as part of their initiative called Love Through Lunch.
5 Alémais staff volunteered for a day..
$10,000 donated by Alémais to Two Good at their annual foundation dinner.