To celebrate International Women's Day, AirRobe has reached out to a
selection of inspiring women and change-makers across Fashion, Art, Photography, Writing and
Sustainability.
The theme for International Women's Day this year is 'Accelerate Action'.
Collectively, we can Accelerate Action for gender equality. Step forward in
solidarity for International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8 to help
#AccelerateAction. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158,
which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity,
according to data from the World Economic Forum. Focusing on the need to
Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive
steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and
urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face,
both in personal and professional spheres. So, together, let's Accelerate
Action to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.
Fatuma Ndenzako is Melbourne based co-founder, along with her sister Laurinda, of slow-fashion label Collective Closets. Their label pays homage to their late mother Stella, a talented seamstress, and celebrates their Africa–Australian heritage and the empowerment of women. They have been featured on platforms such as Fashion Journal, Refinery29, My Daily Business, The Design Files and the NGV.
Right now, the urgency of accelerating action is even more important. The world is at a crossroads, and while progress has been made, the pace has been far too slow. The inequality women face whether in the workplace, at home, or in society continues to hold us back from reaching our full potential as individuals and as a collective.
At Collective Closets, we are deeply committed to celebrating and empowering women, from the way we operate our brand to the relationships we build with our production team and suppliers. As a women led company, our mission has always been rooted in solidarity and community. We are passionate about telling stories through fashion and building strong, sustainable connections with our Australian + Kenyan teams, where women play a vital role in every step of the process.
Recognising the power of women working together whether through a fashion brand or a community initiative to create change. We can accelerate action by leveraging our strengths, forging partnerships, and making sure that every step we take is deliberate and impactful. In doing so, we move closer to achieving the gender equality we deserve.
The inspiration behind establishing Collective Closets came from a deeply personal place. My sister Laurinda and I wanted to honour our late mother, Stella, who was not only a talented seamstress but also a woman who dedicated her life to celebrating and empowering others through her craft. We saw the power of clothing in her hands, how it brought people together, told stories, and instilled confidence. This profound connection to our heritage and our mother’s legacy led us to create a brand that connects the beauty, talent, and rich history of the African continent with the Australian market.
Our vision for Collective Closets is to create more than just a clothing brand. We want it to be a platform for women—empowered women who are worldly, self-aware, and confident in their own skin, no matter their age. We believe that clothing should make women feel good and tell a story, reflecting the intention and purpose behind each piece. It’s about celebrating the artisans who bring our collections to life and honouring the women who wear them.
For us, fashion is a universal language, and Collective Closets is our way of sparking conversation and connection among women from all walks of life. We’re passionate about uniting women through shared experiences, cultures, and stories, while giving back to the communities that have inspired us. Each collection we create is a celebration—a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and the strength of women everywhere.
Embracing slow fashion and rejecting fast fashion practices has certainly come with its set of challenges, but it’s a decision we’re proud of, as it aligns with our core values and vision. One of the primary challenges we’ve faced is the pressure to conform to the faster-paced cycles of the fashion industry. Fast fashion operates on a model of constant newness, high volume, and frequent sales, which often leads to overproduction, waste, and overconsumption. Staying true to our slower, more intentional approach means resisting these pressures and prioritising quality, sustainability, and a deeper connection to our craft.
Another challenge is navigating customer expectations. In an industry where the cycle of new trends, discounts, and constant promotions is the norm, convincing customers to embrace the idea of owning pieces that are timeless, durable, and not constantly on sale requires a shift in mindset. But for us, it’s about education and creating a community that understands the true value of investing in high-quality, sustainable fashion that can be worn and loved for years to come. We want our customers to see that fashion doesn’t have to be fleeting; it can be lasting and meaningful.
By opting for small production runs of 20 to 200 units, we also face limitations in scale, which can sometimes mean we don’t have the capacity to meet high demand. However, these small runs are important because they allow us to maintain the quality and attention to detail we’re committed to, and they ensure that our impact on the environment remains minimal.
Our goal is to create a wardrobe that integrates seamlessly into our customers' lives, offering pieces that work together and apart, that they can wear season after season without worrying about fleeting trends.
At Collective Closets, we are committed to positive change by fostering a women-led brand and building strong, ethical relationships with our suppliers and local communities. We ensure that women involved in producing our collections are paid fairly and work in safe, respectful conditions. Next year we are furthering this commitment by partnering with organisations in Kenya to support traditional artisans and preserve their craftsmanship, all while telling their stories authentically
The fashion industry has a critical responsibility to accelerate gender equality, especially considering the millions of women it employs. To fulfil this responsibility, the industry must address issues such as wage gaps, unpaid labor, and unsafe working conditions. Brands must ensure women are paid fairly, work in safe environments, and are supported through fair labor practices at every stage of production.
We believe in unity and collective action to drive gender equality. We’re dedicated to educating our customers on the importance of slow fashion, helping them get the most life out of their pieces, and reducing the impact of fast-fashion trends. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to a more equitable future for women in the industry.
Creating Collective Closets and raising my son Arlo have been the most important and rewarding experiences of my life. To be honest, I don’t see it as a perfect "balance" but more as an ongoing process of finding harmony. The values and world I want to create through Collective Closets. One that is kinder, more sustainable, and focused on positive change are the same values I want to instil in Arlo. The two are deeply intertwined.
Arlo is actually one of Collective Closets’ biggest fans! He’s incredibly proud of the brand, and I love that he’s motivated by the work we do. Just recently, he came with me to New York for a talk I was giving, and afterward, he told me he wants to build something amazing when he grows up. Knowing that the work I’m doing with Collective Closets inspires him is a powerful reminder of why I do what I do.
For me, navigating motherhood and professional life is about creating meaningful work that I can be proud of and that will inspire future generations, especially my son. The journey of building Collective Closets motivates me to always strive for purpose and impact in everything I do. I hope my experience shows other women that while it’s not always easy, when your work aligns with your values, it becomes something worth sharing with the world and with the ones you love.
