How We Create BlackMilk

From an idea in Brisbane to the piece you wear.

Every BlackMilk product has a journey.

Long before it arrives at your door, it has already been through months of creativity, product development, sampling, refinement and quality checks.

Every print starts with an idea.

Every product starts with a purpose.

Whether it's inspired by mythology, art, horror, gaming, pop culture or something completely unexpected, every collection begins with our team in Brisbane imagining something that is distinctly BlackMilk.

From there, our designers, product developers, buyers and quality team work together to turn that idea into a product you'll love wearing.

Manufacturing is an important part of that journey, but it's only one chapter.

This is how we create BlackMilk.

 

Every product starts in Brisbane

Our collections begin in our Brisbane studio.

This is where our team develops collection concepts, creates artwork, refines print placement, designs silhouettes and solves the technical challenges that turn an idea into a wearable product.

Every product is developed with a clear purpose. Sometimes that's creating the perfect drape for a dress. Sometimes it's finding the right fabric for a skirt. Sometimes it's making sure a print lands exactly where it was intended.

Every BlackMilk product is designed here before production begins.

From sketch to sample

Once a design is approved, our Product Developer creates detailed technical specifications for the product.

These specifications include everything from measurements and construction details through to trims, stitching, print placement and finishing requirements.

Before any product goes into production, it goes through one or more rounds of sampling.

Some products are approved after the first sample.

Others require two or three rounds of refinement.

Each sample gives us an opportunity to assess fit, proportions, construction, print placement and overall quality before we give approval to move forward.

It's a process of refining the details until we're confident the product meets the standard we're aiming for.

 

Choosing the right fabric

Choosing a fabric is about much more than how it feels.

Different products require different performance characteristics.

Some need stretch.

Some need structure.

Some need softness.

Some need breathability.

Some need durability.

As our collections evolve, you'll see us introducing more cotton, natural fibres and recycled materials where they're the right choice for the product.

Rather than choosing one fabric for everything, we choose the material that best suits the product we're creating.

 

Working with specialist manufacturing partners

We currently work with around eight specialist manufacturing partners.

Each has expertise in different types of products, fabrics and production techniques.

Rather than asking one factory to produce everything, we work with manufacturers whose capabilities match the product we're developing.

Whether that's knitwear, woven products, activewear, printed fashion or hosiery, our goal is always the same: pairing the right product with the right expertise.

 

Choosing our partners

Who we work with matters.

Every manufacturing partner is expected to meet the standards set out in BlackMilk's Supplier Code of Conduct.

Our Code outlines our expectations across:

• Human rights

• Fair treatment of workers

• Workplace health and safety

• Environmental responsibility

• Product quality

• Business integrity

• Animal welfare

Suppliers are expected to communicate these standards throughout their own supply chain, maintain appropriate records and address any issues that arise.

When selecting manufacturing partners, we also consider recognised industry certifications and social compliance programs they participate in as part of our overall assessment.

Building long-term relationships with trusted partners allows us to work together to improve products over time.

 

Quality is our responsibility

Where a product is made is only one part of the story.

How it's made is just as important.

Product inspections are an important part of the overall quality assessment process. That inspection includes checking:

• Print quality

• Fabric

• Measurements

• Stitching

• Workmanship

• Overall finish

If something doesn't meet our expectations, we work with our manufacturing partners to identify the issue and improve future production.

It’s important to acknowledge that quality doesn't come from where something is made or the quality check that’s done at the end of the process.

Quality comes from the decisions we make. The fabrics we choose. The standards we set. The partners we work with. The specifications we write. The inspections we carry out. And how we fix the things that don’t meet our standards. That's our responsibility. Not anyone else's.

 

Packaging

We know the journey doesn't end when a product leaves the factory.

For shipping to our customers, we use mailers made from Ocean Bound Plastic through Better Packaging Co. These mailers are produced using plastic collected from coastal communities before it reaches the ocean, helping give existing plastic a second life.

Like everything we do, we'll continue looking for opportunities to improve our packaging as better solutions become available.