Australian fashion label BlackMilk Clothing will close its Brisbane manufacturing operation and shift production offshore to China.<\/p>\n
The decision will see the company shut its last Australian manufacturing site in Brisbane, ending more than 15 years of local production.<\/p>\n
Launched in 2009, BlackMilk built a global cult following with its NASA-inspired galaxy-print leggings, which became one of the defining fashion trends of the early 2010s after going viral.<\/p>\n
Chief executive Jackie Kruger announced the decision in a message to customers, acknowledging many would be disappointed by the move.<\/p>\n
“I also know this announcement will be deeply disappointing for many members of our community,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
Australian manufacturing had been central to BlackMilk since the brand’s beginnings and had become part of its identity, Ms Kruger said.<\/p>\n
“Today, we need to change direction,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ms Kruger said the company no longer believed its existing manufacturing model could support the business into the future.<\/p>\n
The company is also expanding its use of cotton, natural fibres and recycled polyester, materials and specialist production capabilities that are not available through its Brisbane factory.<\/p>\n
The cult Australian fashion label is known for its bold, graphic-print activewear and leggings, and collaborations with artists including acclaimed Japanese manga creator Junji Ito.<\/p>\n
Ms Kruger stressed the move offshore would not come at the expense of product quality.<\/p>\n
“Quality remains BlackMilk’s responsibility, regardless of where a product is made,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ms Kruger said customers would continue to see Australian-made products for some time as existing items remained in the production pipeline and the company would continue labelling each product’s country of manufacture.<\/p>\n
“I know not everyone will agree with this decision,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
Ms Kruger said the decision ultimately rested with her as chief executive and pledged to continue updating customers on the transition while listening to feedback from the BlackMilk community.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes two years after founder James Lillis, known to customers as “JL”, died following an accident while on holiday in February 2024.<\/p>\n
Lillis founded the Brisbane-based brand in 2009, transforming it from a small online leggings business into one of Australia’s most recognisable independent fashion labels with a devoted global following.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Australian fashion label BlackMilk Clothing will close its Brisbane manufacturing operation and shift production offshore to China. 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