Thanks to The Duchess of Sussex’s initial appearance in Outland Denim while in Australia for the official Royal Tour, the brand saw a 950% spike in traffic to www.OUTLANDDENIM.com. With website visitors coming from Uruguay to Russia, the Harriet in Black has been the favourite, selling out within 48 hours, with a sizeable waitlist. Since then, Meghan has been seen wearing the Harriet jeans numerous times, and Outland has seen GLOBAL SALES online (through its suite of sites - .au, .com, .ca, .co.uk) increase by 2374%. While GLOBAL ONLINE TRAFFIC has increased over 3000%.
The fresh interest in the brand is impacting more than just the brand’s sales though. Through Outland Denim’s dedication to social change, it is able to create life changing opportunities for vulnerable women in high-risk situations around the world. Now thanks to “Markle Effect”, it will be possible to employ a further 15 to 30 seamstresses in its Cambodian production house in coming weeks, for which recruitment has already begun.
The company, founded in 2011, offers formerly enslaved or exploited young women training and employment pathways. Since the launch Outland Denim has evolved to equip women in positions of varying vulnerability to gain employment; including those leaving exploitative situations within garment factories, those with physical disabilities, and those who have been trafficked for labour. The key to its business model is mitigating the women’s risk of exploitation through skills acquisition, living wages, education programs and life skills development.
“It is quite remarkable to think The Duchess of Sussex’s influence means more jobs almost immediately,” said Outland Denim founder, James Bartle. “This means women will be able to earn a living wage, provide for their children in terms of nutrition, care and education, and will gain new skills and confidence in a positive workplace environment.”
Just a few of the sightings of The Duchess of Sussex in her Harriet jean in Black:
17th October, arriving in Dubbo. Worn with Serena Williams blazer, white shirt and black boots.
21st October 21, boat ride to watch the Invictus Games sailing event. Worn with a pair of ethical Veja sneakers.
27th October, courtside at the Invictus Games’ wheelchair basketball finals. Worn with a maroon top by fellow Australian label Scanlan Theodore.
31st October visiting Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Meghan also wore her new favourite Harriets while embarking from Hervey Bay to Fuji and there are continued sightings while in New Zealand...
“ We are thrilled to see Meghan using her significant influence to create positive change in the lives of many young women. And the fact that she has chosen to wear Outland Denim multiple times shows her preference for the product’s fit, comfort, and style, perhaps as well as a desire to help us achieve our mission.” said James Bartle, Outland Denim’s Founder and CEO.
Outland’s jeans are crafted in Cambodia by a team of dedicated staff who have graduated from the company’s coveted in-house training program to become skilled cutters, seamstresses and pattern makers. Earlier this year Outland was awarded an A+ rating in the Ethical Fashion Report published by Baptist World Aid and is Australia’s first B CorporationⓇ denim brand. Outland has also been named as one of six finalists in the Thomson Reuters Foundation Stop Slavery Award, to be announced in London on November 14th 2018.
To coincide with the Royal seal of approval for the brand, and to try and meet demand, Outland launches free* shipping to the UK for the first time. (*Shipping is free for two or more items, £5 for one, with estimated delivery within 7 days.)
The Harriet in Black, £140, is available at outlanddenim.com. *Shipping is free for two or more items, £5 for one, with estimated delivery within 7 days.
About OUTLAND DENIM
Founded in Australia in 2011, Outland Denim is passionate about creating versatile, high-quality wardrobe staples that provide employment and training opportunities to young women who have experienced sexual exploitation, slavery, poverty and other human rights abuses. Outland’s jeans are crafted by its team of seamstresses using the finest, responsibly sourced raw materials from around the world in its stand-alone production facility in Cambodia. The brand is a part of the global movement toward a fashion industry that promotes human dignity while reducing environmental impact. Outland is Australia’s first Certified B CorporationⓇ denim brand.
Instagram: @outlanddenim Facebook: Outland Denim Website: outlanddenim.com
For images, further information or to request an interview with Outland Denim’s Founder James Bartle, when he is in London from 12th - 20th November, please get in touch.
Online and print media:
Zoja Minic
+ 44 (0) 7715244678
zoja@whitehair.co
TV, radio and broadcast:
Lady Charlotte Lynham
+ 44 (0) 7966 519777
charlotte@whitehair.co
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