Spotlight On: Bianca Spender
At Scarlet Destiny, we believe sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a revolution. Our “Spotlight On” series is dedicated to showcasing trailblazers in the industry—those who are daring enough to challenge the status quo and reshape the future of fashion. This time, we turn our gaze to Bianca Spender, an Australian designer proving that luxury and sustainability can be symbiotic, not contradictory—just as much (if not more) than Stella McCartney has done.
Bianca Spender’s name carries weight. As the daughter of the late Carla Zampatti, she’s inherited a deep appreciation for impeccable tailoring and timeless design. But what sets her apart is an unwavering commitment to sustainability—not as a trend, but as a core design principle. Her collections, from sculptural workwear to ethereal eveningwear, are meticulously crafted to honour both craftsmanship and the planet.
Fashion That Doesn’t Cost the Earth
Bianca Spender’s approach to sustainability is rooted in action, not aesthetics. A key pillar of her work is the innovative use of deadstock fabrics and natural fibres. Instead of contributing to the endless cycle of overproduction, her brand repurposes surplus textiles, rescuing high-quality materials from an otherwise wasteful fate. The result? Luxurious, conscious design that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Beyond fabric selection, her brand takes deliberate steps to minimise water waste and chemical use in production—a crucial issue in an industry infamous for pollution. While there’s still ground to cover in water conservation, her commitment to small-batch production reduces excess inventory, proving that scarcity can be a sustainable strategy.
At Scarlet Destiny, we champion brands that move with intention—designing for longevity, not landfill. Bianca Spender’s approach echoes this ethos, creating future treasures instead of fleeting trends.
Made Local, Made Right
While many luxury brands outsource production to cut costs, Bianca Spender keeps her manufacturing 100% local—a rarity in today’s globalised fashion economy. All garments are produced in Ethical Clothing Australia-accredited factories, ensuring that workers are paid fairly and operate in safe conditions. This not only protects skilled artisans but also reduces carbon emissions from overseas shipping.
However, transparency is key. While her brand ranks high for ethical labour practices, there’s no confirmed evidence that all workers are paid a living wage. This is where further commitment to supply chain transparency could push the brand even further into the realm of true sustainability.
Animal Welfare: A Step Forward, But Room for Growth
Bianca Spender has made notable strides in eliminating fur, leather, down, angora, and exotic skins from her collections—a progressive move in a luxury space that often resists change. However, the continued use of wool and silk presents an ethical grey area, as the sourcing of these materials remains contentious within conscious consumer circles.
At Scarlet Destiny, we take a slightly different approach. While we recognise the importance of material innovation, we also acknowledge that many bio-based leather alternatives are not yet available at scale and are often limited to brands with the resources to invest heavily in R&D. For small, independent labels, access to these next-gen materials remains a challenge—not just in affordability, but in durability, structure, and real-world wearability.
Until truly ethical, high-performance alternatives become more accessible, we remain committed to using only the most responsibly sourced, vegetable-tanned European leathers—free from toxic chemicals and designed to last for generations. If brands like Bianca Spender—and indeed Scarlet Destiny—continue pushing for greater material transparency and regenerative sourcing, we can help accelerate the industry's shift towards luxury that is both conscious and uncompromising.
The Future of Sustainable Luxury
Bianca Spender is proof that responsible fashion is not about compromise—it’s about evolution. Her dedication to eco-conscious materials, ethical labour, and local production demonstrates that luxury and sustainability are not opposing forces—they are the future.
Yet, like all brands on this journey, there’s room to refine—from improving wage transparency to pioneering innovative alternatives to animal-derived materials. As Scarlet Destiny pushes for a bold, reimagined approach to sustainable fashion, we’ll be watching as Bianca Spender continues to evolve—because in fashion, the future belongs to those brave enough to reconfigure the norm.
💬 What are your thoughts on Bianca Spender’s sustainability efforts? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Sources: GoodOnYou.eco, SustainableReview.com