The Journey Forward: The Movers, Shakers & Changemakers of Sussan
At Sussan, we are passionate about celebrating the women shaping a better tomorrow.
As part of our April campaign, The Journey Forward, we want to highlight the women leading the way in sustainability—across farming, recycling, and responsible fashion.
From how the team at Upparel is tackling fashion waste to how Australian cotton farmers are pioneering more sustainable farming practices, this series spotlights the inspiring voices within our community.
We’re also going behind the scenes with the Sussan team to learn how we are integrating more responsible fabrics in our collections, the innovations we’re embracing and the challenges of balancing sustainability with style.
Real change starts here—one step, one choice, one future at a time. This is the journey forward.
LIZ STOTT, COTTON FARMER AND DEPUTY CHAIR OF COTTON AUSTRALIA
What inspired you to become a cotton farmer, and what does being a woman in this industry mean?
I grew up in Canberra, so I am not a born-and-bred farmer, so to speak. However, my mum and dad are from the southern highlands, and mum is from a sheep property, so we spent a lot of time growing up on grandma’s property and in nearby rural towns. I always loved it there, so when a chance meeting with my now husband at a pub in Canberra led to me moving out to the farm at Whitton, in the Riverina area of NSW, I felt right at home. We decided to grow our first cotton crop in 2009/2010 when water allocations returned following the end-of-the-millennium drought. The cotton industry seemed very innovative and exciting in our area, and the crop itself was a great new challenge for us, having traditionally been wheat, rice and corn growers. The cotton industry is very inclusive, collegiate, and diverse, so I have never really considered myself any different to anyone else, and indeed the cotton industry does a great job encouraging and celebrating women in all facets of agriculture.
Sustainable farming is constantly evolving—what changes have you seen in cotton farming, and how are you contributing to that shift?
The cotton industry has led the way in ensuring its sustainability into the future. Some key shifts have been a reduction in synthetic pesticide use by over 95% and improving our water use productivity by over 52% since the 1990s. The cotton varieties we grow have been bred to specifically succeed in the sometimes harsh demands of our Australian climate. Research and development have underpinned our on-farm sustainability, alongside our internationally recognised Best Management Practice program, myBMP.
On our own farm, we have reconfigured our layouts to be the most water-efficient they can be, utilising every precious drop through recirculation systems, automation, soil moisture, and crop monitoring. We have also received our BMP accreditation, which means we have demonstrated best practices in 10 key areas of farm operations, including improving soil health, protecting and retaining native animals and vegetation and water management.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about Australian cotton and its environmental impact?
The Australian cotton industry was the first agricultural industry to independently assess its environmental impact back in 1991 and has been working to improve its sustainability ever since. We report regularly against our sustainability framework, Planet, People, Paddock, and undertake independent environmental assessments every 10 years.
At the farm level, many people don’t realise that our farms are home to many native flora and fauna including insects, water birds, fish and reptiles. The presence of native wildlife is a great indicator to farmers about the health of their land, and we protect and encourage biodiversity on farms wherever we can. The other great thing about Australian cotton is that almost all parts of the plant are used in some way. The soft, white lint is separated and goes into making quality clothing, towels, socks and sheets, while the seed is sold as feed for livestock or processed into oil for cooking and cosmetics.
How do you see the role of women evolving in agriculture, and what impact do female farmers have on the future of sustainable farming?
As I look around, I see more and more women involved in agriculture – and that doesn’t always mean they are out working as farmers. I see them in offices, running multi-million dollar enterprises, in plant breeding facilities, in research labs, in the field working as agronomists or sales reps and around board tables leading advocacy, research or agribusiness organisations. Diversity of thought and experience is essential if you want to achieve the best outcomes, so women in farming have a vital role to play in that sense. Over time, pioneering female leaders in agriculture have helped inspire women to evolve from the traditional, homemaker roles of the 60s and 70s to today, where I and many others don’t even give much thought to being a “female farmer”. We are just farmers, agronomists, scientists, directors…. the list goes on, working alongside the other men and women in our industry.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young women looking to enter the agricultural industry today?
I would say to not let your past experience control where you might end up in the future. You might have studied science, but end up finding your passion in communications and policy. You might have grown up in the city but yearn to live in the country. Ten years is a long time, so if you have a dream to work in the agricultural industry, pick up the phone with someone at the National Farmers Federation, someone at Elders Rural, or a university offering an agriculture degree and see whether they might have some guidance on where you could start. It is important to remember that working in the agricultural industry doesn’t mean you need to live on a farm or in a rural community (although I highly recommend it!). Many agriculture roles are actually based in our cities or larger regional centres. So don’t limit your chances by thinking it might be out of reach because you haven’t studied agriculture, aren’t from a farm or don’t know anyone who works in the industry. Just start with a dream, start the conversation and see where that might take you.
TINA, UPPAREL GENERAL MANAGER & FOUNDER
Australians send over 6,000kg of textiles to landfill every 10 minutes. What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about where their unwanted clothes end up?
Many people assume that donating clothes to charity means they’ll be reused or recycled. In reality, much of it ends up sold to second-hand markets overseas or discarded if it can’t be resold—only a small portion is repurposed locally.
Another common misconception is that natural fibres like cotton or wool biodegrade quickly in landfill. But landfill conditions slow the process significantly—and synthetic fibres like polyester can take hundreds of years to break down.
Sussan's partnership with UPPAREL makes it easier for customers to recycle their clothing responsibly. Can you walk us through the process and why convenience is key to reducing waste?
Sussan's partnership with UPPAREL has made it easier for customers to recycle their clothing responsibly—both online and in-store. Through the $35 recycling service, customers can send in unwanted items and receive a $25 voucher in return, encouraging sustainable choices through added value and ease.
Convenience is key to reducing waste. When recycling is accessible and straightforward, more people are likely to take part. By removing barriers and offering simple solutions, Sussan and UPPAREL are helping customers make sustainability part of everyday life.
Beyond customer recycling, Sussan also works with UPPAREL to process excess stock, faulty items, samples, accessories, and footwear. Where possible, reusable items are donated to grassroots charities, while the rest is sorted and responsibly recycled. Now three years strong, this partnership is helping build a more circular, less wasteful fashion future.
65% of the clothing UPPAREL receives is still fit to wear. How do you ensure these pieces reach people who need them most rather than becoming part of the waste stream?
At UPPAREL, we work with over 450 charities across Australia. They are made up of a combination of grassroots organisations and op-shops. All essential items for women, men and children are given to grassroots originations, and the remaining items are handed to op-shops.
For the remaining textiles that can't be reworn, UPPAREL focuses on upcycling and recycling. Can you share some of the most exciting ways you're giving old materials a second life?
Most recently, we collaborated with Joost Bakker on the fit-out for Woodley School on the Mornington Peninsula. It was a pretty cool way to see how our product, UPTex, was used in a commercial setting. However, you can find our products in many commercial construction projects nationwide.
We also have an innovation hub with a team of creators who think outside the box about designing and building incredible things out of UPTex. So stay tuned.
What's one simple habit you'd love to see more people adopt when it comes to responsibly managing their wardrobe?
One simple habit I'd love to see more people adopt is buying less but choosing better. This means focusing on quality over quantity, opting for durable, versatile pieces that last longer rather than impulse buying. It helps reduce waste, promotes mindful consumption, and encourages people to invest in items they truly love and will wear often. Plus, it can save money in the long run!
LISA, SUSSAN BUYER
What does responsible sourcing mean to you, and how does it shape Sussan's fabric choices?
As a buyer, responsible sourcing directly influences my daily fabric selection. Choosing high-quality, ethically sourced materials from our trusted vendors is essential. Ensuring our Sussan customers receive products that are responsibly sourced and built to last for years in their wardrobes is a top priority. This commitment reflects our dedication to sustainability and long-lasting value for our consumers.
What are some of the most exciting sustainable materials you're working with this season?
We're excited to incorporate more Lyocell and Hemp fabrics into our collections! These materials are sustainably sourced, require less water to produce than cotton, and are biodegradable, making them an excellent choice for a more eco-friendly future.
How do you balance sustainability and ensuring high-quality, fashion-forward designs?
This is a challenging aspect, as there's often a temptation to choose the cheaper or easier alternative. However, when designing our products, we always stay true to our core values as a business and remain mindful of our customers' expectations of receiving high-quality products. It requires careful planning, creativity, and innovation and often means working ahead of deadlines to secure fabrics before demand peaks.
What's one change you've helped introduce that you're particularly proud of?
For the AW25 season, our entire core denim collection is made from Australian cotton. Using sustainable and durable cotton in our denim products is essential, and Australian cotton, known for its strength, meets this standard perfectly. Equally important is selecting locally grown materials to support and strengthen our local cotton growing industry.
How do you see Sussan's approach to responsible fabrics evolving in the future?
We will consistently prioritise the customer when making fabric decisions, ensuring that external pressures from the current financial climate do not dictate our fabric choices. Moving forward, we aim to improve communication and transparency about the innovation behind our garments and the incorporation of responsible fibres to reduce our environmental impact further. Equally important is sharing the story behind all of this work!
