Q&A: Why doesn’t Mainie make its products in Australia?

Australia no longer has large-scale textile manufacturers capable of producing the fine silk, wool, or modal fabrics that Mainie uses in its collections. Over the years, the local textile industry has significantly declined, and the specialised machinery and artisan skills required for high-quality fabric production are now found overseas.

Mainie partners with trusted manufacturers in China who are renowned for their ethical practices and artisan textile workers. China is home to the world’s finest silk production, a revered cultural heritage industry that originated nearly 5,000 years ago in the fabled Imperial Silk Cities. This long-standing tradition of silk-making ensures that Mainie scarves are crafted using the highest quality materials and time-honoured techniques.

Mainie also uses Modal, a luxurious, plant-based textile derived from beech trees, that originally was developed in Japan in the 1950s. Today, the majority of premium modal is produced by Lenzing AG, a world-leading Austrian company known for its commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Mainie's wool scarves are made from homegrown Australian Merino wool, sourced exclusively from Woolmark-certified suppliers who operate under strict licensing conditions. This guarantees the highest standards of quality and animal welfare while supporting Australian woolgrowers and sustainable farming practices.

All Mainie designs are authentically created in Australia in collaboration with Aboriginal women artists. We operate under formal licensing agreements and pay royalties directly to the artists and their families, ensuring that every product supports Indigenous communities and celebrates their cultural heritage.

By combining authentic Aboriginal art with world-class textile expertise, Mainie offers beautifully made, ethically produced fashion that shares Australia’s First Nations stories with the world.

Mainie’s collections of exquisite wearable art pieces are available online and exported to customers around the globe, proudly representing Australian First Nations culture on the international stage.

Founded in 2012, by Gunggari Aboriginal woman, Charmaine (Mainie) Saunders, Mainie Australia is a Supply Nation Certified Indigenous Owned Business and an Indigenous Art Code Member.