Culture Kings
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Based on what Culture Kings publishes, with few independent checks. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 2 November 2026 · 6 sources · How we check
Australian streetwear retailer selling sneakers, caps and its own labels.
Culture Kings scored 9/100 in the 2024 Ethical Fashion Report, and there's no proof it pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
Better-graded bags and accessories
Graded higher than Culture Kings, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Culture Kings? Send a right of reply.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements, with 3 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, unaudited production in high-risk countries and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report 9/100 in 2024). Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rights97% of its products are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report 9/100 (2024)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
China 85%, Bangladesh 4%, Vietnam 3% and 5 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made
Culture Kings names some of the countries it makes in: China. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 85% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | 4% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | 3% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | 1% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | 1% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
2 things we found and what 2 independent sources say.Open the evidenceClose the evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Culture Kings' in-house brands made up 21% of its stock spend in 2024 and were made in 27 offshore factories in China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia; 21 of the 27 held current SEDEX or BSCI-type audit certificates. Its 2021 statement said 79% of in-house suppliers were in mainland China; newer statements give no country shares. It publishes no factory list, reports no audit findings, makes no living wage commitment and scored 9/100 in the 2024 Ethical Fashion Report (no 2026 result shown). No labour abuses at its suppliers have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion ReportAnother organisation's rating | Scored 9/100, failing | Scored 9 out of 100 in the 2024 Ethical Fashion Report, in the bottom fifth; its ethical.org.au page shows no 2026 result. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Statement filed | CK Holdco's 2024 modern slavery statement reports 27 offshore factories for its in-house brands, 21 with current recognised audit certificates; no living wage commitment. View |
Sources and actions
6 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Culture Kings - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · 2024 Ethical Fashion Report score 9/100; owned by a.k.a. Brands since 2021
- a.k.a. Brands Announces Acquisition of Culture Kings (Business Wire) · search the archive · Founded in Brisbane in 2008; acquired by a.k.a. Brands in 2021
Published by Culture Kings or its owner
- CK Holdco Modern Slavery Statement 2024 · search the archive · 27 offshore in-house factories (55 in 2023), 21 with audit certificates; China, Australia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh; 21% of spend
- CK Holdco Modern Slavery Statement 2023 · search the archive · 55 offshore in-house factories, 34 with SEDEX or BSCI certificates; no audit findings or living wage reported
- Culture Kings Group Modern Slavery Statement 2020-21 · search the archive · 56 in-house suppliers, 79% in mainland China; others in Hong Kong, Australia, India, Italy, Pakistan, Taiwan, Bangladesh
- Carré Proves They Own The Tee Game (Culture Kings) · search the archive · Carré label sold by Culture Kings
Company details
- Owned by
- a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp.
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Culture Kings ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/culture-kings, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Culture Kings.
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