Manning Cartell
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Based on what Manning Cartell publishes, with few independent checks. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources · How we check
Family-owned Sydney womenswear label founded in 2005 by sisters Cheryl, Vanessa and Gabrielle Manning, selling dresses and separates through its own boutiques, David Jones and online.
We couldn't confirm where it makes the rest, and most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where the legal minimum is below a living wage.
Better-graded everyday fashion
Graded higher than Manning Cartell, 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.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements, with 2 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 doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 rights42% 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 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, partly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Australia 50%, China 15%, Bangladesh 10% and 6 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made
Manning Cartell names some of the countries it makes in: Australia. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 50% | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | 15% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | 8% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | 4% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | 4% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
1 thing we found and what 4 independent sources say.Open the evidenceClose the evidence
What we found
- 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 Manning Cartell is a family-owned Sydney womenswear label. In 2025 its founders said about half of its products are made in Australia and the other half offshore, without naming the overseas countries or factories. It held Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation from 2012 until November 2017 and is no longer in the ECA directory. It publishes no supplier list, audits or living wage commitment, and Good On You rated it 'Not good enough' for people in 2023. It has no Ethical Fashion Report score.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ethical Clothing Australia | Not accredited | Not in Ethical Clothing Australia's current brand directory; accreditation held from 2012 ended in November 2017. View |
| Fair Wear | Not a member | Not known to be a Fair Wear member. View |
| B Corp directory | Not certified | Not known to be a certified B Corp. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion ReportAnother organisation's rating | Not assessed | Not rated in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report; its Good Shopping Guide page (updated January 2026) shows no Ethical Fashion Report score. View |
Sources and actions
7 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 7
Show all 7 sources
- Ethical Consumers Guide (ethical.org.au): Manning Cartell · search the archive · Founded 2005 in Sydney by the Manning sisters; Manning Cartell Pty Ltd, Marrickville NSW; ECA accreditation for Australian-made garments ended November 2017; Good On You 2/5 (2023).
- Good On You: Manning Cartell · search the archive · People rating 2/5 'Not good enough' (Feb 2023): does not disclose all final-stage production locations, no evidence of a code of conduct, supplier audits or living wages.
- Ethical Clothing Australia brand directory sitemap · search the archive · Current list of 57 accredited brands does not include Manning Cartell.
- Manning Cartell: 20 years of Australia's famous family-owned fashion empire (realcommercial.com.au, 2025) · search the archive · Founders: '50% of our products' made in Australia, the other half offshore; 100% family-owned; six stores; still trading.
- Manning Cartell founders interview (WHO, January 2026) · search the archive · Still manufactures many of its pieces in Australia with local makers; no factories or offshore countries named.
- The CEO Magazine: Vanessa Manning interview (2016) · search the archive · In 2016 85% of product was manufactured in Australia (cut and made in Sydney); ECA accredited since 2012; eight boutiques plus David Jones concessions.
Published by Manning Cartell or its owner
- Manning Cartell official store · search the archive · Brand still trading in 2026 with Australian boutiques, click and collect and online delivery in Australia; no production or ethics information on the site.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Manning Cartell ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/manning-cartell, last researched 3 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 Manning Cartell.
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