Perfect Stranger
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 5 sources
Australian brand selling affordable trend-led women's clothing.
Perfect Stranger scored 22/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, and there's no proof it pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report 22/100 in 2026). 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 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China and India.
- 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
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listPublishes its supplier 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: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report 22/100 (2026)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
China has the largest share, 97%. India is next, at 3%.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 97% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Publishes supplier list
- Modern slavery statement
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- 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 Perfect Stranger is one of Universal Store's private brands, made by 34 independent factories, 33 in China and one in India, all audited (mostly SMETA or amfori BSCI) in FY25; the audits found mainly health and safety problems, unpaid wages or social insurance, and excessive hours. It names a Jiangsu, China partner with 66 workers that makes much of its woven range. The group publishes a factory list and bans Xinjiang cotton, but has no living wage commitment or worker grievance hotline, and the brand scored 22/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Problem found | Perfect Stranger, one of Universal Store Holdings' labels, scored 22 out of 100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, from public information only (group 37 in 2024). View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Covered by Universal Store Holdings' FY25 modern slavery statement: 34 private-brand factories (33 China, 1 India), all with SMETA, amfori BSCI or similar audits. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Ethical Fashion Guide 2026 (Baptist World Aid) · search the archive · 2026 Ethical Fashion Report: Perfect Stranger (Universal Store Holdings) 22/100, score from public information only
- Universal Store - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Ethical Fashion Report 2024 score 37/100 vs 31.3 average
- Perfect Stranger opens first ever Victorian store (Ragtrader) · search the archive · Australian women's fashion label owned by Universal Store Holdings
Published by Perfect Stranger or its owner
- Universal Store Holdings Modern Slavery Statement 2025 · search the archive · 19 Perfect Stranger stores; private-brand factories China 33, India 1; 100% tier 1 audited; audit findings; no living wage or hotline
- Sustainability - Perfect Stranger · search the archive · Jiangsu, China partner since 2019 with 66 workers and BSCI audit; 100% tier 1 audited annually; OCS and GRS certified
Company details
- Owned by
- Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX-listed; also owns Universal Store and Cheap Thrills Cartel)
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Perfect Stranger ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/perfect-stranger, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded everyday fashion
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Perfect Stranger.