Steele
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Melbourne womenswear label known for printed dresses.
There's no proof Steele pays more than the legal minimum, which in China and Hong Kong is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain in high-risk countries. 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 rightsMost of its products are made in China, Hong Kong and India, 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, mostly 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
Steele says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Hong Kong | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Low |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
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 Steele says its garments are made by long-standing partners in India, China and Hong Kong, with no split by country. Since 2024 it has worked with Creatnet Services, a co-design and manufacturing studio in India, in a partnership it says has become shared ownership. It names no other factories and publishes no supplier list, code of conduct, audit results or living wage commitment, is not ECA accredited and has no modern slavery statement or Ethical Fashion Report rating. Cotton is assumed as a main fibre.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Unclear | Steele is not graded in the Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not covered | No modern slavery statement from Steele appears on the Australian register; as a small business it is likely below the reporting threshold. View |
| Ethical Clothing Australia | Unclear | Steele is not listed in the Ethical Clothing Australia brand directory. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- How Steele founder Jessica Reid scored an exclusive deal with Myer (SmartCompany) · search the archive · Steele employs an internal team of around 10 and works with a broader network for production; no factory or country named.
- Steele celebrates decade in business with debut flagship (Ragtrader) · search the archive · Founder Jessica Reid; flagship and headquarters Steele House in Hawthorn; no sourcing details given.
- Myer acquires new label (Ragtrader, 2016) · search the archive · Steele womenswear label known for prints, sold through Myer and about 80 stockists.
- Steele House opening (Onya Magazine, 2022) · search the archive · Melbourne label founded by Jessica Reid selling elevated daywear; no information on where garments are made.
Published by Steele or its owner
- From The Founder, Jessica Reid (Steele global site) · search the archive · Garments are made by dedicated partners in India, China and Hong Kong; founded in Melbourne in 2010
- About (Steele) · search the archive · In 2024 joined with Creatnet Services, a co-design and manufacturing studio in India; partnership evolved into shared ownership
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Steele ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/steele, last researched 3 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 Steele.