Before the new year gathers momentum, we wanted to pause and reflect on what has been a deeply meaningful year for Nancybird. Since we began in 2002, we’ve grown slowly and deliberately, guided by the belief that thoughtful design, respect for people and care for the planet can sit at the heart of business. This year felt like a continuation of that long journey, shaped by creativity, connection and collective effort. Emily x

One of our proudest moments this year was achieving B Corp certification, meeting the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

For our small team of nine women based in Melbourne, this milestone represents years of considered decisions — from how we source materials and work with makers, to how we support our community and environment. It gives us a clear framework to understand where we’re doing well, and where we can do better.

We also continue to support 1% for the Planet, contribute a percentage of our gross sales each year, and remain active members of Seamless Clothing Stewardship and Textile Exchange.

With this framework now in place, we’re excited about what comes next. Over the coming year, we’re working towards:

1. Launching Nancybird Renew, extending the life of our products
2. Increasing our use of certified materials (GOTS, FSC, LWG) by 10%
3. Reducing freight-related carbon emissions by 25% over 2 years, shifting to more sea freight and less air freight
4. Transitioning our artisan handwoven yarns to GOTS-certified organic cotton

Our next B Corp assessment will be in February 2028, and we’re committed to making improvements across every part of our business along the way.
You can read more in our Impact Report.

Art and artists remain at the heart of Nancybird. This year, alongside working with an inspiring group of collaborators, I spent time painting artwork for our seasonal capsules and bedding, as well as developing in-house prints that our team brings to life together in the studio.

Our first artist collaboration of the year with Neil Tomkins saw us step into his emotive, richly layered landscapes — works that explore how we connect to place and the world around us.

We were also proud to work with Louise Frith, whose artwork is deeply informed by her early experiences of the Australian bush. Her expressive flannel flowers resonated strongly with our community, bringing softness and familiarity to the collection. It quickly became one of our most-loved collaborations.

In spring, we collaborated with flower farmer and talented ceramic artist Janae Paquin-Bowden. Her hand-built vases, painted tiles and floral motifs are inspired by the flowers she grows, and it was wonderful to be part of her beautiful world.

This summer also held deep meaning through our collaboration with artists from Mparntwe / Alice Springs, including the late Kumantjai M. Wheeler and Selma Coulthard.

Our team travelled to Mparntwe, spending time at Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, we were fortunate to meet the very talented Kumantjai M. Wheeler, photographing his paintings and later visiting Simpson’s Gap with his family. It was an honour to share time together and to help bring these powerful works into much-loved pieces that carry stories into summer and beyond.

As we look back, we feel so much gratitude, for every artist and maker who trusted us with their work, our very hard working team and for our community who continue to support slow, considered fashion.

This year has been both a celebration of how we’ve always worked and a commitment to keep improving, putting people and planet first.

Thank you for being part of the journey and for the many ways you bring Nancybird into your life, dresses for special moments, art woven into the everyday and bags that grow more beautiful with time. Your thoughtful choices mean more to us than ever.

With love,
Emily and the Nancybird team