30 Leading Companies of the Year 2025

Outland Denim: Ethical Fashion, Timeless Style

By connecting quality fashion with meaningful social outcomes, Outland Denim demonstrates that a brand can succeed commercially while making a difference in the lives of workers and communities globally.

By SBR
Dec 8, 2025 8:40 PM Updated December 15, 2025
James Bartle, Founding CEO, Outland Denim Photo by SBR

James Bartle, Founding CEO, Outland Denim


Outland Denim is a fashion brand that produces premium denim and offers thoughtfully designed products, creating garments that appeal to consumers who seek high-quality clothing while supporting ethical practices. The company designs, sources, and manufactures its products with ethical practices at every stage, emphasizing craftsmanship and partnerships that uphold transparency, accountability, and purpose-driven fashion. This focus has helped Outland Denim cultivate a loyal following of shoppers who value quality and integrity in every purchase.

The Origins of Outland Denim

Outland was founded on high ground, both ethically and geographically. Born on an Australian mountaintop and made with the makers in mind, the brand’s origins emerged from a meeting of passion and purpose, sparked by James, who conceived a plan to provide meaningful work to young women after learning about human trafficking. Fast forward a few years, and James was in a café in Cambodia with bolts of denim, scissors, and cardboard cutouts, figuring out how to create a top-notch pair of jeans, all while skeptics warned him that fashion was a terrible industry to enter. Those warnings proved true, as the fashion industry is often wasteful, hazardous to human health, environmentally damaging, and a contributor to exploitation.

Determined to do better, James and the early Outlanders sourced sustainable materials and established a dedicated wash house to produce denim responsibly without polluting the Earth. Their dedication to high-quality jeans, attention to craftsmanship, and commitment to ethical production gradually evolved into a growing collection of timeless denim and complementary apparel. Outland became the first Australian, and second global, denim brand to earn B Corp certification, reflecting its rigorous social and environmental standards.

Beyond the garments themselves, Outland’s mission connects customers to meaningful impact. Every pair of jeans contributes to ethical employment, skill development, and sustainable production, allowing buyers to feel good about both the product and the people who create it. The brand’s commitment to transparency, quality, and purpose positions it at the forefront of socially responsible fashion, proving that premium denim can be both stylish and transformative.

Ethical Manufacturing Practices

Outland Denim produces denim with a focus on responsible manufacturing, ensuring that each stage from fabric sourcing to final stitching meets high ethical standards. The company partners with workshops that provide secure environments, mentorship, and structured learning programs, giving employees the chance to gain experience while contributing to high-quality products. The fabrics used are selected for durability, comfort, and style, while minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact. By maintaining these standards, Outland Denim creates garments that are both fashionable and functional, aligning with the preferences of consumers who value ethical production and sustainable practices.

Skill Development Through Employment

The company emphasizes meaningful employment, offering training in sewing, finishing, quality control, and other technical skills. Employees gain experience that opens doors to future opportunities while contributing to the production of premium denim. Outland Denim invests in mentorship, transparent wage structures, and recognition of achievements, creating environments where employees can grow, take pride in their work, and acquire transferable skills. Each purchase allows consumers to participate in this cycle of skill development, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to ethical practices while fostering tangible social benefits.

Design That Appeals Globally

Outland Denim creates garments that resonate with a wide range of consumers by balancing contemporary trends with timeless quality. Every pair of jeans combines style, comfort, and durability, appealing to fashion-conscious shoppers while remaining functional for everyday wear. The brand emphasizes detail, from stitching to fit to fabric weight, ensuring products hold their shape and polish over time. Marketing efforts highlight the stories behind the products, connecting design to mission, and partnerships with retailers and online platforms allow the brand to reach consumers who value ethical fashion globally.

Consumer Awareness and Education

Beyond producing jeans, Outland Denim engages customers through education about ethical fashion, responsible consumption, and sustainable practices. Resources on garment care, material sourcing, and the people behind the products enhance the purchase experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and the brand’s mission. Social media and online platforms provide insight into production processes and employee stories, while events, collaborations, and campaigns reinforce the brand’s dedication to ethical fashion, helping buyers understand the broader context of their purchases while enjoying high-quality products.

Sustainability and Long-Term Vision

Sustainability is embedded in every stage of production, from fabric selection to retail operations. Fabrics, dyes, and finishes are chosen to minimize waste and reduce harmful chemicals, producing garments built to last. Outland Denim works with suppliers who uphold labor and environmental standards, reinforcing accountability throughout the supply chain. By refining production techniques and reducing resource consumption, the company ensures its operations align with evolving standards and consumer expectations. This consistent focus demonstrates that premium fashion can coexist with meaningful social impact, strengthening trust among shoppers and creating garments that reflect style, purpose, and responsibility.

Fashion That Creates Opportunity

Outland Denim delivers fashion that tells a story of skill, craftsmanship, and opportunity, producing garments that meet premium standards while engaging consumers with transparency and ethical practices. Each product reflects careful design and purpose, allowing customers to support initiatives that promote fair employment, skill development, and ethical manufacturing. By connecting quality fashion with meaningful social outcomes, Outland Denim demonstrates that a brand can succeed commercially while making a difference in the lives of workers and communities globally.

James Bartle, Founding CEO, Outland Denim

Outland Denim designs, sources, and manufactures its products with ethical practices at every stage, emphasizing craftsmanship and partnerships that uphold transparency, accountability, and purpose-driven fashion.

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