‘We felt it was really important to support our country’: Sisters’ fire up small business fashion

Two sisters are doing their part to take on so-called fast fashion with 100 per cent locally made garments. Discover their brand.

Two Gold Coast sisters are doing their part to boycott “fast fashion” with their 100 per cent locally made garments.

Gold Coast based brand Zarfie, is set to launch their newest collection on April 26th at 10am AEST, exclusively via their online store. Co-owners, sisters and designers Juliet Trotta and Maria Trotta with some of their designs. Picture Glenn Hampson

In an effort to support local women in business, co-owners and designers Maria Trotta, 29 and Juliet Trotta, 26 launched their brand Zarfie online in September 2023. The pair are now gearing up to launch their biggest collection to date on April 26.

Inspired by their Italian tailor grandparents, the duo said ethical trade and being part of the process the whole way through on their garments was at the forefront of their business ethos.

They wanted to avoid the fast fashion concept of designs sent off to be mass-produced and handled elsewhere.

“We felt it was really important to support our country,” Maria said.

“Our aim was and is to support Australian people in business and Australian made fashion.”

The pair who studied at TAFE Queensland said the practical, “hands-on” training approach gave them the passion and confidence to take their skills to the real world.

Gold Coast based brand Zarfie, is set to launch their newest collection on April 26th at 10am AEST, exclusively via their online store. Co-owners, sisters and designers Juliet Trotta and Maria Trotta with some of their designs. Picture Glenn Hampson

They now buy from fabric suppliers across Australia while working alongside seamstresses and pattern makers based on the Gold Coast, allowing them to perfect designs throughout the entire process, Juilet said.

“With a lot of fast fashion you design something then hope for the best with the end product – you don’t get to be there every step of the way to make sure it’s perfect and made for a real body,” she said.

“There’s so much talent in Australia so we love the idea of championing that through our brand.”