This article was updated September 2024
DHARMA BUMS is an Australian yoga and activewear fashion label with a difference. Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and established in 2013, DHARMA BUMS is an extremely ethical brand, devoted to delivering high quality and ethically produced clothing, with the belief that everyone has the right to an adventurous and rewarding life doing what they love.
Why we love Dharma Bums activewear
DHARMA BUMS is passionate about being transparent and open in all of its endeavours. For too long the yoga and activewear clothing community was controlled and bullied by large corporations, shunning the principles of yoga by producing garments in poverty-inducing third-world factories. This is how DHARMA BUMS is different. Its clothing is designed, printed and ethically produced completely in Australia. All pieces are available to all body shapes and promotional imagery is never airbrushed.
DHARMA BUMS collections are compiled with maximum print, colour and design individuality, perfect for active individuals who want to wear something that stands them out from the crowd. Strong patterns and bright prints are the DHARMA BUMS key visual points of difference.
The DHARMA BUMS ‘fit’ has been perfected based on customer requests and caters for a range of body shapes, sizes and individual preferences. There is both a high and regular waist fit available in a variety of prints and styles.
Dharma Bums: An ethical Aussie business
DHARMA BUMS was founded by yoga teacher and fashion designer Debbie Lawson. After two decades in the fashion industry, Lawson decided to fight back against corporations’ reliance on third-world factories after witnessing them for herself, and in turn, created a brand that sits apart from competitors.
“I was able to see first-hand the conditions of the factories, the long working hours and the staggeringly low salaries paid to the workers. These salaries are not enough to take any of the employees out of poverty. They are not enough to feed, clothe or provide for a family,” she said.
“The minimum wage in a country like Bangladesh, which is where many leading retailers source from, was $68 per month. The result of such low salaries mean every family member is forced to work, often when they are still children. Of course, all companies insist they have a strong policy against child labour but this is very hard, if not impossible, to police.
Many of the factories simply ensure the child labour is not visible to the companies who place orders with them.
Dharma Bums works closely with their manufacturers, all of whom are Australian,” said Debbie.
High standards and high performance activewear
In the same way the yoga community has embraced Dharma Bums for functional on trend collections, Dharma Bums has applied their high standard and ethical onshore manufacturing to create high performance activewear and barre offerings, with specific features and garment tech relevant to each particular work out.
Performance focused activewear
Embracing the global ‘aesthleisure’ phenomenon, Dharma Bums performance-driven leggings and bras are sleek and stylish. The DBX Performance Compression Leggings feature technologically advanced fabric that is non-shear, seam-free, breathable and offers four way compression stretch for full movement and muscle support, with design details including mesh-insert paneling and just launched prints including digital floral and contrast marble for statement-making workout wear.
Activewear designed for Barre
Bend and stretch in Dharma Bums’ ultra-feminine Barre collection of bras and leggings, which allow total freedom of movement without compromising on support and style. Collection highlights include the Barre 7/8 tights with crisscross calf strap detailing and Wrap Around 7/8 tie sides allowing your inner ballerina to shine, while fully breathable moisture management fabric ensures they take you effortlessly from the Barre studio.
The Bliss and Qi bras offer complete comfort with crisscross straps and front rouche detail to be worn alone or as a layering piece under Dharma Bums bamboo cotton t-shirt and twist back singlets. Dharma Bums bras feature removable padding and triple lining offering complete support.
Dharma Bums Yoga clothing
The first category to be launched by Dharma Bums continues to deliver a progressive collection including the ultimate yoga legging, bras, tops and relaxed pants.
Dharma Bums’ ultimate yoga leggings are soft and luxuriant against the skin with four way stretch fabric allowing the legging to hug and move with the body. The moisture wicking, breathable quick drying fabric with flat lock seam detailing ensures extra durability and comfort when holding pose.
With DHARMA BUMS, consumers have the option to take an ethical stance whilst wearing stylish, high performance activewear garments that are produced ethically, onshore, in Australia; a world away from the 60 per cent of the clothing that is produced in third world factories. DHARMA BUMS is available online.
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