Clingy

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Creative bags and accessories made from recycled and reclaimed materials

Made in Australia

Recycled Materials

Upcycled

Deadstock Fabrics

Clingy is a Sydney based brand creating experimental bags and accessories from reclaimed, recycled and innovative materials. Each piece is handmade by the founder and produced as a one off or in very small batches, meaning no two items are exactly the same. The aesthetic is playful and unconventional, often combining unusual textures, bold shapes and unexpected material combinations. Sustainability sits at the centre of the brand’s approach, with a focus on rescuing discarded textiles and giving them new life through design.

Melbourne, VIC

Sizes –

Est. 2020

$$$

Manufactured in: Melbourne, Australia

Meet the Founder(s)

Isobel Murray is the designer and maker behind Clingy. She studied maths and worked as a data analyst for several years, but always felt drawn to making and working with textiles. During the Covid lockdown she began sewing bags from her bedroom, experimenting with reclaimed fabrics and unusual materials. The project quickly grew into Clingy, which she now runs as a one woman studio. Isobel creates every piece herself and treats the brand as an ongoing creative experiment. Her goal is to explore new materials, reduce textile waste and encourage people to form stronger emotional connections with the things they own.

Brand Values

People

Clingy is a one-woman studio run by Isobel Murray, who designs and makes each piece herself in Australia.

Many materials come from reclaimed textiles sourced from op shops, charity stores and deadstock suppliers. Reusing existing materials aligns with circular economy principles. Extending the life of textiles can reduce demand for new manufacturing, which is often linked to labour exploitation and unsafe working conditions in parts of the global fashion industry. However, because these textiles are reclaimed, there is limited visibility into how they were originally produced.

When new materials are required, the brand states it prefers natural fibres that are sustainably farmed and seeks out responsible manufacturers. One example is Piñatex, a textile made from pineapple leaf fibres, an agricultural by-product of pineapple farming. Producing this fibre can provide an additional income stream for farming communities. The brand also notes that it continues to learn more about their suppliers.

As a small independent operation, there are no third-party ethical certifications or factory audits listed. Production is carried out directly by the founder. Clingy acknowledges it is not perfect but aims to operate in a way that respects the resources and communities involved.

Environment

Clingy follows a slow fashion approach focused on reducing waste through material choices. The brand prioritises reclaimed and second-hand textiles, sourcing fabrics from op shops, charity stores and deadstock suppliers. These materials are then upcycled into one-of-a-kind bags and accessories.

When reclaimed fabrics are not suitable, Clingy uses recycled or natural fibres where possible. This includes innovative materials such as Piñatex, made from pineapple leaf fibres, an agricultural by-product that would otherwise go to waste. Although noting that there is a small amount of plastic that goes into production of Piñatex and it is not fully biodegradable. Smaller components are also considered. Some pieces use recycled YKK zips, recycled PET sequins and organic cotton labels, digitally printed with water-based inks to reduce water and chemical use.

Packaging is kept simple. Orders are wrapped in tissue paper, placed in reusable calico dust bags and shipped in recycled kraft mailers. Fabric scraps are saved for future projects where possible, and studio waste such as thread spools, broken needles and printer cartridges is recycled.

Each product page lists the exact materials used, including whether fabrics are second-hand, deadstock or reclaimed. This level of detail provides strong transparency about what goes into every piece.

Animals

Clingy does use some animal-derived materials, such as wool. However, no public information is provided about animal welfare standards or sourcing for these materials.