A Tail of Apawrel
Sustainably Made. Pawfectly Fitted. Worn with Pride.
Apawrel was formally founded in Melbourne in 2024, but the idea had been pawing at our heels for years. It all began with two dogs who just wouldn’t fit the mold – one too floofy, the other too lean – and a sea of mass-produced petwear that simply didn’t cut it. So, armed with a sewing machine, scissors, and a stash of old fabric, we started crafting custom pieces that fit our pups (and our values).
But this was never just about better-fitting coats. Apawrel was born from a deeper drive to flip fast fashion on its head and do something meaningful about the growing mountain of textile waste. Every stitch is a stand against throwaway culture, proving that style and sustainability can live side by side – and that change often starts with a single thread
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Our Tail Begins…
Like many of us during the long, strange days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apawrel's founder turned to sewing as a way to stay grounded, reconnecting with making things by hand as a way to cope in uncertain times. What started as a way to stay active indoors quickly turned into something more meaningful: crafting one-of-a-kind dog wear for her own pups, who’d never found a perfect fit in store-bought clothes.
But it wasn’t just about fit - it was about purpose.
Seeing how much perfectly good fabric was being tossed out, from baby blankets to worn-out jeans, I began to wonder: Could this “waste” have a second life? Could it actually become something useful, playful, and planet-friendly? Spoiler alert: it could. And it did!
That’s how Apawrel was born: out of necessity, creativity, and a whole lot of love.
What We Believe In...
At our core, we’re about giving things, and creatures, a second chance.
We create handcrafted, sustainable pet apparel and accessories using rescued fabrics that were destined for landfill. Think: doona covers, old shirts, thrifted treasures, offcuts, broken leads… We turn them into practical, beautiful pieces designed for real dogs who roll in mud, chase sticks, and nap like champs.
Everything is made right here in Melbourne, with purpose and paws-on attention to detail. This isn’t just about fashion (though we do love a well-dressed hound). It’s about pushing back on wasteful systems and showing that small, thoughtful choices—like upcycling fabric or choosing quality over convenience—can make a big difference.
Our Mission
At Apawrel, we turn textile waste into tail-wagging treasures. Our mission is simple: to create sustainable, custom-fit pet wear that champions circular fashion, celebrates the deep bond between pups and their people, and keeps fabric out of landfill. One paw-fect piece at a time.
Why Fast Fashion Doesn't Sit Right With Us...
We all love a good bargain - but fast fashion comes at a hidden cost.
It drains resources, pollutes waterways, and floods the planet with synthetic fabrics that never truly break down.
Even when you donate your clothes, many of them still end up in landfill or shipped offshore as waste.
And don’t even get us started on microplastics. Those tiny bits shed from synthetic clothes. They're sneaky. They end up in our oceans, our food chain - and yep, even in our dogs.
That just doesn’t sit right with us.
So, we’re flipping the script. Instead of making more stuff from scratch, we rescue, repurpose and reimagine what already exists. We make apparel that fits, that lasts, and that lightens our collective pawprint.
What we stand for...
Sustainability
We say no to fast fashion, and yes to thoughtful reuse. Every product keeps something out of landfill - and brings something new to life.
Quality
Dogs don’t tiptoe. That’s why we design gear built for muddy trails, salty swims, and couch cuddles. Durability meets wag-worthy style
Guardianship
Inspired by the Hawaiian concept of 'kahu' (/guardian), we honour the deep bond between dogs and their humans. Our pieces are made with that connection in mind.
community
We give back through donations, local collaborations, and programs that encourage upcycling, not waste. Got a broken leash or torn tee? We’ll turn it into something pawsome.
From Our Pack to Yours
From late-night sewing sessions and muddy market stalls to creating custom coats from vintage flannel and community give-back drives, Apawrel is stitched with care and purpose. We’re not here to chase trends. We’re here to make a difference – one jacket, one tug toy, pup at a time. We’ve learned a lot from every ripped seam and wagging tail, growing stitch by stitch with care. We’re proud to create custom-fit, eco-friendly pet wear that doesn’t cost the earth
And we’re just getting started.
Thanks for supporting a business that believes in second chances, muddy walks, and making things better: for dogs, for people, and for the planet. Let’s walk a better path, one pawprint at a time.
Apawrel
Rewear. Reuse. Ruff it in style.