About PaletTheory
Art, ethics and swimwear with a story
PaletTheory was created from a simple belief: what we wear should mean something
 |
I'm Charlotte, co-founder of PaletTheory. I grew up in France with an appreciation for art, craftsmanship and timeless design, then built a career in industrial engineering after moving to Australia in 2008. Working with production systems showed me how much waste can sit behind the things we buy. Overproduction, excess inventory and a constant drive to make more. PaletTheory is my way of doing things differently. |
Art first
Every print starts with an artist's work
Made to order
No excess inventory or unsold stock
Worth keeping
Designed for years of wear, not one season
Royalties
Paid to ongoing artist collaborators on every piece sold
Where art meets swimwear
Our collections begin with art.
We collaborate with artists to transform their work into detailed textile prints, preserving the colour, movement and character of the original artwork. Artists are credited for their work, and every collaboration is established with their permission under a written commercial agreement.
The result is swimwear with a story, designed to connect you with the artwork you are wearing.
Made to order
Most of our range is made to order.
Instead of producing large quantities based on predicted demand, we make pieces when they are ordered. This helps us avoid excess inventory, unnecessary production and unsold stock.
It takes a little longer, but we believe producing what is actually needed makes more sense.
Materials and making
We choose our fabrics for performance, comfort, durability and environmental impact.
Fabric composition varies by product and by where your order is made. The exact composition is listed on each product page.
We recognise that synthetic fabrics are not impact-free. Our approach is to combine considered material choices with made-to-order production and products designed for repeated wear. We focus on what we can control: making to order, and making pieces worth keeping and wearing for years.
Where it's made
| Australia and most countries | Made to order in Mexico |
| Europe | Made to order in Latvia |
| Fabric | Knitted and dyed in Mexico, Spain or China, depending on the style |
| Wide leg pants, cover-ups and swim trunks | Made to order by a separate supplier in China |
Certifications
Our fabric is certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 (certificate 2023OK0792, Aitex), meaning it has been tested for harmful substances.
The fabrics on our swimsuits meet limits for formaldehyde, azo dyes, lead, cadmium, bisphenols and phthalates.
Our main production partner
About our Production Partner
Around 90% of our products are made by a print-on-demand manufacturer with its own production facilities, including in Mexico and Latvia. Here is what their latest sustainability report says about how they operate.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Applies to all supply chain partners, with dedicated policies on forced labour, child labour, anti-corruption, the environment and chemicals.
Independent supply chain checks
A Sedex member, using SMETA ethical audits on selected in-house facilities and assessing suppliers through Sedex and Esgrid.
Pay above living wage
Average salaries were 127% of the living wage in Mexico and 174% in Latvia in 2024. Living wage is higher than minimum wage, and ensures minimum living costs are covered.
Restricted substances
Enforced limits on lead, cadmium, azo dyes, formaldehyde and phthalates, backed by accredited third-party lab testing.
Recycled packaging
Apparel shipped from their facilities is packed in bags made from post-consumer recycled plastic.
Measuring their footprint
Emissions are tracked across all three scopes. 39% of their electricity came from renewable sources in 2024, with a goal of net zero by 2050.
They are also open about what still needs work. Fabric offcuts from all-over print production are one of their notable waste streams.
Designed to last and worth looking after
We believe longevity starts with making something worth keeping.
Our prints start with art, not seasonal trend forecasts. An artwork doesn't become obsolete when a fashion season ends. Our aim is to create something you value, take care of and want to wear for years, rather than a cheap, disposable piece of fashion.
We pair this with quality fabrics, supportive construction and designs made for repeated wear.
People and artists
We believe the people involved in creating PaletTheory should be treated fairly and with respect.
Our manufacturing partners are expected to provide safe working conditions and comply with applicable labour and employment laws, including requirements relating to child labour, forced labour and discrimination.
Artists are credited alongside their designs. Artists in our ongoing collaborations are paid a royalty on every piece sold that carries their work.
A more thoughtful way to produce
We don't claim that making clothing has no environmental impact.
Instead, we focus on practical ways to reduce unnecessary impact: making to demand, avoiding excess inventory, choosing materials carefully, designing for longevity and creating products people have a reason to value and keep.
We will continue to improve and publish more information about our materials, manufacturing, supply chain and environmental impact as PaletTheory grows.
Wear art. Know its story.
PaletTheory brings together art, thoughtful production and swimwear designed to be kept, not consumed for a season.