Epson strengthens its commitment to The Social Outfit and Refugee Week 2026
Announcement posted by Epson Australia 16 Jun 2026
Epson has strengthened its commitment to social impact this Refugee Week 2026 via its extended partnership with The Social Outfit, the Sydney-based social enterprise and fashion label that supports refugee and migrant women through employment, training and education opportunities in the Australian fashion industry.
Guests gathered to celebrate the launch event
Timed with Refugee Week from Sunday 14 June to Saturday 20 June 2026, the extended collaboration will raise awareness of The Social Outfit's flagship First Things First fundraising campaign and spotlight the role technology can play in advancing ethical manufacturing, local production and meaningful employment pathways.
The partnership began during Refugee Week 2025, when Epson supported The Social Outfit's Wear the Change fundraising campaign through immersive projection installations, in-store activations and event support designed to help raise awareness and funds for refugee and migrant women entering the workforce.
The Social Outfit Chief Executive Amy Low Officer speaks at the launch
Since then, the collaboration has evolved through a series of creative, sustainability-led and community-focused activations.
Highlights include a growing slate of storytelling and textile-based initiatives such as The Social Outfit's Sama community print collection produced using Epson's Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric printing technology, alongside large-format print, visual display installations, campaign imagery and event activations that bring The Social Outfit's stories and collections to life.
Musician Agum performs for attendees at the launch event
This year, Epson's support for First Things First underscores the urgency and impact of The Social Outfit's mission. The campaign raises funds for non-profit programs that help women from refugee and new migrant backgrounds secure first jobs, build skills through training and access long-term employment pathways across fashion and retail.
These women face systemic barriers to work and The Social Outfit creates opportunities that recognise their skills, build financial independence and open doors to careers across the industry.
The Social Outfit's CEO Amy Low said, "We are delighted that Epson is extending its partnership with The Social Outfit, further committing to Refugee Week and supporting First Things First in so many valuable ways. Everyone remembers their first job and First Things First turns that first step into a sustainable pathway."
The Social Outfit's goal is to raise $100,000 during Refugee Week to fund training programs that help participants build careers, earn income and participate fully in Australian life.
Donations can be made at www.firstthingsfirst.thesocialoutfit.org
As part of the partnership, Epson will support First Things First through donation matching on one day during the campaign and by providing print production and creative support across retail and event spaces to help bring the campaign to life and broaden its reach.
This practical backing complements the technology already at the heart of the collaboration where Epson's textile and visual solutions help transform community-designed artworks and narratives into quality garments and immersive experiences that resonate with consumers and the fashion community alike.
Together, Epson and The Social Outfit continue to demonstrate how technology, fashion and creativity can align to support ethical manufacturing, local production and meaningful employment pathways for refugee and migrant women in Australia.
Epson A/NZ MD Craig Heckenberg added, "By pairing Epson's industry-leading printing and display solutions with The Social Outfit's community-driven design ethos, our partnership shows what's possible when brands and social enterprises collaborate for long-term impact, during Refugee Week and beyond."
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About Epson, Epson Australia and Epson New Zealand
Epson is a technology innovation and engineering company whose philosophy of efficient, compact, and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company uses technology and engineering ability to implement real-world solutions in precision innovation, industrial & robotics, office & home printing, and visual & lifestyle.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1.3 trillion.
Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983, Epson Australia is headquartered in North Sydney and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
Epson New Zealand offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is a market leader in New Zealand, Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Epson New Zealand is headquartered in Auckland and is a branch of Epson Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
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