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Introduction

As the founder of the indigenous fashion business 'Dreamtime Couture' the business initiative that I wish to promote is the use of both sustainable and ethical materials in the production of our indigenous-inspired art and clothing. I believe that the reason for this business plan is due to the leadership qualities that I try and display in the leadership of the business, these qualities include a strong motivation to be sustainable, a passion for social justice, an expression of community development and the motivation to try and preserve indigenous culture through the expression of fashion. I truly believe that the current fashion industry is one that disrespects the sanctity of nature in its quest to produce clothing "Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams"(Environmental sustainability in the fashion industry 2023)

The indigenous perspective of the world is for us as humans to be one with the environment, to be dependant on the environment for survival but for the environment to be dependent on us to survive as well (The Australian Curriculum 2023)

As such being a fashion industry that holds strong Aboriginal and Torres strait islander beliefs of the environment it would be hypocritical and unethical to contribute to the large waste that comes with working in the fashion industry.

Through this initiative, I aim to generate a positive social impact business by empowering Australian indigenous communities whilst also promoting and preserving indigenous cultures and practising sustainable development.

Operations Issues

One of the issues involved with the development of this business is the understanding and prioritisation of stakeholders within the business development, and the ethical norms and overall principles that need to be focused on and implemented into the business practice. In the traditional fashion industry, the major stakeholders include the Suppliers, Designers, Retailers, government agencies and customers (Rahman, 2023) but with the added aspect of the business being an indigenous fashion business there are added stakeholders such as the indigenous people and also the environment. In this business situation the biggest stakeholders are the indigenous communities, followed by the environment, then consumers, retailers, government industries and then the fashion. Industry. The initiatives that the business is trying to promote champion ethical and sustainable practices in the fashion industry that promote social justice, environmental responsibility and community development, these practices will also challenge the common trend in the fashion industry of cheap labour, animal cruelty and environmental negligence in the production of fashion and beauty products. Due to the "fast fashion" (Fast fashion, 2023) that is being marketed by many businesses in the industry, it is becoming more and more common for Australians to purchase more and more clothing, Clean up Australia states that "Australians buy an average of 56 new items, every year" (Fast fashion, 2023) it is because of the constantly changing fashion trends that this industry is producing close to 23 Kg of landfill each year. (Fast Fashion, 2023) This then brings up the question of what should be the ethical norms that need to be championed in this business, by whom on Whom. As stated, before the ethical norms that will be practised are sustainable, social responsibilities and the need for cultural preservation and the need for fair labour practices. The business has generated these ethical principles by looking at common ethical violations that are found in this industry. There are high levels of human exploitation within the fashion industry and as such organisations such as 'Fashion Revolution' wish to "end to human and environmental exploitation in the global fashion industry" (Fashion Revolution) Operating in this industry will call forth the need for these social needs in order to make sure that the business is being as ethical as possible.

The Application of Responsible Leadership Theory:

The initiative is responsible because it promotes sustainable fashion practices that minimize environmental impact. It also promotes fair labor practices and cultural preservation, thereby prioritizing social responsibility and ethical practices. The initiative aims to produce a positive impact on both the environment and society, which aligns with the principles of responsible leadership.

b. How will your initiative lead to positive social change? The initiative will lead to positive social change by promoting the use of sustainable materials and ethical practices in fashion production, which will have a positive impact on the environment and society. It will also allow for job opportunities for indigenous people, thereby empowering them economically. Moreover, the promotion of indigenous culture and traditions through fashion will increase awareness and appreciation of indigenous culture and traditions among customers and consumers, thereby promoting cultural preservation and diversity. This follows the key aspects of being a responsible leader "Responsible Leadership Theory"Doh and Quigly (2014) demonstrate how organizational processes and outcomes are influenced by responsible leadership". By being a leader who is responsible in the social and environmental aspects of the business it will allow for a greater public response from the majority of the stakeholders including consumers, shareholder and the fashion industry.(Maak & Pless, 2021)

The measurable targets of the initiative include:

• The use of sustainable materials and ethical practices in 100% of the fashion products produced by the business
• The employment of a minimum of 50% indigenous people in the business
• The promotion of indigenous culture and traditions through fashion, with at least 30% of the fashion products showcasing indigenous designs and styles
• A reduction of at least 50% in the environmental impact of fashion production, through the use of sustainable materials and practices
• Empower at least 10 indigenous communities to participate in the production and benefits of production from the value chain within 5 years.

Whilst this business needs to produce profits in order for them to produce profits and keep shareholders happy, the business is also focussing on the Aboriginal sense of community within its targets and goals. These initiatives help to prop up the economic side of the Aboriginal work force by bringing job opportunities to different aboriginal communities but it also helps to build a sense of community within these communities. The government publication titled 'Connection to the community' expresses the importance of community within indigenous society stating that "Previous research has shown that being connected to community builds a sense of cultural identity which can reduce suicide" (Calma et al., 2017)

By having these targets to measure the progress of the business, it is keeping the company social to protect and promote the skills and needs of the Aboriginal communities in Australia. Having measurable goals for the business becomes important for running a successful business "Simple principles that need to be followed to ensure that the goals are set in a well-synchronized manner so that the whole system moves together and contributes to a common objective" \(Kuma 2022) These business objectives will allow the business to strive for social change in the aboriginal community, the Australian Institute of health and welfare has stated that in 2018-2019 only 30% of indigenous Australians were employed full-time (Indigenous employment 2023) By employing almost 50% of aboriginal employees at "Dreamtime Couture" it will allow for employment benefits and incentives for these employees, resulting in better living conditions for those employed at the business.

n conclusion, the establishment of an indigenous fashion business that promotes sustainable materials and ethical practices, cultural preservation, and fair labour practices has the potential to produce positive social change. The initiative aligns with the principles of responsible leadership and promotes sustainability and social responsibility in the fashion industry. The measurable targets of the initiative demonstrate a commitment to achieving these goals, which will make a positive impact on both the environment and society. As the founder of the business, my leadership qualities and commitment to social responsibility and cultural preservation will ensure the success and impact of the initiative.

In conclusion, my proposed indigenous fashion business initiative is an important step towards promoting responsible leadership in the fashion industry. It recognizes the importance of social justice, community development, and environmental sustainability, and aims to empower indigenous communities and promote their cultural heritage. Through the application of responsible leadership theory, this initiative can lead to positive social change by promoting sustainable and ethical fashion practices and raising consumer awareness about the impact of their choices on society and the environment.