

Who we are
Karuna Dawn is a social impact organisation empowering vulnerable communities through education, skills training, and sustainable development. Focused on women's empowerment, ethical practices, and community resilience, Karuna Dawn partners with local initiatives to produce handbags, journals and accessories to create lasting change and dignity-driven opportunities across disadvantaged regions.
At Karuna Dawn, our mission is to make conscious living beautiful and accessible. We create ethically handcrafted, cruelty-free fashion and lifestyle goods that support artisan communities, protect our planet, and inspire intentional living- proving that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable.
Core Values:
- Vegan
- Sustainable
- Slow Fashion
- Ethically made
- Women's Empowerment
- Handmade
Key team members:
- Sridevi Blair – Co-Founder: With a strong background in business development and disadvantaged community advocacy, Sridevi leads Karuna Dawn's mission to empower women and uplift marginalised communities.
- Scott Blair – Co-Founder: Drawing on his expertise in strategic planning and business improvement at corporate enterprises (IBM, NAB, Coles), Scott plays a key role in guiding Karuna Dawn's vision and growth.
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What we do
Ethically made textiles and accessories
What we produce: Handcrafted textiles, bags, journals, and accessories made by women artisans using traditional techniques.
Impact areas: Women's economic empowerment, cultural preservation, ethical fashion.
Key outcomes: Sustainable income for marginalised women, revival of traditional skills, and increased global awareness of slow, ethical fashion.
Ethical and sustainable enterprise support
What we do: Support the development of ethical micro-enterprises and provide market access for artisans.
Impact areas: Fair trade, sustainable livelihoods, local economic development.
Key outcomes: Sustainable income streams, environmentally responsible practices, and global visibility for local artisans.
Upcycled and sustainable goods
What we produce: Eco-friendly products crafted from recycled or repurposed materials, including fabric offcuts and surplus stock.
Impact areas: Environmental sustainability, circular economy, waste reduction.
Key outcomes: Reduction in textile waste, promotion of conscious consumerism, and empowerment through green enterprise.
Our work
Karuna Dawn organic cotton tote bags
PlatformsKaruna Dawn partnered with an ethical production house in Nepal to create these beautiful organic cotton canvas bags featuring skilled, artisan hand block design handed down from generation to generation
Karuna Dawn organic cotton tote bagsKaruna Dawn sustainable leaf leather bags and accessories
PlatformsKaruna Dawn partnered with an ethical Thai manufacturer who creates an innovative and sustainable alternative to animal leather using fallen leaves.
Karuna Dawn sustainable leaf leather bags and accessoriesUp-cycled denim collection
PlatformsOur innovative, unique 100% up-cycled denim collection partners with a company in India dedicated to zero waste practices. Our partner employs women from marginalised communities which provides them an additional income to support their families.
Up-cycled denim collectionKaruna Dawn Blog
ArticlesYour guide to sustainable and ethical fashion.
Karuna Dawn Blog
Head office:
- Victoria
Service location(s):
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- Outside Australia
Type(s) of actor:
- Social enterprises
Area(s) of activity:
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We’d love to hear from you!
Reach out to one of our team members, and share input and ideas about how we can evolve Understorey.
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