Organic clothing business puts down local roots

Stefania and Sandro Palotta have opened the doors of The Organic T Shirt at 145 Bradley Street

27th Jan 2026

A passion for sustainability, quality craftsmanship and a slower pace of life has brought Italian-born designers Stefanio and Sandro Palotta to Guyra, where they are now proudly producing organic, made-to-order clothing right in the heart of town.
Owners of The Organic T Shirt, the couple originally operated their business in Sydney before deciding city life was no longer what they wanted. With Sydney becoming increasingly busy and crowded, they began searching for a place that offered a better lifestyle.
That search took an unexpected turn when they came across a house for sale in Guyra.
“We had never heard of Guyra before,” they said. “But we came to have a look and instantly fell in love - not just with the house, but with the town itself.”
After relocating, Stefanio and Sandro were keen to continue their existing clothing business. While they were unable to find suitable premises in Guyra initially, they set up in nearby Glen Innes, operating a factory-based business for three and a half years.
They have now converted what was once a butcher shop at 145 Bradley Street into a retail and production space in Guyra, something they had always dreamed of.
The Organic T Shirt produces a wide range of clothing, not just T-shirts. They use organic Good Earth cotton and natural merino wool. All garments are made on site, measured precisely to minimise waste, with leftover materials reused wherever possible.
Sustainability is central to everything they do. Clothing is made to order, avoiding excess stock and landfill, with turnaround times as quick as a few hours. Customers can order made-to-measure garments, customise designs, recreate favourite styles, or even have items repaired, with services such as hemming and alterations also available.
The business also offers in-store personalised printing, supported by newly installed equipment and they are transitioning to making their own labels in store. Instead of simply “Made in Australia” they will proudly display “Made in Guyra, NSW 2365”, a move they say is important in promoting the town they’ve grown to love.
“Our fabric is produced in Melbourne, and all labour happens right here in Guyra,” they said. “That’s something we’re really proud of.”
Sandro brings extensive industry experience, having worked for major companies in Sydney. From the beginning, the couple’s ethos has been to create high-quality garments that last, countering the fast-fashion model of mass-produced clothing made overseas, often with poor fabric quality and exploited labour.
The Organic T Shirt operates an online store servicing customers across Australia and New Zealand, with plans to expand into Europe in the future. Interest has already come from the UK, Italy and Sweden, and they believe there is strong potential, particularly in Italy, where Australian merino wool is highly regarded.
While the shop has only been open for a few weeks, response from locals and visitors has been very positive. Some confusion remains due to old butcher signage still visible, but word is spreading quickly, with residents and tourists alike popping in to take a look.
With reliable internet allowing them to operate from anywhere, Stefanio and Sandro say Guyra offers exactly what they were searching for. A slower pace of life, strong community and the freedom to create meaningful, sustainable work.
“It’s slower,” they said, “but in a good way and we are loving being here.”

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Organic clothing business puts down local roots

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