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ABOUT US

better for people = better for planet

Founded on the principles that clothing should be produced in a way that embraces people and causes as little harm to the environment as possible, Dorsu was established to set an example within the Cambodian and global garment industry.

As a manufacturing brand, we have the unique capacity to control the conditions under which our clothing is made and prioritise openness and honesty about what we do, and why we do it.

Design

Contrary to the conventional design approach, where brands are disconnected from the factories that produce their clothing, we design and produce onsite at Dorsu. This allows us to conceptualise, sample, test, and adjust garments in real time before sending them out to the world.

Our design process is founded on three principles; ease of wear, longevity of quality, and intelligent use of resources. We do not design and produce large seasonal collections, but instead release small batches consisting of 3-4 intentionally designed pieces that can be worn with one another across seasons. 

Our products are meticulously designed for everyday wear with quality being our top priority.

Fabric

Our versatile designs are carefully crafted in soft, breathable jersey cotton.

We choose to exclusively utilize high-quality remnant fabrics from Cambodia’s robust garment industry and source with two goals in mind. To fall in love with colour and feel, and prioritise the longevity of every item we produce.

Remnant fabrics are surplus materials that have gone unused by the industry. However, these leftover rolls of cloth in their original top-quality condition are ready to be made into highly comfortable attire and to the benefit of the environment. Using what we have rather than unnecessarily creating more, is a core part of our company ethos.

As a result of Cambodia’s pervasive garment manufacturing industry and issues that occur along the fashion industry’s incredibly complex supply chain, vast amounts of fabric are deemed unusable by brands on a daily basis. This misuse arises due to incorrect or oversupply of cloth, last minute changes in production schedules, and the ever-increasing need for brands to be immediately responsive and adaptive to fast fashion trends.

When sourcing factory remnants, we’re not privy to the origin or composition of fabrics. We ensure the quality of our fabrics through an in-house testing method. The test involves burning sample material, revealing if the sample contains little or no synthetic fibers. Then we pre-wash the new fabric, testing for colour fading, changes, and shrinkage. We only continue to work with fabrics that pass these quality checks with flying, not fading colours.

Production

We thoughtfully combine our appreciation for design with a progressive business model. From the early stages of design through the last stitch in production, we oversee the entire process onsite in our production studio. By maintaining a safe, fair, and supportive garment production space, we provide our workers with the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that values them as individuals and skilled professionals.

Cambodia is one of the largest producers of clothing worldwide and employs over 800,000 workers. Seventy-five percent of those workers are women, and not surprisingly, the industry brings in almost 80% of the country’s total export revenue. Unfortunately, workers are usually subject to harsh and often dangerous working conditions, with long working hours, low pay, and unsafe transport to and from factories.

Providing an alternative enables workers to seek better conditions, demand the protection of their rights, and in doing so,  pave the way for a large-scale industry change.

OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Over 95% of all factories in the Cambodian garment industry are owned by foreign entities. However, we're proud to be among the few locally owned and privately held garment manufacturers in the country. Our management team reflects a commitment to diversity and representation, with 80% being Khmer and 80% women. Looking ahead, we are actively working towards enabling each of our team members to become equity shareholders. We aim to achieve this standard by 2025 and hope to set an example as a progressive business model for the industry throughout Southeast Asia.

Dorsu is dedicated to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our mission. We are an independent entity and are not affiliated with any religious, or political organization, advocacy, or special interest group. This independence allows us to maintain a focus on our core values and mission without external influences.

To learn more about our leadership team, please visit our Leadership page.