Using fashion as a tool for spreading social awareness and spearheading positive changes in society has been an age-old practice. Art is one of those powerful mediums capable of assigning any cause the strongest platform. Sporting merchandise with our personal beliefs inked across them in clear, bold letters, is perhaps the most fearless fashion statement we can ever make.
Clothing The Gaps – As a Fashion Brand
Clothing The Gaps was co-founded by Laura Thompson and Sarah Sheridan – the name is a play on words for the Australian government’s health initiative, Closing the Gaps. Clothing The Gaps is an Aboriginal-owned social enterprise that make Aboriginal- designed bags, tees, caps, jumpers, beanies and more.
Purpose-led businesses and social enterprises are popping up more and more in the fashion and lifestyle industry. Businesses like Clothing The Gaps, who use the fashion label to invest in its not-for-profit arm are becoming more and more important for wider communities to start important conversations. Whether it be about the history of the land on which you live, climate change, combatting homelessness or address equality – there is an impact-led fashion label out there raising awareness for important causes.
It’s safe to say this Aboriginal-owned business is cause-oriented. The impressive collection of tote bags, tees, jumpers and accessories are important conversation starters with their strong messages, but at the same time, they are also trendy, chic, and comfortable. Available in black and granite, the tote bags are made of 100% cotton and come with reinforced shoulder straps and one large main compartment. All the bags are priced at $35 each.
If you’re supporting social enterprises and purchasing items with impact-led messaging, it’s important to know the meaning behind the brand’s mission or purpose.
Be sure to follow organisations on social media to find their latest collections, each with unique designs produced to spark conversations or thoughts you may have never had. You can shop Aboriginal-designed bags, accessories and more at Clothing The Gaps, or spend some time thinking about a cause close to your heart.
Whether buying for yourself or buying a gift for someone special, accessories or clothing items bought from purpose-led social enterprises make gift giving much more meaningful. It shows you’re acknowledging a cause or starts a conversation you may not have been inclined to have previously.
Tote bags and accessories are a great way to introduce garments into your wardrobe and daily style that are purpose led or focus on important social change, and they make the perfect gift! Clothing The Gaps accessories are designed to fit into your daily life – a tote bag to the grocery store, a cap on sunny days, a scarf on cold mornings or socks on your morning run. Each time you wear your Clothing The Gaps piece, you’re wearing your values and helping to share the message. Let’s look at a few products from Clothing The Gaps:
Aboriginal Land Tote– The Aboriginal Land tote bag is another important way of acknowledging that Australia always and always will be Aboriginal land. This bag, alongside all of Clothing The Gaps collection and unique pieces, are Aboriginal-designed and ready for wear.
Free the Flag Tote – The Free The Flag campaign draws awareness to the fact that the Aboriginal flag is currently – only WAM Clothing can reproduce the Aboriginal Flag on their apparel, and currently WAM (a non-Indigenous business) owns a worldwide licensing agreement with the flag’s owner, Harold Thomas. As a social enterprise, Clothing The Gaps aims spark conversation around control of the flag rather than flag ownership. You can learn more about the campaign journey here and shop items here to support the campaign further.
Shop Clothing The Gaps Aboriginal-Designed Blankets and Towels:
The Gathering Blanket was designed with love by Gunditjara artist, Laura Thompson. Perfect for your little (or the biggest) mob. A multifunctional blanket that can be your ultimate fam beach towel, picnic rug or cosy throw on a chilly night. Sharing is caring.
This beautiful blanket is engineered from premium LiteAs Microfibre fabric, which is sand resistant, super-absorbent, compact and quick dry. It is also reversible, featuring two designs; one that is inspired by traditional possum skin cloaks and the other which celebrates Aboriginal language groups.
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