Aboriginal designed clothing is on the rise in Australia, and so too is supporting Aboriginal-owned businesses and social enterprises.
One example of a Melbourne (Naarm) based, Aboriginal-owned business is Clothing The Gaps, a streetwear label and social enterprise uniting fashion and cause. Clothing The Gaps is shedding light on important conversations, and campaigning for social change on issues impacting Aboriginal People and their Communities.
There is an urgent need to realise the importance of Aboriginal designed clothing. With an emphasis on wearing your values and supporting others, Clothing The Gaps’ range includes great options for Aboriginal-designed kids clothing, including pieces from the ‘Free The Flag’ campaign merch, ‘Shades of Deadly’ and ‘Always Was, Always Will be’.
Shop Clothing The Gaps Aboriginal-Designed Kids Clothing now:
1. ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ Kids Tee
This kids t-shirt has been designed in collaboration with Carla Scotto, who is a non-Indigenous Australian illustrator and advocate. Carla says – “we cannot ignore the relationship First Nation people have with the environment, and how colonisation has only widened the disconnect with the natural world.” You can learn more about the ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ campaign via Clothing The Gaps and shop merch to support the campaign here.
Clothing The Gaps garments are:
· Made from 100% cotton.
· Screen printed in Wurundjeri Country.
· Original AS Colour tee.
· Colours: Black and Purple.
· Sizes: Ranging from 31cm to 44.5cm in body width.
2. ‘Shades of Deadly’ Kids Tee
This is a Mob-Only tee for the minis, which means it has been specifically created for First Nations people and Torres Strait Islanders. It is based on the ‘Shades of Deadly’ campaign, which was created to challenge the stereotypes regarding First Nations people.
Pieces from this collection are:
· Made from 100% cotton.
· Screen printed in Wurundjeri Country.
· Original AS Colour tee.
· Colour: Black
· Sizes: Ranging from 31cm to 44.5cm in body width.
3. First Nations Flags Kids Tee
This tee features the First Nations Flags – “This tee is an education piece for children. When the education system fails to teach the true history of this country, we are doing what we know best, merch with meaning created to start conversations and educate.
The Torres Strait Islander flag, which is also featured in this tee, was designed by Mr Bernard Namok and was made to symbolise the identity and unity of the Torres Strait Islanders. In more detail, Clothing The Gaps outlined on the website that the flag is emblazoned with a white Dhari (head dress) which is a symbol of Torres Strait Islander culture. The white five-pointed star beneath it symbolizes peace, the five major island groups and the navigational importance of stars to the seafaring people of the Torres Strait.
The green represents the land, the black represents the people, and the blue the sea.
This tee is also:
· Made from 100% cotton.
· Original AS Colour tee.
· Embroidered flags at the front.
· Clothing the Gaps logo printed at the back of the tee.
· Colour: Black
· Sizes: Ranging from 31cm to 44.5cm in body width.
4. Heal Country Bibs for Babies
These Australian-made bibs have been crafted by repurposed tees, and are the first (of potentially more) baby items designed by Clothing The Gaps. The bib features an embroidered wedge-tailed eagle which is known as Bunjil, and was designed with the ‘Heal Country!’ 2021 NAIDOC Theme in mind. This eagle is the creator and protector of the Kulin Nation in Victoria. Below the Bunjil, the Heal Country lettering has been embroidered in green.
· Made from tees that have received accreditation from Ethical Clothing Australia.
· High-quality cotton material which is thick (180 GSM).
· Made by the local artisans in Wurundjeri Country of Victoria.
Why Buy Clothing The Gaps Aboriginal-Designed Clothing
Clothing The Gaps is an Aboriginal-owned fashion label and social enterprise that designs and produces items created to celebrate Aboriginal culture and start important conversations.
Through the Clothing The Gaps platform, the business aims to advocate for First Nations and Torres Strait Islander people, and elevate their causes and voices. Clothing The Gaps is constantly creating platforms and campaigns to elevate, educate, motivate and advocate for First Nations people across Australia.
