What surprised you about travelling in this part of Australia?

Firstly how busy the roads are at this time of year! We travelled in the school holidays which made everything very packed and all those highlight destinations crowded. We, however, woke most mornings at first light and did all our exploring then! It made for a much cooler hike too! 

What did you get up to? What is there to do?

We travelled first from Katherine to Umbrawarra Gorge where we did the bitter springs which had beautiful crystal clear blue water and were WARM! Kind of like your day at the spa when living on the road but it’s all FREE.

We then went to the gorge and met up with some friends we met along the way and had campfires most nights. We would star gaze in the beanie and jumper for a good hour as there is minimal artificial light so the sky was incredible. We went swimming in several water holes along the gorge and spent a whole day out there exploring the rock art and lounging in the sun with a good book. There was so much wildlife around and only us, you could hear the sounds of birds and the rustle of the wind but it was utter peace and serenity. 

We then ventured to the famous Kakadu National Park where we spent afew nights checking out Ubirr Rock known for its artwork and then spent sunset on Nawurlandja Rock. We sipped gin and tonics and waved goodbye to the sun, it was something out of this world.

We also enjoyed Litchfield National park, where we did TOLMER falls, Florence falls and Wangi Falls. All so beautiful and the fresh water was so nice to cool off in! The days were a perfect temp up until lunch to which we retreated to the Museum in Darwin for a tour through some incredible young aussie artists and a viewing of the damage from hurricane tracy. It also was free and air conditioned so that was a plus!  

Favourite time of day in the NT:

Sunsets: out the back, the flies go to bed and sometimes so do the mozzies!

Sunrise: when the temp is perfect and we can pop the back open and lay watching the a new day begin

Now for the fun stuff, we want the inside scoop on your top travel tips for the NT:

1. Always where sun protection! We sunscreen up daily, wear hats, long sleeves can be perfect like the mini dress you sent! 
2. As much as it is hot it can also be quite cold inland, so pack something cosy like the Venus Jumper in Lavender- the Venus Beanie in Lavender was great for those bad hair days! 
3. If your travelling in peak season like we did, book your camps via the national parks app (it’s a new system that is online) and it saves the stressful night looking for camp.
4. Get a good playlist sorted and some podcasts for those long days driving! 
5. Immerse yourself into the culture, talk to locals, read the signs and do your research before hand. The people are so caring and giving and the whole top end of the NT has a real sense of community, something we often miss in cities. 
6. Spend your mornings and afternoons walking and doing those bucket list hikes and your lunch time swimming in the bitter springs and the waterfalls. 

We absolutely loved the NT, the change of scenery from blue water was actually refreshing and the sheer size of some of the cliffs and mountains was incredible to see in person. Photos don’t do this place justice, you will have to see it for yourselves! 

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5. What part of the cooking process do you enjoy the most?

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you've ever used?

7. Do you have any cooking mentors?

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Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is an annual event held each May to raise community awareness of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence and the support available to those affected. The key aims of the month are to:

• raise community awareness of domestic and family violence and its impacts;
• promote a clear message of no tolerance of domestic and family violence in Queensland communities;
• ensure those who are experiencing domestic and family violence know how to access help and support;
• encourage people who use abuse and/or violence to take responsibility for their abusive behaviour and seek support to change.

You can learn more here: https://domesticviolence.com.au

If you or someone you know is being impacted by domestic and family violence, we encourage you to report it to police or access support services, as per below:

• If the incident is happening now or there is immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000)
• For non-urgent domestic and family violence matters, contact Policelink any time on 131 444
• If making a phone call or visiting a police station isn’t a safe option, you can request contact with police online for non-urgent domestic and family violence at: https://globetrottersiraconlineusa.com/domestic-violence

A range of material and support services are available https://globetrottersiraconlineusa.com/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/domestic-family-violence

Mardi, please introduce yourself…

Hi, my name is Mardi, or more specifically Dr Mardi Wilson. I live in the bush out behind The Channon with my partner and my dog-baby. I am passionate about socio-political issues and how they impact people’s lives and strive to do what I can to contribute to positive and progressive change. I am a sociological researcher, writer, podcast co-host, and for my 9-5 role I work for a domestic violence service at which I support people who have been victim to men’s use of violence, I’ve been working for this service for 5 years. Alongside that, I’ve spent a good chunk of my twenties researching and writing my PhD dissertation, which focussed on sexual violence that is normalised within a context of heteronormativity. Basically, that means I studied how society makes certain behaviours, like pressure, persistence, and ‘not taking no for an answer’, seem like normal behaviour for men within sex, when, really, coercing past non-consent is sexualised violence and should not be considered a part of ‘normal’ sex. Sexual refusals, or unwillingness to have sex, should be accepted and taken seriously, not problem solved.

The Sex and Consent podcast (@sexandconsent) is where you can find my research, and surrounding topics, unpacked and explained in an easy-to-understand way.

Would you describe yourself as a rebel or an activist?

I don’t know if I am badass enough to call myself a rebel, so probably activist.

When we’re talking sex what’s the difference between consent, willingness, and compliance?

Think of (genuine) willingness as what is needed by all parties for sex to be consensual. This willingness could be because you have physiological desire for sex with that person, or the willingness could be because your partner is going away on holiday and you know you won’t get to see them for two weeks and want to connect on that level before they leave, even if you’re not super aroused. We can be willing to have sex for different reasons, the important thing is that the willingness to have sex is genuine and self-motivated by some form of desire/interest/want/reason to have sex.

Compliance, on the other hand, is something that can happen at the result of coercion. For instance, if a someone asks another to come home with them, and they say ‘sure, but I don’t want to have sex tonight’, to which the other said ‘that’s fine, let’s just cuddle’ (very common scenario), but then once in bed together the person who initially agreed to the boundary starts to instead escalate sexual activity. The person who didn’t want to have sex might resist, maybe saying they are tired, or by not reciprocating, but the person instigating the sexual activity continues to apply pressure until the unwilling person ‘gives in’, or complies. This is not genuine consent, because the person was unwilling and their eventual participation was compliance as a result of coercion, rather than self-motivated participation. Unfortunately, patriarchal gender roles have normalised male persistence, and the result is that consent has often been viewed as a kind of ‘basic agreement’. This is certainly not consent in the way it’s more commonly thought about today, where affirmative consent is becoming the standard and requires clear and positive signs of willingness, rather than eventual compliance.

Sex is multi-faceted, and its definition is different for each induvial: whether it’s with your partner, or with someone new, what are your tips and techniques for eroding boundaries and creating open conversation so that sex is safe and pleasurable?

So, with the idea of ‘eroding’ boundaries, while I get what you mean, in that I understand the question to be more like ‘how do we ‘break down walls’ of insecurity when talking about sex’, I actually think in sex we need to be more conscious of respecting boundaries, rather than eroding them. Eroding boundaries in a sexual context happens all the time, hence the premise of my PhD. In my research I called this ‘everyday coercion’, which basically means the ‘everyday’ normalised ways that people push past, ignore, or override another’s boundaries in sex. To counter this, we need to encourage a culture in which boundaries are not eroded but acknowledged, whether they are given verbally or non-verbally, and accepted, rather than seen as an obstacle to overcome. 

Socio-culturally, there are many avenues we can take that would lead to safer and more pleasurable sex. For example, we need to drastically improve our approach to sexual education and messaging, including normalising linking sex with pleasure, particularly that of girls/women and trans and gender diverse people. Male pleasure has for too long been the central focus of mainstream sex whether it’s been depicted in pop-culture, or spoken about in the classroom. There is such a lack of understanding of the anatomy of a vulva, for example, that many men cannot point out a clitoris on a diagram, even though around 75% of women primarily (or only) have clitoral orgasms. No wonder tonnes of women aren’t orgasming during sex! Not to mention that everyone uses the word vagina in place of vulva, when the vagina is specifically the canal, and the vulva is the external part of the sex organ (it’s like calling the penis and testicles just a penis, instead of using their separate names to specify different parts!). If women’s pleasure was celebrated, instead of shamed (as it is with phenomena’s like ‘slut shaming’, or ‘purity culture’ that imposes abstinence upon girls and women), sex could be much more enjoyable.

To make sex safer requires a socio-cultural shift in how we portray gender and sex. In Australia 97% percent of sexual assaults are committed by men. Whether women, other men, or non-binary folk, are the victim, the perpetrator is almost certainly going to be a man. We need to address what makes men feel as though they are entitled to erode, override, and ignore boundaries. We need to stop perpetuating the narrative that men should be sexually dominant, and that men need to have a lot of sex, and with many partners, to be ‘men’. We need to untie masculinity from sexual ‘prowess’. Studies show that a lot of younger men have sex to impress their mates rather than because they want to experience pleasure and connect with a partner, particularly in one-night-stand contexts. They are motivated to push for a sexualised interaction by envisioning telling their mates about it, because it gives them status. If a man feels entitled to sex (based on rape-myths like ‘because she came home with me’ or ‘because I paid for dinner’), and also fears that if he doesn’t ‘close the deal’ he will be less of a man, then he is more likely to use coercion. For sex to be safer, this attitude and belief system needs to change. And that’s called dismantling the patriarchy! It’s a big job.  

So, while having open conversations is a great way to individually enhance safety and pleasure, there is a lot to be done on a broader scale. We need people, particularly men, to want to have the conversations, to want to respect their partners boundaries, to want to contribute to safer and more pleasurable sex. 

What’s your advice on how to raise sexual concerns with one’s partner?

It depends on the concerns, but I really do see a lot of benefit in speaking up if it is safe enough to do so. This can be done anytime during or afterward, whenever it feels right for the person who was made to feel uncomfortable. If what they did wasn’t malicious but made you uncomfortable for a personal reason, then I think explaining it can be great for building awareness and trust between partners. Oftentimes the other person will be really glad they know so they can avoid it happening again. If someone reacts badly to you disclosing something or expressing a concern, it could be a sign to re-evaluate your relationship with them, or to seek support from a professional and talk it through.

If it’s more along the lines of simply not enjoying a certain (otherwise consensual) act, there are plenty of ways in the moment to guide someone to doing something you find more pleasurable. You can give tips in a way that is constructive not critical, for example, saying ‘softer/harder/slower/faster/deeper’, so on, are ways of communicating what you want in that moment, and also can sound pretty sexy. Likewise, ‘a little higher/lower/to the left/to the right/I liked what you were doing before’ are perfectly normal ways to communicate in sex, and if we don’t tell people what we like, how will they know? It can be daunting to give instructions or let someone know that they’re not quite hitting the spot, but in my opinion it’s actually for the greater good of everyone’s pleasure for us to get used to asking (appropriately) for what we want/how we want it during sex. Especially for vulva and vagina owners, as, like I said before, there has been less interest and mainstream knowledge about their pleasure (the what/where/how), so, if you are vulva/vagina owner, don’t feel bad about speaking up.

You work at a domestic violence service, and work with victim-survivors of a range of types of abuse; coercive control is a term people may be becoming more familiar with, and it can sometimes be difficult to recognise. What are some of the questions to ask to recognise and address coercive control in a relationship?

So, a lot of people associate domestic abuse with physical violence. This is of course can be a part of it, but there are other ways of abusing someone that can be just as terrifying, or even more terrifying, than physical violence. Also, a perpetrator of abuse rarely just uses physical violence without other types of abuse being used as well, such as emotional, psychological, sexual, spiritual, or financial abuse.

Coercive control refers to a pattern of behaviours used over time to incrementally gain control over another person, often affecting their sense of self-worth, confidence, and autonomy. Usually the perpetrator – (and in a heterosexual relationship it is typically the man using coercive control toward a woman, but coercive control occurs in same-sex and gender diverse relationships as well) – will go to great lengths to bond their partner to them by doting on them, appearing as loving, thoughtful, and generous, (sometimes referred to as ‘love bombing’). An abuser showing this side of themselves makes it a lot harder for the victim to leave when they start experiencing his abuse, because they want to be with the person they’ve fallen in love with. As the abuse becomes more and more prominent, and they consider leaving, the abuser will show glimpses of that loving, funny, trustworthy version of himself, reigniting her hope that their relationship could get back on track. After creating this bond, the abuser typically tries to isolate the victim, either geographically or socially. If he can dissuade her from maintaining relationships with family and friends, she has fewer people to tell, and fewer people to call out his behaviour. There is a range of behaviours, like gaslighting, alternating punishment with reward, and enforcing trivial demands, that an abuser can use to keep a victim preoccupied with modifying their behaviour, and having less time to focus on his. These tactics, such as gaslighting, interfere with her sense of reality and keep her exhausted and walking on eggshells. Physical violence, or threat of physical violence, can be used in a regime of coercive control, but it doesn’t have to be. Other threats, such as threats of harm to children or pets, or threats to expose certain information, or threats to ruin someone’s life financially or reputationally, can be as affective or more so.

Signs that someone might be experiencing coercive control could be that they withdraw socially, or are physically present but seem preoccupied or unable to relax. If someone seems to be running things by their partner a lot, or checking if they can do something or spend something, this can also be a sign. If you’re worried about someone you know, listen for hints of any of the above behaviours when they talk about their relationship. For instance if they relay an argument they had with their partner and it strikes you as very one-sided, malicious, degrading, or it seems that the potential perpetrator is making her feel guilty for doing normal things, or is jealous and possessive, these can be indicators that he is controlling toward her.

As for what to do about it, the most important thing is not to abandon someone just because they/she isn’t doing what you think she should. A lot of people think ‘why doesn’t she just leave if he is abusive’, but leaving can be difficult, scary, and in fact extremely dangerous. When the abuser feels he is losing control, he can go to greater lengths to reclaim it. This is often when we see men murdering their ex/partners, when they leave. So, letting someone know that you’re there for them if they need to talk, and creating a safe space without judgment or unsolicited advice giving is one of the best things you can do for them. Offering to talk to a service or get some information for them could also be helpful. Let them know that you see what he is doing and that it’s not OK, because a lot of victims of coercive control have been made to believe that their partner is justified to act the way he does. And, often, they don’t see him being held accountable at any point. By believing her/them and offering your support, you are showing that what he is doing to her is not invisible, and that can go a long way.

There’s a whole bunch of buzzwords in our dating lexicon these days like "gaslighting," "love bombing," "trauma," “backfooting,” but the overuse of words can sometimes make them lose their potency. If we’re hearing these words, what are your tips for unpacking and exploring the distinction between hurt feelings and toxicity?


You’re right, these terms are being used more commonly to describe ‘garden variety’ behaviours that may be hurtful, or selfish, but may not be part of a regime of abuse. Overuse of a term can water down the meaning, in that when gaslighting is purposefully being used to disrupt someone’s sense of reality and make them feel as though they’re ‘going crazy’, it’s serious, and should be treated as such. Likewise, backfooting is a technique an abuser uses to put someone on the defence in a way that is beneficial to him, as she then has to prove why his accusation isn’t so. An example of this, and one commonly used by abusers, is to accuse a woman of cheating/flirting/being dishonest, so that she must then prove to him that she didn’t/why she would never/how much she likes or loves him, etc. The long-term impact of this is that she will modify her behaviour to avoid these accusations. She may avoid talking to people alone to avoid the accusation of flirting, she may avoid going out without him to avoid the accusation of cheating. This tightens his grip of control over her. 



However. I think that the use, or overuse, of these terms represents a growing awareness of the types of behaviours that commonly occur in abusive contexts but which have long gone unnoticed, and I think it’s a positive that such behaviours are exposed. While gaslighting is particularly dangerous when done in a methodic, purposeful way, it’s also really toxic when it’s done in a normalised ‘everyday’ way to avoid accountability, which happens all the time. Of course, some people totally misuse these terms to describe behaviours that don’t quite match the actual definition. But, on the most part, I think that people, particularly men, have been doing a lot of love-bombing, gaslighting, and backfooting for a long time without being held accountable. Labels are powerful. Being able to label a problematic or dangerous emotional or psychological tactic is very useful and validating. Being able to recognise love-bombing, for example, could be the red flag that saves someone entering further into what could become an abusive relationship, and without it becoming more common in our lexicon, people may not hear of it. So, yeah, it can water it down, but I also think it creates awareness.

On February 17 this year, state and federal education ministers in Australia unanimously agreed to mandate holistic and age-appropriate consent education in all schools from "foundation" to Year 10 to be rolled out in 2023: what are your thoughts on this?

Will it create the change that’s so desperately needed? It is certainly important to encourage a respect of boundaries/refusals, i.e. non-consent from a young age, and encourage kids retain their empathy, especially boys, who often have it stamped out of them by patriarchal ideations of masculinity. In fact, I wrote an article about this very topic for SBS Insight just last year. However, as I have touched on in a previous answer, a lot of the change that needs to occur is not simply teaching people that they should ‘get consent’; it’s actually about completely dismantling the way we see gender as a binary construct and assign certain traits and roles to masculinity and femininity that perpetuate crappy stereotypes that normalise sexual violence. Not only do binary notions of gender set up problematic roles of the ‘pursuer’ and the ‘gatekeeper’ within heterosex, it completely invisibilises the experiences of LGBTQIAP+ people and the diverse ways that gender can be expressed. I am pro-rape prevention efforts, such as sexual consent education, but it just needs to be more than telling people to get consent. A lot of people know what consent is, or have heard that they should ‘get it’, but when sexism, misogyny, rape culture, and so on, are all still so prevalent, consent isn’t prioritised. We need an attitude shift.

Supremely important is that consent education needs to focus (and I am sure it will, or at least I’m hopeful it will) on all the different ways consent and non-consent can be communicated other than simply a verbal question and answer. People often think that ‘getting consent’ is simply this question-answer. In reality, most humans are adept at reading body language, non-verbal cues, and indirect verbal prompts to get a sense of whether someone is willing or unwilling to proceed in a sexual interaction. Of course, verbal communication is a great tool to use during negotiating consent, especially if you’re not sure what someone else’s body language is signifying, and you think maybe they’re uncomfortable, or, if they seem keen but you don’t know what sexual acts they’re keen for, but it shouldn’t be presented as the only tool. Presenting verbal communication as the only valid tool in doing consent puts a lot of pressure on the non-initiating person to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and studies show that saying a direct no to an offer is not only difficult, but not necessary to communicate a refusal. We say no in a variety of ways, verbal and non-verbal, and those are understood in line with regular patterns of communication. Prioritising verbal communication gives some people an excuse to ignore non-consent when it is communicated in other ways, like silence, passivity, moving away, non-reciprocation, and so on.

Too much focus on the question-answer style of consent also reduces consent to an event which ignores that consent is a process that spans the entire duration of the sexualised interaction. Instead of just one event of consent, such as a question and answer, we should consider consent the process of observing all types of communication, verbal or non-verbal, throughout an interaction. Just because someone consents to one act, doesn’t mean they are willing/consenting to do another, and, even if someone does initially consent, they have the right to change their mind at any time, and have this change of mind respected. Seeing consent as a process allows for change of mind.

I do hope that the consent education rolled out in schools will contribute toward the attitudinal change that is needed to see a downturn in sexualised violence, but there will need to be considerable quality control in relation to the facilitators/teachers of these programs, because if someone who is supposed to be teaching such things misses the point themselves, then it won’t be passed on effectively. But yes, I do hold hope! Chanel Contos has done a fabulous job campaigning, and with her and the rest of the team at Teach Us Consent leading the charge I feel heartened.

As women we all have different styles of desire; how is your work helping to liberate female sexuality from the confines of cultural myths and limitations?

I like to think that I contribute to validating and encouraging women to self-determine their lives and experiences through my PhD, through my role working with women individually and domestic violence support groups, and through my podcast platform.

Having information, and accurate information, is so necessary when working through the confines of problematic and limiting cultural myths. Consider, like I mentioned before, that a lot of women don’t orgasm internally, that is a very freeing fact to know. A lot of women get the impression from porn, movies, society in general, that they should be orgasming from penetration, and when that doesn’t happen for them, many think that there is something ‘wrong’ with them. They may spend time, money, energy trying to achieve something that just isn’t what their body does, and then feel disappointed when it doesn’t happen. Knowing that it’s, in fact, very common to experience only, or primarily, clitoral orgasms can help women understand that every body is different and that they are totally normal. And that’s just one example, there are so many ways of being in relationship, having sex, and, as long as it’s consensual and respectful, there’s nothing wrong with us exploring what we are into, even if it isn’t considered the ‘mainstream’ way of doing sex and relationships.

Honestly, knowing what coercion is, and that it is not (or at least shouldn’t be!) considered a part of ‘normal’ sex, was such a huge liberation for me. I wish I had been gifted with that knowledge, and known how to identify and label certain behaviours, when I was younger as I would have spent a lot less time feeling confused about sexual interactions. Sometimes I felt guilty, like ‘how did I let that happen again?’ when I had intended not to sleep with someone and then it ‘just happened’. I thought I had terrible self-control, but it wasn’t my self-control at all, it was that men were ignoring my boundaries and pressuring me past my non-consent. Knowing, and integrating the knowledge, that I deserve to set boundaries, and to have them respected, has empowered me to be less conscious of ‘offending’ or disappointing someone. I am more comfortable with holding people to account if they push or devalue me. Whereas, when I was younger, I found it very difficult to become assertive in fear of someone losing interest in me, becoming annoyed at me, or considering me ‘a tease’. Those things are still totally possibilities, but I now look at a guy differently if he responds like that, I see him as sexist and entitled. In saying that, it is absolutely not a girl/woman’s responsibility to have to become assertive, boys and men should be respecting unwillingness/refusals when they are first given.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I am hoping to turn my PhD into a book, but I just need to find the time to write a book proposal! That and continue to establish our podcast and find other ways to connect with people, educate, and create change.

You can find Mardi on Instagram @Mardi_Elizabeth

Mardi wears Daphne Shift Dress, Daphne Blouse in Dusty Rose, our Sugar Pants and Sugar Cardi and our Liberty Pants in Rosewater

MEET WILLIAM - OUR WOVENS MAKER

Established for over 30 years, William offers extensive sustainable fabric sourcing and development. This small ethical operation has excellent workmanship and attention to detail, essential for our soft woven product. We're confident this is the beginning of a new and blossoming relationship.

William's factory has Sedex Smeta social compliance auditing in place. His printing mill is Oeko Tex 100 certified.

What we love about William: Established for over 30 years, William offers extensive sustainable fabric sourcing and development and has worked with us to develop two of our newest fabrics, Lenzing Ecovero Crepe and our Lenzing Ecovero Crinkle.

Strengths: Experts at digital printing, can achieve very bright colours and tones.

Fave collection: Dylan

Fave fabric: Lenzing Ecovero Crinkle

MEET OUR FABRIC MAKERS 

Mr. Zhang has worked for over 20 years as the digital printing factory director and is responsible for the overall production schedule and quality control. 

What is your favourite part of the day?

I am most happy when we receive a new order! That means we are going to have more popular prints and fashion collections produced by us.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy our production teams ability to actively challenge ourselves and successfully solve problems. It makes me happy to learn something new every day. 

Mr. Sheng has been working at our digital printing mill for more than 10 years. He is an operator for digital printing and does strike-offs for bulk printing. 

What is your favourite part of the day?

The most relaxing part of the day is coming home from work and spending time with kids and take a walk in the park or watch TV before going to bed.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love how different all of our printing patterns are and how many different prints we produce in a day. I love the different botanical styles we are currently printing and we love to guess what kind of style is suitable for each print. 

Ms. Sheng has been working at digital printing mill for more than 10 years. She is a technician in charge of drawing print artworks. 

What is your favourite part of the day?

The most relaxing part of the day is going home and cooking. I love cooking as much as I love painting, and sometimes dance to music in a plaza with my neighbours.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I am proud that I have created so many beautiful prints and other popular designs that are shipped overseas and have been successful. I am grateful as a clothing designer that I can bring these prints to life!

MEET OUR FACTORY WORKERS

Zhu is the owner of Suzhou Rui Shun factory. She learnt sewing skills at the age of 20, which progressed to managing the whole production workshop at the age of 25. In 2003, she started her own garment factory that has been cooperating with us since 2005. Zhu’s greatest happiness is her family, who are all involved in running the factory together. Her husband is the finance manager of the factory, and her son is also involved. On weekends she enjoys taking her grandchildren to the park and loves to go on walks with her family. Her greatest hope is for her family to be healthy and for her two grandchildren to do well in primary school.

Qiu is from the local area of Suzhou and has been working with Suzhou Rui Sun factory for more than 10 years. In 1983 he started his journey of learning sewing skills and patterns from a master. From the years of 1990 to 1996 he went to Shenzhen to be responsible for garment patterns. After returning to Suzhou, Qui has been working as a pattern maker and is greatly experienced in production and pattern making. In his free time he loves being with his two children and doing activities such as fishing and riding around the lake with his family. 

Wu is from the local Suzhou area and has been working with Suzhou Rui Shun factory for more than 10 years as a sewing line leader. In 1993 he started to learn sewing skills and then started his work in a clothing factory in 1996. During this time he wanted to challenge himself working in other jobs in construction and as an accountant. However he found that he enjoyed working in clothing production the most, and started working as a sewing line leader in Suzhou Rui Shun factory. Wu has two daughters who he loves to cook for and values spending time with his family. His hope is that his daughters work hard, learn more, and challenge themselves whilst they are young. 

The fashion industry isn’t alone when it comes to the impacts it has on the environment. The beauty industry is a key player in the harming of our natural world and our bodies. 

“According to the latest reports from Zero Waste Week, beauty packaging amounts to 120 billion units every year. That includes plastic, paper, glass, and metals, all of which end up in landfills year after year.” - Trvst

But trashing the planet isn’t the only issue, your everyday beauty products might be trashing you too. 

In the USA the FDA, which regulates the beauty industry, hasn’t been meaningfully updated since 1938, according to an article from VOX.

Some consumers are taking action, according to an article from VOX, “There have been some high-profile lawsuits like the Johnson & Johnson ovarian cancer talc cases, in which juries have awarded multimillion-dollar settlements to people who claimed using baby powder for years caused their cancer. Then the hair care company Wen settled a $26 million class-action case because one of its products was allegedly making people’s hair fall out.”

CVS even committed to removing paragons and other ingredients from its 600 in house brands by the end of 2019.

In 2014, following consumer outcry, Johnson & Johnson removed a type of preservative from its baby shampoo that releases very small amounts of formaldehyde into the air.

Hair stylists like Jayne Matthews, from Edo Salon, experienced stories of chemical poisoning from being exposed to chemicals on an on-going basis in her hair salon. She has now switched her entire salon to being chemical free and teaches women how to cut their hair on their own from home.

The world is changing around us for the better. We are seeing sustainability become a crucial factor for shoppers when they are choosing which brands to shop from, it’s the same in fashion as it is in beauty.

We need to stop putting unnecessary chemicals on our bodies, into our bodies and our environment.

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A post shared by Cassie Lapthorne (@cl_h_mu)

Discovering the dark side of the beauty industry when it comes to its impacts on people and the planet can be confronting. It can also be overwhelming and confusing! So we asked one of our campaign makeup artists her thoughts on the makeup industry when it comes to clean beauty, ethical practices, and natural ingredients. Meet Cassie Lapthorne, a model, makeup artist and soon-to-be naturopath.

We hope you enjoy hearing Cassie’s story and getting some tips from her below.

Many different cultures throughout time have recognised illnesses as a detachment from Nature – often gods or spiritual entities would enforce disorder because of this.

It seems that turning to Nature can heal ailments physically, spiritually and emotionally. 

Naturopathy works in conjunction with this in practising beliefs of Holism and Vitalism, to see the world, body and health as a collective whole.

Naturopaths aim to benefit and work in conjunction with Nature. Alongside this, art, identity and sociological beauty has always intrigued me. Investing in an on-going understanding of physical, spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing as a whole, I am currently studying Naturopathy as I continue my makeup artistry practice. 

Prior to Covid, I had been travelling for 6 years as a model. Slowing down and changing pace meant that I saw a lot of changes when it came to my physical and place-based identity. The changes meant that I saw a lot of the positive and negative aspects of such a fast paced industry.

One of the most important things I noticed was the extensive applications of products and how they can affect both the applier and applicant. As a makeup artist and a model, I could see the disruptions the harsh makeup products could cause – including rashes, hormone disruptions, burns, or simply pain and redness or irritation. 

This can all be after being cruelly tested on animals, to put any perspective on what our poor creatures must go through and why it is so important to invest money (and thus power) to businesses with an ethical code of conduct.

It can be hard to make the switch as there is so much to learn, finance, confusion and accessibility can create challenges however change starts with knowledge.

There is the question of why wear make-up or hairstyles at all...However there is no denying the power of art and self-expression in finessed times and places.

If I didn’t have peroxide blonde hair and an eager spirit when I was 18 would I have had that opportunity to dance with Kylie Minogue at the Logies and in her music video? Or feature in Vogue, travel to the countries I’d always wanted to see before getting too tied down by life?

There is a time and place for hair and makeup – But natural ingredients and a natural you will always take the cake.

Yet when it comes to the modern world, expressing oneself is extremely reliant on beauty products – even toothpaste is considered a beauty product. So as we aim to express our personality through gender, art, culture, age, and so forth in a way that feels comfortable to us, beauty products play an important role.

Some products also aid in physical ailments due to pregnancy, disease, misfortune, or manifest the ability to reflect an internal identity externally/ So, there’s no denying the connection and communication beauty products can bring to yourself or others.

Something I find so powerful in hair and make-up artistry is that if I get the brief right, it is so incredible to see someone look more like themselves, thus feel more like themselves. I find fulfilment in being able to bring a persons confidences and contention within themselves to life through my artistry by helping them see themselves in a way they weren’t able to before.

Here is my advice on product choices and application:

Cleaning your hands and your face and taking care of your skin

I opt for cleansers without Suds (ability to foam) as it can dry the skin out, stripping its natural oils and altering the natural pH and capacity to fight bacteria

Wash brushes weekly to avoid bacteria build-up (makeup artists after every use and never cross contaminate across products, benches or faces to prevent spread of disease and germs)

After face is completely clean, use a Gua Sha or cold apple to massage over entire face to reduce puffiness and bring blood to the surface, an apple being a biodegradable and forgiving option.

Apply serum, I use Vanessa Megan’s Auric 24K Gold & Wild Herb Radiance Serum *. Ensure that if pregnant or applying product to a pregnant women that they do not get exposed to excessive applications of Vitamin A as it can cause birth defects as-well as concentrate in breast milk causing harm to your baby. Massage face with hands after in upwards strokes, kneading and bringing blood to any creases in the face, providing a more lifted and plumped appearance. Don’t be too vigorous to not irritate the skin too much prior to applying makeup.

If sections of your skin are unblemished with even skin tone, don’t cover it. Only put make-up on the parts that need coverage. There’s no need to cover skin that is already healthy and beautiful as it is most beautiful naturally. It will also allow the finished look to appear more natural with real skin exposed as- well as keeping it healthy over time by avoiding blocked pores. If you have a tanned body and a paler face as most of us use sunscreen predominately on the face, colour match to your chest and opt for a certified organic light foundation, bb cream or zinc to colour match face to body that allows your skin to still breath and only conceal dark circles/blemishes where necessary.

What to watch out for when buying new skincare and beauty products

For everyday products ensure that they are certified organic, you can check this online, as there are many loopholes in ingredient labels to try to make profit. “Fragrance” can contain up to 1000 unknown ingredients hidden under the ‘one’ ingredient*. The first ingredients are what the product is predominately made up with, so if it says ‘Aqua’, you are paying for majority of water. If a label has truly organic properties the botanists would have named it in Latin to identify the genus and species of the plant e.g. Peppermint as ‘Mentha Pepita’ as opposed to purely ‘Peppermint Oil’. I personally use Ere Perez Arnica Concealer as it contains arnica flower extract that has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties alongside cocoa butter and sunflower seed oil to promote antioxidant rich moisture.

It is important to build antioxidant processes to inhibit oxidation, where chemical reactions can produce free radicals (unpaired highly reactive molecules) that can damage and change cell DNA. Antioxidants can build up through vitamin C application directly on the skin, such as RORH’s Kakadu Plum Vit C Serum or ingesting antioxidant rich foods regularly, Davidson plum containing some of the highest antioxidant properties although having a bitter taste.

The French Paradox is epidemiologist’s observation of France having one of the lowest cardiovascular disease rates after Korea and Japan aside from high bread, oil and alcohol intake- it is assumed to the antioxidant properties of moulded cheese and red wine. I’m not promoting dairy or alcohol, they also eat at a smaller meals socially and have less processing of food, however it does highlight the significance of antioxidants alongside indulgent situations.

Gumbi Gumbi is a native tree (Pittosporum Augustifolium) of traditional bush-tucker that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples have consumed for thousands of years. It contains antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent colds, flus, combat cold sores and repair cracked lips. One of many incredible traditional bush tucker ingredients. For hydrated lips try to drink as much water as possible until you don’t need lip balm at all.

Contouring & Colour 

I like colour on the face where you naturally would get kissed by the sun. So you could add Ere Perez Beetroot colour tint to the highest points of your cheek bones to create a lift in the shape of your face as opposed to the centre of your cheeks that sometimes can create a drooped appearance. A touch of pink or red to the tip of your nose as the sun would. In combination with bronzing, crème bronzers and/or foundations in a darker hue of your skin tone have quite a natural look as well as a hydrating appearance. I love Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation as both a bronzer and a base. Application to look natural would be directly under the cheek bone to chizzle the face and the build-up can be as much as you desire that area to be defined. Bronze around the top of the forehead blended very well towards temples as the sun would touch it naturally. Bronzing the top of the forehead is good for people with high foreheads, as well as cheek bones for rounded faces that desire definition as dark hues draw the subject in and light draws the subject out so the shapes appearance can be curated.

Eyes & Eyeshadow

I love the education system Rae Morris has created. You can find the complimentary or intensifying colour matches to your eye based on true eyeshadow colours. I personally use my hands for my own makeup in combination of Rae’s Vegan Bronze brush and eyeshadow brushes as their brush texture and shape is articulated so beautifully.

Only powder T-Zone and allow eyelids, cheeks, outer aspects of face to glow from natural oil/perspiration, or apply Biode balm for dewy affect. Use Q tip and Micellar water to remove make-up from freckles to emphasise natural markings and use brow pencil to emphasise it if desired.

Using Naturopathic Philosophies in Your Beauty Routine

From what I have learned through study and life experience thus far when making conscious choices, I think it’s valuable to run through the Naturopathic Philosophies of:

• First do no harm – Avoid creating wastage, buying/applying harsh chemicals regularly, supporting businesses with corrupt intentions.
• Tolle Causum - Treat the cause. Don’t just cover health or insecurity problems, support within. This includes finding beauty products with active, helpful, and natural ingredients.
• Vis Medicatrix Naturae - Turn to the healing power of Nature, through time and resource. Find natural ingredients and spend time in nature for inner and outer healing.
• Tolle Totum - Treat the whole person (inside to outside / organs than skin, Nature, community, mind, body and spirit). For instance, the Medical Medium promotes the use of celery juice to treat internal gut issues to help prevent eczema and dermatitis.
• Prevention - Beware of products that invoke temporary positive reactions on your skin that you can become reliant on over time. Certain products can create specific hormonal reactions or surface level reactions that might work, but over time you become reliant on the product and if/when you stop using it, the problem will come back. Try to find products that treat the cause and therefore prevent ongoing issues. 

My Ethical Essentials :

- Bradwyn Jones Pro Styling Mat, environmentally friendly denim - Re- Comb, Marbled recycled plastic combs

- Kirin Street Vegan leather Kit

- Dalmatian Quartz Gua Sha

- Gracious Minds Oil to Milk Cleanser

- Biode balm

- Vanessa Megan Serums

- Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation (base and bronze)

- Ere Perez brow pencil

- Ere Perez jojoba eye liner

- Ere Perez Avocado waterproof mascara

- Cover FX translucent powder

- Vanessa Megan Rose Spray

- Mandarin & Basil lip balm

With love, 

Cassie Lapthorne

https://www.cassielapthorne.com/

You can find me at Saints of The Wild or work with me at The Uncommon Agency

We have been obsessed with @wildroadwanderers for a while now. Their effortless lifestyle, beautiful imagery, and travel destinations are nothing less than lust-worthy. We were so keen to live the van life like Jess, Jed and Banjo  (jealous much) that we had to ask for some tips on how we could build our very own adventure mobiles. 

Hi! Jess Batheran here! These are our top tips from what we have learnt along the way building our adventure mobiles; 

1. First off, decide what your budget is for your adventure mobile. Figure out what will suit your needs best - whether that be a Van, Bus, Caravan, Troopy or 4wd Truck. Take your time choosing your camper and make sure it's in good mechanical condition. It's always important to check the kilometers, age of the car, tires, brakes, leaks and if it makes any noises.  

2. Next you'll want to measure everything in your camper: length, width and height. Getting all the measurements right is important when you start your build so your equipment fits in right.

3. Make a plan - write down things you want to include in your fit out and head to Pinterest and Instagram for some inspiration. Once you figure out your priorities, you can start drawing up your dream design, like fitting pieces into a puzzle. Play around with some different options until you are happy with it. If your traveling with kids make sure you make a space to store all the fun stuff! 

4. Start your build. Keep the materials you use as lightweight as possible ~ it will keep your camper more fuel-efficient and will save you money when filling up. 

5. Some equipment that's a must is a 12V fridge, a good dual battery system and solar panels to charge your batteries

6. Buy good quality gear, as it will last much longer, be more durable and will stand the test of time across the wild lands. 

7. We recommend going to a rubber and foam shop to test out the mattress's and getting some cut to the perfect size that you need.

8. Get cozy ~ invest in some good linen bedding, put up a few photos and add battery powered fairy lights, makes it feel warm and homely. 

9. We love natural light in our campers, however sometimes you need to block out light to sleep. Curtains are really handy - make them yourself, it's super easy and fun! Head to a craft store, pick some linen and dust off a sewing machine. 

10. Sunset showers are a ideal way to end the day. Solar shower bags are incredible - you can find them at your local camp store. 

Enjoy your home on wheels and take the roads less travelled.

Shop Jess' Looks:

Babylon Maxi Dress in Sunray

Babylon Tunic Dress in Midnight dropping 24th of March at 10am AEDT

Tarni, please introduce yourself...
Hi, I’m Tarni. I’m an Environmental Science student, skipper and underwater photographer based on the Sunshine Coast. I’m passionate about our oceans and hope to use photography as a way to highlight environmental issues and inspire others to live a sustainable lifestyle.


What environmental issue are you most concerned about?
I would probably have to say plastic waste. Learning about how plastic not only pollutes our land, but also contributes to greenhouse gas production and global warming, was the turning point for me. I reflected on my lifestyle and what I could do better to live as zero-waste as possible.

Here’s some information below about plastic and the effect it has on our planet.

Effects of plastic on our oceans:

• Plastic waste is one of the most concerning environmental issues, our population continues to consume and produce disposable plastic waste faster than we can deal with it.
• Our single-use and throw-away culture has led people to using plastic without much thinking. The average Australian generates 59kg of single-use plastic waste every single year. We use it to wrap our food for a few hours then throw it away where it can last on this plant for centuries, some up to 400 years.
• What about recycling? Well recycling is a wonderful thing…however recycling glass, metal and plastic is not all equal. Glass and metal can be recycled indefinitely – but plastic cannot. Also, did you know…about 91% of plastic isn’t actually recycled? Crazy! The small percentage of plastic that is recycled, eventually loses its quality and cannot be recycled again, therefore becoming landfill.
• Most of the plastic in the ocean flows down from coastlines. There are more than 1.8 trillion plastic fragments that make up a monstrous garbage patch in the northern Pacific, and there are many garbage patches floating in our ocean.
• Plastic is also finding its way into oceanic food chains and even into the food we eat. About 90% of seabirds have some kind of plastic remains in their stomach, filling them up and leading to starvation, killing up to a million seabirds a year.
• Microplastics have also been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels.
• Similarly, with sea turtles, plastic looks very much like jellyfish so when it is consumed this can become stuck and prevent proper digestion of food, causing a build-up of gas leading to “floating syndrome”.

Plastic production and global warming.

• Not only is plastic polluting our environment, plastic production and incineration itself also produces greenhouse gases and contributes to global warming. Almost all plastic is derived from fossil fuel materials, like oil and gas. The process of extracting and transporting these, then manufacturing and burning plastic, creates billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases. In a year alone, plastic leads to about 850million tonnes of greenhouse gases produced every single year.

What can we do as individuals to make a difference?
Although so much of our planet’s waste is also produced by huge multi-million dollar companies, thankfully there are changes we can all make individually to help this global issue. Here are some simple swaps for commonly used plastic items in your house and lifestyle.

• Plastic bags and food packaging. Even recycled plastic bags will one day be landfill and break down into microplastics. Choose plastic free alternatives, cardboard boxes if going to fruit and veg store, use paper bags, or reusable material bags.
• Plastic containers. Swap for metal container, reuse Tupperware, or glass jars.
• Plastic drink bottles, and takeaway coffee cups/lids. Bring your own reusable water bottle or coffee keep cup. Always have one in your car or bag before you leave the house.
• Plastic cutlery and straws. Reusable cutlery set. Take this to the markets, work or anywhere else you might be eating on the go.
• Plastic food packaging from grocery stores. (e.g. veggies wrapped in plastic, fruit sold in plastic trays, shelf items sold in plastic bags, sauces and spreads in plastic containers). Take cotton mesh produce bags to grocery store instead of using the clear plastic bags they provide for fresh items. Choose food in cardboard boxes, glass jars or metal cans instead of plastic. Purchase food at the local markets and in bulk as often as possible.
• Household items. Plastic hair brush, plastic tooth brushes, shampoo/conditioner bottles Bamboo hairbrush and toothbrush, or even a rechargeable toothbrush with replaceable heads means less plastic waste, shampoo and conditioner bars. You can also purchase some hair products online that you can send back to have refilled straight into the bottle from the warehouse.
• Clothing. Shop responsibly, only buy what you really want. Try clothe swaps, and taking your unwanted items to an op-shop. Shop from brands that follow sustainable practices such as globetrottersiraconlineusa.
• Discarded fishing gear: Fishing nets, crab pots, fishing line, ropes, lures, bait bags etc. Practice responsible fishing and remove crab pots that aren’t being used, know your knots to help prevent losing your fishing line and lures, take your old lines and rigs to local fishing stores and fishing line recovery bins to be recycled rather than contributing to landfill.

Some other actions you can take to make a difference:

1. Volunteer with local beach clean ups and other conservation groups available in your area. Get your friends and family involved and spread the message.
2. Pick up 3 pieces of plastic each time you visit your local beach or river to help prevent these from reaching our oceans.
3. Donate to ocean conservation organisations.
4. Sign the following petition to ban single use plastics  - marineconservation.org.au

If I had one message...
At the end of the day, making even one small change is better than nothing. The most important message I believe is to produce as little waste as possible, to be a conscious consumer and limit purchasing plastic items (especially single-use plastic items) as much as possible. Glass and metal alternatives are fantastic, but if you already have plastic items at home try to use these as long as possible before buying something more sustainable to replace it.

For your daily dose of ocean and nature inspiration follow Tarni on Instagram @tarnijai

Tarni wears the Wander Top and Shorts on Ochre from our most recent Made in Australia collection, Haven. 

Our in-house Makeup Artist Stass shares all the tips and tricks you should know for easy to do, everyday makeup looks. Achieve that effortless, barely there, makeup look that's simple, and enhances your natural features without packing on the product.

Prep and Protect Your Skin.

Perhaps the most crucial step to any makeup look is skin preparation. Regardless of whether you are using a foundation or skin tint that provides SPF, you should wear a physical sunscreen everyday. 

SUN JUJU have an excellent mineral based sunscreen which has SPF 50. It's non greasy formulation ensuring it does not compromise your makeup. We love it as it's plastic free, mineral and planet based, and is enriched with Kakadu Plum. 

Apply a thin layer of sunscreen all over face and neck, followed by a primer.

Applying Foundation.

As we want the end result to be very natural, I would recommend using your fingers to apply the product. You can dot the foundation on the skin in your key areas: cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Then massage the product into the skin the way you would a moisturiser. The warmth from your fingertips allows the product to melt seamlessly into the skin without the need for buffing it in.

How and Where to Apply Concealer. 

As the eye area is quiet delicate you want to use a creamy/ liquid concealer. This ensures that the area stays hydrated and doesn't cake or build up in the natural creases of the eye. Again, use your finger tips to pat the concealer into the skin. 

If concealing blemishes be sure to apply the product after foundation.

Use a translucent powder to set your makeup in place. This will increase the longevity of your makeup.

How to Contour and Highlight Your Face.

With your bronzer you want to frame your face by creating a ‘three’ shape figure, sweeping your brush across your forehead, cheekbone and down the jawline.

You can also use use your bronzer over the eyelids. Starting from your lash line and working your way up to the crease and blending it out with a small fluffy brush.

Work your blush upwards, starting from the the apples of your cheeks and up to the tops of your cheekbones.

For the Perfect Eyeliner and Lashes.

To create the perfect liquid line, start by looking straight ahead and mapping out where you want your flick to sit.

Connect your flick to the outer corner of the eye and using little strokes, work your way back towards the inner eye. 

The trick is to keep your eyes open and start with your least cooperative eye first. Let's be honest, we all have one eye that is easier to do liner on.

Tips on Styling Your Brows.

Using a brow powder or shadow and a thin angled liner brush, you want to start in the centre of your eyebrows. With small flicking strokes going upwards to mimic hairs. Continue with these strokes following the natural direction of the hairs all the ways to the end 

You just want to fill in the gaps of the brow, be sure not to over do it, as you still want them to appear natural.

Set the brows in place with a clear brow gel. This will stop them from wandering off into different directions throughout the day.

Pucker Up

When selecting a lip product, be sure to select something that is natural and vitamin enriched. 

Eye of Horus Bio Elixa is great option. Its non sticky formula is all natural and organic that nourishes and cares for lips while adding a sheer, sun-kissed glow.

And there you have it, the perfect everyday natural makeup look! 

 Jules, welcome back! What’s happened since we last spoke?
Hello! A lot of prints, coffees, sunset walks, ocean swims and spending time with my loved ones pretty much sums up this last year of mine! I also became an Aunty since we last spoke (a bit exciting) and it’s summertime which makes me so so happy.

For those who have yet to meet you, what are three words you would use to describe yourself?
Creative, cuddly and friendly!

What was the inspiration behind our new Made in Australia print, Wander? 
Wander is inspired by Indian block prints, it has a bohemian feel to it - one of my all time favourite vibes to create.

Our new collection Haven is a beautiful curation of ethically and locally made timeless treasures, marking our continued commitment to localization. As part of this journey, what does consuming responsibly mean to you?
For me, It’s the little things that make such a difference and ultimately brings more joy. From using your own coffee cup, to buying groceries from your nearest farmer’s markets, to supporting small businesses that are creating locally sourced or made products. Working in the fashion industry I definitely see the over excess and environmental impact it has, which can be quite confronting. It means so much to me when I can align with like minded brands who are aware of their footprint. I think this Made in Australia capsule is beyond amazing and I hope it inspires other labels to do the same.

You lost your full-time job to COVID; on reflection, what experience would you like to share?
I guess to just keep on going! In hindsight losing my full time job was the biggest blessing, I am so content and proud of where I am with my career today. I am literally working my dream job and I never would have made it here without being thrown so suddenly into the 'deep end'.

Something I truly believe in is…
Everything happens for a reason.

My secret talent is…
Oooft... I can play the piano!?

I won’t compromise on…
Wow, this is such a tricky one... the first thing that popped into my head was ice cream, haha.

What is one song or artist that will always get you up and dancing and why?
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, I love a good swaying kind of sing a long boogie!

What are you looking forward to in 2022?
I’m looking forward to a few local getaways here and there, to finding more of a work/life balance and to a bit more normality in the world. It’s also the year of 30ths in my friendship groups so I’m super excited to celebrate with everyone.

Read our first ever Meet The Maker's interview with Jules on the journal HERE.

And for your daily dose of creative inspiration follow Jules on Instagram @__by.jules

Discover Haven that Jule's helped to create online now. 

Mental health is at the centre of our physical wellbeing, our creativity, and our connection to our self and others. 

So, for World Mental Health Day we're offering you a free 20 minute meditation with Hayley Rose Yoga on our Instagram tonight at 8pm. Take this time for yourself, you deserve the me-time. 

We'd love to introduce you to Hayley – She's a local Byron Bay yoga teacher. In our effort to support locals after the impact of the pandemic on our community, we are doing everything we can to give back to the people who make Byron so special, the locals. Keep an eye our for a special offer from Hayley in the interview below.

Hayley, please introduce yourself…

My name is Hayley Rose. I’m a full-time yoga teacher and wannabe artist. I’m conveniently small so I fit inside most nooks nicely. I am an excellent breakfast chef and I like to spend my spare time riding on my surfboard. This year I shaved my head and wished I did it ten years ago when I first had the compulsion. I have had the immense privilege of growing up on Bundjalung Country.

How have your childhood and life experiences shaped your work? 

Growing up by the sea and surrounded by the bush, I spent much of my time at the beach, exploring rainforests and discovering waterfalls. I remember as a child on a Sunday, Dad would just get the family in the car and we would drive through the hinterland buying fruit and vegetables from honesty boxes and marveling at the sheer beauty of our surroundings. These early experiences of nature as well as exposure to alternative practices and ways of thinking have moulded who I am as a person. They influence my art, my teaching and my self-practices. I tried city-life… Turns out I’m a nature gal through and through.

Do you have any traditions or rituals that you hold onto? 

My most treasured ritual is living in harmony with my menstrual cycle. Particularly with taking a day for myself, phone free, in the first couple of days of bleeding. This is something I’ve developed over the last five years and something that has influenced my life, my teaching and my relationships to others and myself in such a profound and unexpected way.

Also, my meditation practice and a cup of tea in the morning is a non-negotiable these days, something that used to seem so daunting is now my greatest ally.

Human connection to the natural elements is deep and complex: does this connection often translate into your work? 

Absolutely. As I mentioned, I live my life in rhythm with my menstrual cycle, and at the same time, I try to do my best to live in harmony with the seasons. A cyclical life not just in relation to my menstrual cycle but the cyclical nature of all things. I do my best to adjust my life and my offerings accordingly. Traditional Chinese Medicine, which looks a lot at the seasons and how they affect us energetically and physically, is something that has become more and more prominent in my personal practice and filters down into my classes.

I’m always teaching what I am practicing myself.

What does wellness, balance, and mental health mean to you?

It means taking rest when I need it. It means nourishing my nervous system. It means cups of tea and real connection. Having purpose and meaning in my life. 

For me, my wellness comes from a balance in my work and play relationship, my physical health and emotional wellbeing. These all generally equate to a fairly stable state of mind.

I feel like wellness or self-care can sometimes be packaged and sold to us, but there’s such importance in carving your own definitions of these things. Wellness looks different for different people.

Information, and our minds, are running fast. In a virtual age what strategies would you suggest to manage our body and mind, and cultivate a real experience of connectedness?

Mmm, good question. My first response is to lean into a yoga and meditation practice. Nothing connects me more to my body and breath. Simple, slow, nervous system calming practices.

I know it might seem obvious but phone free days are essential. We live in an age where we are more connected yet more distant than ever before, not to mention perpetually overstimulated. Remembering to take time away from my phone, or social media at least, actually leaves me feeling more connected than if I had been engaging in what my peers are doing.

Freelancing is hard, and if you’re like me and Instagram is a work thing, try deleting the app off your phone when you’re not ‘at work’. I delete the app in the evenings and reinstall it in the morning when I need it for work. 10/10 would recommend.

Other than that, time in nature. Even if it’s just a stroll through the park. No device, just trees and fresh air.

What are the different styles of meditation that you practice and what would you recommend for a beginner?

Anapanasati (breath focused meditation) and vipassana meditation are my go-to’s - both simple practices that require nothing more than a place to sit.

Incorporating pranayama (breath work) into your meditation practice is a useful tool for beginners, giving the mind a task to focus actively on is often less daunting than just sitting in silence with your mind whirling.

I have a range of meditations and breath work practices on my online platform that are so very beginner friendly. ARNHEMLOVE will get you one month free <3

How does your work examine the intricacies of body-love and body-loathing, anxiety, relationships, sex and sexuality, gender and the mind body function?

As someone who battled a fairly severe eating disorder for the majority of my teens, my work as a yoga teacher has required of me the type of fierce self-love that can sometimes be challenging. I know for certain that when I’m on the teachers’ mat, demonstrating shapes and offering my small tidbits of wisdom, there is no room for self-loathing. Being a teacher in a community comes with an immense responsibility.

One bad experience on the yoga mat can negatively affect someone's feelings towards yoga as a whole. We need to be creating safe and inclusive spaces for people to come and take from the offering that which serves them, and not feel pressured to participate in anything that doesn’t feel right.

Do you view your work as social activism?

To a degree, yes, even if not directly. I try my best to make my offerings as accessible to as many people as possible, both physically and financially. Inclusivity is so important to me.
Something that I’m noticing in yoga studios is the demographic is becoming smaller and smaller. Too often the yoga room is occupied by a particular demographic to the point where someone who doesn’t necessarily fit that description might feel intimidated or uncomfortable.
Yoga is for everyone. If you can breathe, you can do yoga.
I don’t care if you can stand on your hands or not.

I’m also in the process of developing a course with yoga for the phases of the menstrual cycle. On how to live a more cyclical life and adjust our yoga practices accordingly. As we become more aware of our cyclical bodies, in this disconnected and overstimulated world, honouring our bodies is a quiet form of feminism. So from that perspective, yes.

Who is your personal hero?

I don’t know that I believe in heroes. But let’s say my mum. She’s the most gracious, kind and loving person I know.

I am most looking forward to…

Learning. Always, The more I learn, the more I know, I don’t know much. I’m looking forward to life. I found something I love so young. I know that as I age, my practice will continue to  be my pillar and I’m excited to see how this relationship develops as I am granted the time to deepen my practices.

Want to practice more with Hayley or dip your toe into some yoga and meditation practice? 

Hayley’s SLOW. subscription is an online platform which gives you access to weekly live classes of slow flow yoga as well as an ever-growing library of yoga, meditations and other relaxation tools to nourish your nervous system, improve sleep and promote a stable state of being.

Use the code ARNHEMLOVE to receive one free month of access on www.hayleyroseyoga.com.

Shop the looks featured in this post:

Dylan Sundress in Amber

Bella Knit Pants in Chai (On Sale)

Faith Bodysuit in Black 

In honour of National Biodiversity Month 2021 we are introducing you to Conservation Photojournalist, Paul Hilton.

globetrottersiraconlineusa friend, and global environmental and conservation activist Paul Hilton, has spent his career as a photojournalist documenting some of the most heinous wildlife and environmental crimes on this planet. Having travelled the globe and returned to Australia, Paul remarks how he has come back to a 'country in crisis’ and questions why as a country we are cutting down more trees than any other first world country. Paul’s most recent work, a feature documentary called Kalamunda, explores the devastating ongoing loss of Australian forest and fauna.

In this narrated show of challenging, uplifting, provocative and revelatory images captured by Paul, he takes us on a journey behind the lens illustrating how our attitudes, decisions and actions as humans impact the natural world.

Some of the images in this film may cause upset: however, the truth is that they help to make it impossible for exploitative industries to deny the suffering and injustice too often kept out of the public consciousness.

WARNING: Graphic Images Ahead.

To find out more about Kalamunda Paul’s feature documentary head on over to the website here kalamunda.org

We also caught up with Paul's team to talk more about conservation and environmental issues. Below we chat with Meghan Halverson, responsible for Production of Kalamunda.

What are your thoughts on Australia's climate policy?

Currently, the National Climate Policy of Australia is weak and gives no assurance that we can meet necessary reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as promised. We are being seen by the rest of the world, as a country lacking in commitment to climate change for our continued use of fossil fuels and coal.

Climate change, land use change, habitat destruction, fragmentation and degradation, as well as invasive species all contribute to the pressures effecting the Australian environment. The lack of commitment by the Australian Government has been demonstrated through continued reliance on a system that needs radical change in order to have any positive effect on reducing the climate crisis we now encounter.

What do you consider to be the biggest threat to biodiversity here in Australia?

The biggest threat to biodiversity in Australia is clearly habitat loss and fragmentation. The forests are the base for ecological health for many species including koalas and continued destruction of habitat will be the path to wildlife extinction if continued at its current rate. Ultimately, if we destroy the delicate ecological balance of a forest, humans will suffer greatly as we have already seen with continuing effects of climate change such as increased drought, fire and natural adverse weather effects.

How can government policy help mitigate biodiversity loss here in Australia?
As recently announced in Western Australia, one of the key ways to help mitigate biodiversity loss will be a commitment to stop the logging of native forests. WA has committed to doing so by 2024. If other States followed suit and we continued to regenerate forests connecting existing habitat, we could change the trajectory of biodiversity loss across the landscape as well as providing a base for improving climate action.

What can we do as individuals to take action?

Join a conservation group and get active in that group to collectively work out solutions to preserve, protect and enhance the biodiversity within your region. Plant trees, decrease your consumption of meat, be a conscious consumer and research who produces sustainable products from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear to the energy resources we use.

DONATE to an organisation that is making a difference for our forests and the flora and fauna within them.

bobbrown.org.au
npansw.org.au/campaigns-2/great-koala-national-park/
koalacrusaders.org.au
wafa.org.au
canopyplanet.org
peace4animals.net


Follow us and our story on instagram: @kalamundaofficial
 

We should never feel guilty about listening to our bodies and giving them the love they need and deserve. Especially when it comes to topics that are typically taboo such as self-pleasure. September 4th is World Sexual Health Day and what goes better with the launch of our new intimates than a little bit of self-lovin’? We asked Rachel, the founder of LBDO about sexual wellness and why we need to look at our sexuality as a key part of our holistic health. 

We care about you, uncover a special offer at the end of this article to help you get through these strange times with a little bit more pleasure 😉

Can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself and the LBDO’s mission?

I was working as a PR Manager at L’Oreal when the pandemic hit last year and we were forced into a lockdown here in Victoria. During that time at home, I had the chance to re-evaluate my priorities and think about my future, and I felt an urge to do something I was more passionate about that would bring me greater purpose.

And so, I decided to take the leap and launch LBDO - a purpose-driven startup creating sexual wellness products that will elevate your bedroom essentials.

Our mission is to break down taboos and stigmas around sex and pleasure by normalising the surrounding conversation. We want to empower everybody to experience sexual pleasure and that starts with education. We want to give people a place they can come to learn, ask questions and have open, safe discussions about pleasure. We want to teach people that not only is pleasure their human right, but ways in which they can experience it, why they may not have experienced it and that it’s okay to feel good.

What inspired you to start a sexual wellness brand?

I wanted to take the plunge to do something that was going to make a difference and that would be fulfilling and meaningful.

The idea came about based on my own experience of not being able to find products that reflected me and my sexual experience. I remember going into a dingy sex store and being so intimidated and overwhelmed by the overtly phalic, tacky, bright pink and purple products that were staring back at me. I was always overcome with a feeling of shame and embarrassment - like it was something dirty I was doing. Similarly, when friends would talk about sex products or if they were gifted one for a hen’s night or birthday, it was always received as a bit of a joke and met with giggles. I felt there were no products on the market for ‘real people’, ones that really spoke to me and my sexual experiences - beautiful, vulnerable and unique. I wanted products that looked as beautiful as the skincare and fragrances I was buying, that were equally as functional and that I could leave out on display on my nightstand. I wanted to take the giggles out of owning and gifting pleasure products.

It’s taken a lot of work within myself to re-educate and learn to view sexual health as a fundamental part of my overall health. Ultimately, I want to be able to share this with others and remind people that sexual health is health and just as important as your mental and physical health - sexuality is an integral part of who we are and that is nothing to be ashamed of.

What are some of the hurdles you’ve come against in the industry?

Where to begin! It’s hard to look past the hurdle of launching during a global pandemic - launching a business at any stage is difficult but throwing in a global pandemic has meant that I’ve experienced a lot of additional challenges from shipping delays, production and manufacturing. Something that would usually be resolved in 10 minutes if you were in person has taken days because it’s much harder to explain things over video or a phone call.

Another big hurdle has been the restrictions on social media in the sexual wellness space - Facebook and Instagram don’t allow you to advertise any sex products so that’s made it tricky in terms of getting the brand out there and seen by more people. Pretty much every other industry allows you to promote your products so that’s definitely been a hurdle and something we’re still figuring out. One way we’re trying to get around this is by working with different influencers and brand ambassadors however - as much as we like to think that we’ve broken down the stigmas - the reality is that so many still don’t feel comfortable talking about it. I’ve found it more challenging than expected trying to get people to jump on board our mission and help us normalise the conversation around sex and pleasure. It’s super important to us so we’ll keep fighting for it so that everyone knows that pleasure is our human right.

So, it is World Sexual Health Day...apart from the very limited and highly stigma-filled education we get in school about STIs and STDs. What is sexual wellness?

In the same way that I take a holistic view of health, I apply the same approach to sexual wellness. Sexual wellness to me is connected to our emotional, physical and relational wellbeing; it includes things such as how comfortable we feel in our skin, how connected we feel to ourselves and our desires, and how we feel in our relationships. It’s important that we create a space for people to be able to access comprehensive and factual sex education, learn about broad and diverse perspectives and experiences of sex, so ultimately we can choose what will empower our own sexual wellness journeys.

Why is sex an important part of a holistic health regime?

At LBDO, we look at health in a really holistic manner and your mental health, physical health and sexual health are all integral parts to that. There are so many benefits to investing in your sexual health - easing stress, boosting your mood, building connection with yourself and with others, and so much more. When we feel good mentally and physically (i.e. more energised and less stressed), we generally want to have more sex and invest in our sexual pleasure. Just like we prioritise our mental and physical health, sexual health is key to helping us function and feel our best.

How can we bring sexual wellness into relationships and our solo practices?

• Shift the conversation and internal dialogue - make it a joyful conversation and a celebration instead of a conversation based on fear, stigma and taboo.
• Start by making it a priority in your life - educate yourself on topics surrounding sexual health - whether that’s broader discussions around sexual health and it’s origins or the anatomy of your own body. As they say, knowledge is power and there is nothing more empowering than understanding yourself and your body more.
• Masturbate - connect with your body and mind, give yourself pleasure and make time for things that feel good. There is nothing shameful about masturbating; if it feels good for you, incorporate sex toys into your practice. Our Essensual Vibe is a great beginner vibrator for all erogenous zones.
• In your relationship, prioritise open communication - tell your partner(s) what feels good for you and what you need from each other in the relationship. While they might seem like hard conversations to have, investing in your relationship through constant open dialogue helps to build a really healthy relationship based on trust and open communication.

Why do you think so many women have disconnected from prioritising pleasure in their lives?

For so long, whether it be through a lack of thorough and inclusive sex education, porn, books or television, we’ve been fed an unrealistic and inaccurate depiction of sex and sexuality. When people think about sex, they more often than not think about penis-in-vagina, heteronormative intercourse, whereby the ‘act’ ends when the male ejaculates. Of course, sex and sexuality is so much broader than that and this kind of information and messaging can be really harmful as it doesn’t take into account a woman's sexual needs or desires. Sex education should be so much more than putting a condom on a banana and understanding how babies are made. We really need to shift the conversation to empowering people with information in a really positive, joyful way and teaching people that they have a right to experience pleasure - however they may like to experience it.

What do you think these on and off again lockdowns have done to people’s sexual wellness?

I think it’s fair to say that none of us feel our best right now! With all of the challenges that come from being confined to your house, there’s a good chance that in one way or another, our physical, mental and sexual selves have been impacted. These lockdowns may have affected how comfortable and confident we feel in our skin, how we are feeling and behaving in our relationships and how connected we feel to our wants and needs, so it’s only natural that your overall sexual health and sense of wellbeing has been impacted in some way. While everyone and their experience is different, just know that no matter what you are feeling - I guarantee you are not alone.

What are some tips to reconnect with one’s pleasure?

• Dedicate time to self-love and make it a priority. Pleasure is different for everybody because every body is different so this can look different for everyone. Whatever it is for you, make time for things that feel good. Some things that you might enjoy are having a date night with yourself, masturbating, watching ethical porn, journaling, giving yourself a massage, running a bath, reading your favourite book, cooking, catching up with friends, reading erotic literature, spending time in nature. Whatever it is, invest in things that make you feel good.
• Explore our range of inclusive guided self-pleasure audios and browse through our educational posts on our blog, The Talk.
• I encourage everyone to read, listen to podcasts, start to have really open and honest conversations with the people around you, become familiar with your body and what feels good for you.

For a topic that is sadly still typically taboo, how do you recommend we as women open up the conversation more? And, particularly parents with their children?

• Start by educating yourself so you’re better equipped to have these conversations with the people around you, and particularly your children. Start viewing pleasure as a human right, instead of something that’s shameful or embarrassing. Speak about it with friends and your children in this light as well. Sex and pleasure should never be painful or embarrasing.
• Knowledge is so powerful so providing this information to your children is only going to be beneficial for them in understanding themselves more.
• Remember, if you don’t pass this knowledge onto your children, they will become curious and research this information themselves and there’s still so much inaccurate and harmful information out there when it comes to sex. If you don’t feel comfortable having these conversations with them, you might like to buy them a book or point them to a safe place where they can go to learn in a really comfortable environment.

Is there a particular product you’d recommend for those just starting out on their self-pleasure journey?

Our Essensuals Bundle is a great beginner toolkit to start investing and prioritising your pleasure. In particular, our Essensual Vibe is an external vibrator that’s made with the highest quality medical grade silicone and is a great tool for any level of experience. There’s no correct way to do sex - whether solo or partnered - so start by exploring what feels good for you know that there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. You deserve to feel good.

Relax and unwind with a new intimates set from globetrottersiraconlineusa and some sexual wellness products from LBDO.

Take 20% off your next full price purchase from LBDO 

Take 25% off full priced Faith Intimates

Go on, you deserve it. 

Next in our Artist & Muse series we're introducing you to one of our favourite celestial beings, Annie. 

We've been following Annie's journey for some time, admiring her art and words as she shares her magical journey through life. Below we talk to this local creative about her work, life this year through turbulent times and her endlessly intriguing approach to healing with earth's energy. 

Meet our dream girl below…

Annie, please introduce yourself…
My name is Annie, I am an independent artist and the creator of DreamyMoons. I am currently living in my dream location - Northern Rivers, NSW. I moved to Australia when I was 11 years old from Moscow, Russia, where I was born and where I spent my childhood frolicking in magical forests and reading endless fantasy books, that to this day inspire my art. Apart from art, I enjoy yoga, cooking, hiking, spending time with horses and reading.

What has this year been like for you?
A lot of changes happened earlier this year. I separated with my partner, moved houses, went through some health problems. But for the past month, I have finally been feeling incredible and back in my creative flow. I am learning to embrace change, because in the end it all works out for the best. I truly believe all these difficulties I went through earlier were necessary for me to enter this new chapter of life, which so far has been incredible.

How was Dreamy Moons born and how has it evolved?
I have always been drawing and writing. Since I learned how to write, my hobby was creating my own little books. I would write a simple story, illustrate it, and staple the pages together. When I finished high school I was afraid of the competition in the art and design field, I didn’t feel like I had anything to bring to the table. I went to study naturopathy instead which was incredible, and I loved it so much, but something was missing. It was creativity, of course. I decided to open an Etsy shop simply in hope that it would motivate me to paint and create more once I see that others like what I do. I didn’t ever think I would create a successful business and actually make books, for real this time! It was just a project for fun. I named my shop DreamyMoons because back then, all I did was paint watercolour moons.

What are the methods you use to stimulate energetic expansion and self-exploration?
Yoga and solo time in nature. Yoga allows me to get in touch with my body, mind and soul. My inner world. It allows me to slow down and go inwards, reflect and process. Solo time in nature allows me to go outwards. Observing the trees, birds, butterflies all existing in perfect harmony brings me so much inner peace. I also get a lot of creative ideas when I am walking or hiking.

I feel connected to the earth when …
I am naked swimming in a creek, or gardening under the morning sun.

I’m passionate about …
Healing and helping others through my art and books.

I feel powerful when …
I am doing yoga!

My happiness derives from …
Living my truth and seeing others around me happy.

Our next Full Moon is on August 22nd in Aquarius; what does this represent for you and what ritual will you practice?
I love getting together with girlfriends to watch the full moon rise over the ocean. We always bring journals and incense and an oracle/tarot deck. We normally journal about what we are letting go and safely burn that page, and journal about all we want to call in and manifest.

What’s next for you?
My next big release will be my annual 2022 Year of Growth Books, diaries full of astrology, self reflection prompts, affirmations and intention setting. I am very excited about this one because it’s my 4th diary and the previous 3 diaries sold out so incredibly fast. They will be released on dreamymoons.com.au on the 5th September!

Spread the magic...
We’ve partnered with Dreamy Moons to bring you a giveaway from the stars! Enter to win a pack of soul whisper cards and a gratitude journal.

Wearing: Story Blouse in Midnight, Stella Skirt in Pepper, The Don Wide Brim Hat in Ivory, Circulate Tote 

Sylvie, please introduce yourself…
My name is Sylvie Kettle, I’m a full-time artist living on Bundjalung Country. I’ve just moved to Myocum with my lover, musician Billy Otto, and we couldn't be happier enjoying this sweet earth together.

What does a typical day look like for you?
My first waking moments are really important with my beloved, enjoying the emerging of the morning together & looking over the hinterland. I love to begin the day with yoga at first light. My morning flow and meditation is like the incubation period of my art practice, where I can connect to essence & ruminate on stillness and potential. Afterwards I’ll go to the studio; I love creating through the morning! Then the rest of the day will flow and change greatly.

Sometimes more painting, gardening, resting (I love to nap), emails, cooking, ocean, meeting clients or embracing & connecting with my dearest humans.
The nature of my work really moves in seasons. Whether it is painting for weeks on end, or resting & filling my cup back up, its all equally important. Each season implies the other.

Wearing: Christina Mini Dress in Pink Iris 

Tell us about your journey and how it’s evolved to be where you are creatively today.
As a child I was always creating. I remember finding any random house paints & pin boards/wood/fabric to paint on, I craved it from an early age. Eventually my mum put me into art school for many years with my now long time friend Gillian who runs Artable, when it was a regular technique based education. I was obsessed with watercolour and botanicals, deep diving into realism for years until I found it didn't light me up anymore.

I travelled on and off for a few years, living in Portugal for some time thinking that my painting days were over ahaha! Little did I know!

I began life drawing with artist & wordsmith Ron Curran who encouraged me to get out of my mind and into my body. A process of composting my realist education into a new world of abstraction, immediacy and intuition.

I never really intended to be a full time artist, but there came a point where I realised I was already doing it and I've decided to show up for that everyday since.

Ron said to me one day “ Sylvie, you know you’ve been doing this since you were a child, just with different things instead of paint”. And I think this is true for all of us in some ways, your inclinations are always there- we just find different ways to express them over time.

Wearing: Stella Playsuit in Fennel, Stella Headscarf in Fennel, Revive Dog Bandana in Fennel 

The title of your most recent exhibition was A Meeting Place. How did this title and body of work connect and come to fruition for you?
The name came forward over a chai with dearest sister Nidala Barker (also an incredible musician).

It can be hard to talk about your art after you create it because often the painting language does not translate to words. Actually, I think a lot of things don't really translate - they are felt, and sometimes soul can be lost in translation when we naturally turn to meaning making.

So I arrived at ‘A Meeting Place’ because it allowed for a sense of spaciousness. A language of symbology that worked more as a gateway to the art, not a direct translation.

The term place can have many different feels to it & tends to move beyond the tangibility of a space. It's so sensory for me, and I love that it can be viewed through many different lenses; a place can be physical, emotional, spiritual etc.

I notice in response to my art, some people resonate with the colours, others the female form, or maybe the mystery of abstraction. It's like “choose your vehicle!” And hopefully it propels them past the form into a meta space of the wider experience. At the end of the day, we all arrive at A Meeting Place of oneness.

Wearing: Christina Mini Dress in Pink Iris 

Your work expresses the ebbs and flow of nature and the inherent connection to the feminine divine. How did this come to find its way into your style of painting and when did expressing this first resonate with you?
I’m the youngest of three daughters in my family, so we had a deeply feminine charged family life. I really grew to understand the seasons of the feminine through my older sisters and craved my initiation into the world of periods & womanhood as a child!

I’m also a part of the first generation to really grow up with social media from a young age & observe how that has specifically affected young women & their ideas of beauty and sense of self first hand.

When I stepped into my first life drawing class, it shook me how much I realised I craved this kind of honouring of the female body. People from all walks of life creating ritual around the slow & present observation of the feminine form.
This age old tradition started out as a sort of rebellion for me against today's limiting representation of women, but turned into so much more.

In this space she brings forth the divine but also in no way different to a tree or a mountain. You can be observing the curves of a woman's hips or the light on her belly button but the line itself becomes an endless representation of the pulse of life. When you abstract this curvature it can become a hairline or a highway, if you know what I mean? Form can be an entry point to all things, and I’m still in the process of unravelling this.

Wearing: Stella Skirt in Pepper, Faith Crop in Rust

Can you tell us about your creative process, is it emotional, intuitive or purely visual?
It is many things at once! I like to think of my role as opening the channel between artist, muse and artwork. Art is prayer for me, a connection to something intrinsic; an idea that desires to be materialised. It can sound serious at times, but I also think it's simply play- play as an avenue to flow-state. Children instinctively know how to do it and perhaps creating into adulthood is our way of re-discovering that inherent connection we have with the divine. Somewhere between listening, discipline & trust I find intimacy with this universal impulse. And if I land here I can lose sense of time for hours.

Nick Cave explains the artists process so perfectly;
"Ideas are everywhere and forever available, provided you are prepared to accept them. This takes a certain responsibility to the artistic process. There is discipline and rigour and preparation involved... The sitting comes first, turning up with a certain alertness to possibility. Only then does the idea feel free to settle. It settles small and very tentatively, then, through your active attention, it can grow into something much bigger. Sitting in a readied state can sometimes last a long and anxious time. But you must not despair! I have never found a situation where the idea refuses to come to the prepared mind. While you are in this prepared state, be the thing you want to be. If it is a writer, then write. Initially, stream of consciousness is fine. Write without judgement and self-condemnation. Write playfully and recklessly. Even if this initial writing appears of little value, keep going, for the beautiful idea has awakened and is moving toward you... It is you that it is searching for and you alone. Be yourself. The idea is moving closer."

Wearing: Stella Skirt in Pepper, Faith Bandeau in Noir

What role does the artist have in society?
Ooh I love this! An age old question!

The role of the artist, to me, is to be as unclouded as possible in order to move & express with the rhythms of truth. The world doesn’t need just another neutral, inoffensive painting; we live in a time where we need to make art matter. The artist's role also brings with it the archetype of the mystic and the healer, the messenger and prophet. I think it's really important to be tapping into rhythms beyond the material world, so we don't just become an earthly echochamber of what's trending. I take a lot of responsibility for this role knowing that people live with my art, and it becomes apart of their everyday. Many people exclaim notions of remedy through my work which is deeply gratifying for me.

Wearing: Savannah Overalls in Sage

What’s next for you?
I’m very excited to be launching a small new collection with Fenton & Fenton, I’ll be creating these pieces in the next few weeks - so stay tuned for that!
I have many commissions scheduled so I’ll also be tapping into the experiences of some special people to bring forward resonant paintings for them.

This last exhibition really excited me with the possibilities of creating an experience around immersive art. My partner and I really want to curate more beautiful mergings of music, art & spoken word and take it Australia wide. I’m calling in another exhibition perhaps at the end of this year or the start of next- I just don't know where yet. Whatever happens I’m here for it!


What are your top 5 tunes to inspire the creative process?

Give Me Love - George Harrison
Halah - Mazzy Star
Arrabi al Arabe - Mariem Hassan
Fantastic Man - William Onyeabor
Beautiful Strangers - Kevin Morby

‘A Meeting Place’ will be showing at Newrybar Merchants until August 23rd; view the catalogue HERE.

Contact Sylvie via email for any commision enquiries: [email protected]

And for your daily dose of creative inspiration follow @kettlepaints on Insta.

Shop Sylvie's looks online here. 

Lana, please introduce yourself…
Hello, my name is Lana and I am student of life! I love learning and being inspired and curios with this mind-blowing thing we call life! I am an artist, teacher, yogi and mumma to be.

What does a typical day look like for you?
There is no such thing as a typical day for me, I love having a variety of jobs, projects and artworks on the go. In saying that I love to wake up, cuddle my dog and my partner, do a bit of yoga or go for a walk.

What was the strongest influence you had when you were growing up that shaped your work as an artist?
Growing up in Far North Queensland, I grew up spending a lot of time in the bush, camping, making shoes out of paper bark trees, nests out of foraged grass and sticks, and bridges and sculptures out of driftwood. This is where my love of nature was nurtured, and ignited in me an endless curiosity and fascination with the world. This curiosity shapes all the work I produce. I love seeing how far I can explore and investigate a natural material, or what type of dye I can get out of a food scrap, or turning a mundane item into something otherworldly.

Tell us about your journey and how it’s evolved to be where you are creatively today.
What a ride! I spent my late teens and early to mid twenties modelling in Australia and London. This industry was dynamic and fun but never filled me up and I longed to expand and learn more. After spending a year in India, I realised my heart was in art and yoga and this is when I decided to study fine arts and do my yoga teacher training. Through my late twenties I taught yoga, created large scale installations and stages at festivals around Australia, and did art direction at numerous events.

Last year the covid blow to the arts and event industry was harsh and swift. It was the first industry to close and probably the last to open. I was also handed another challenge, that was the catalyst that propelled me to create the work that I do now. In April last year I was diagnosed with VTOS and had to get my rib removed on my right side as it has squashed my vein and created a blood clot. With limited movement I was suddenly unable to create the work I normally did with @within_space. This challenging time is where I found my love for weaving, looming and natural dyeing. The softness and gentle nature of creating these sculptural, textual wall hangings is so satisfying and nurturing for me and I cannot wait keep exploring it.

What’s the most memorable project that you’ve worked on and why?
It would have to be the final piece I produced at university, where over 7/8 months I slowly created an installation made out of used tea bags, 5000 in total! I managed to create a 25m long visceral labyrinth that spoke about intimacy, slowing down, sensuality, and connecting with yourself. See pictures of my website  if this tickles your fancy as it’s hard to explain in words.

Where do you find creative inspiration?
Inspiration comes in so many shapes and forms, it can be an emotion I feel I need to express, a topic I want to explore, a dream, a material I find interesting, a colour palette …….endless really.

Tell us about the process of creating the Revive loom piece for globetrottersiraconlineusa.
It all started with a conversation between myself and the globetrottersiraconlineusa team. We chatted about the concept of the work and the materials being used. We wanted the piece to be predominately made out of recycled off cuts from globetrottersiraconlineusa fabric as the concept was about circularity and closing the loop with waste in the fashion industry. I then did up a few sketches and globetrottersiraconlineusa gave me a big box of offcuts to work with. I love the process of creating, it becomes a moving mediation and this piece was just that.

What role does the artist have in society?
I see art as a language and emotion that can be communicated. I feel art has the capacity to translate the emotions and struggles of the society it exists within.


What messages do you try to convey through your work?
I am always exploring the interwoven connection between nature and ourselves. I feel cultivating compassion often begins from nurturing love for our own self and this planet and that by reaching outside of our own experiences can help us move beyond ourselves.


What’s next for you?
Keep creating, keep exploring, keep learning, keep loving!

Please feel free to contact Lana to chat about commissions, art or collaboration at lanascoville.com or follow and DM Lana @loominary_space

Every year literally hundreds of millions of sunglasses end up in landfill. The waste produced by the sunnies industry includes plastics, glass and metals, not to mention the water used during the manufacturing process. And this is where Sunglsses Fix comes to the rescue, offering a solution to reuse scratched sunglasses by replacing the lenses!

So let's meet the innovator behind the brand below & at the bottom find out more about the exciting offer we have for you in collaboration with Sunglasses Fix to celebrate Plastic Free July!
 

CRAIG, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF…
I’m Craig Anderson, the CEO and founder of Sunglass Fix. I grew up in Southern California and after school ended up working in the San Francisco area. When I was in my mid-twenties I was sent to Melbourne on a consulting job where I met the girl of my dreams, Lainie. After two and a half years in Australia the job ended and we both returned to San Francisco, got married and worked through the dot.com boom in Silicon Valley. However, when it came time to start a family, we decided that the best place to raise them would be in Australia. About 4 years after returning to Australia I took a redundancy rather than relocating our new family to China for work and decided to start a business. We’ve been living up in the Byron Shire for about 12 years now, have two children, and couldn’t think of a better place to live. Life is great.

WHAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR STARTING SUNGLASS FIX?
As mentioned, when leaving the corporate world, I was set on starting a business. I spent almost 5 months researching what sort of business I wanted to start. After 20 years in the technology sector I felt I had to leverage my skills. However, after years of travel and a young family most of the business seemed to involve me being away from home. In the later parts of writing multiple business plans, I opened a drawer in my desk to discover three pairs of sunglasses. All of them had scratched lenses. I started taking out the lenses, putting them back in, researching if they could be repaired, only to find out there wasn’t any economically viable options to repair sunglasses with lens damage. Being in the business mindset I was in, I started to see if others were in my situation and if I could solve the problem. I felt I could. The numbers added up, and I thought if I could reach a global audience through technology it would work. Thus Sunglass Fix was born. Mind you, most people thought the idea was crazy and that I would fail.

TELL US ABOUT THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUNGLASSES INDUSTRY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY…
I’ve always been frugal. I think it came from my dad, who grew up on a small farm in Nebraska. We always fixed things and I find great satisfaction in making things last. Therefore, when I did research for Sunglass Fix and found that a Billion pairs of sunglasses are sold each year, (that was in 2005 mind you), I was alarmed that almost all manufactures didn’t supply repair parts or made the process so complex and costly that you might as well buy another pair. I just felt it was corporate obsolescence in play…big time. I was well aware that many companies design products to have a limited life. I felt the lenses in sunglasses scratched too easily and then being irreplaceable it would drive people to throw away perfectly good frames and buy a new pair. I also felt this was leading to consumers buying very low-quality products after finding that a 300 dollar pair didn’t last as long as they hoped. I’ve also seen over the years how sunglass manufacturers move from releasing certain styles then making them obsolete and then releasing them. In my opinion, cheap, poorly made sunglasses, built to last a very short time; combined with rapid style changes, falls into the definition of Fast Fashion.

YOU WON THE APAC EXCELLENCE AWARD IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY - TELL US ABOUT THIS…
To be honest I was both surprised and honoured when we won this award. While we’ve always tried to explain the importance or repairing perfectly good products and have supported groups like the Repair Cafe, it was the APAC group that read our submission and felt what we were doing was incredibly sustainable. In some ways they pointed out how the industry could be changed if we are successful at letting people all over the world know that their sunglasses can be easily repaired at a fraction of the cost of buying a new pair. While we have a long way to go to make replacing lenses common knowledge, I do feel strongly that we will make a good dent and a good portion of those Billion sunglasses will be repaired rather than disposed of. Since I started the business we’ve seen two large companies start up in the USA, doing what we are doing. And there are many more smaller players out there trying to get into the Replacement Lens industry we pioneered.

While we are a long way from reaching all sunglass users I think the industry is hear to last and we are positioned to continue to play an important role in it.

HOW MANY FRAMES HAVE YOU SAVED FROM LANDFILL SINCE SUNGLASS FIX BEGAN?
At present we have saved well over 300,000 pairs of sunglasses from going into landfill. It has been a long journey over the past 16 years. Initially we only performed custom lens replacement for customers, in order to grow our CAD database with the designs for each model of sunglass. It was just me, and I’d be lucky to sell 5,000 pairs in a year. This year we are on track to repair over 70,000 pairs and our goal in 2022 is repair over 100,000. We now have the largest database of replacement lenses in the world, and with our streamlined, dynamic manufacturing process, can make over 300,000 different sunglass models.

YOU’RE LEADING THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION: WHAT’S NEXT ON THE RADAR?
I think the biggest impact we can make is to reach more sunglass users. I still feel that over 99% of people don’t realise there’s a high quality, easy and cost effective way to repair their sunglasses. Reaching more people is probably the most important thing we can do to help the environment. At present we have 25KW of solar. Last I looked we were producing more energy than we used. However, as we grow I think we will have to continue to add more renewable energy. We are also continually looking at power efficiencies in our manufacturing processes as well as how we can better utilise or even reuse our lens off-cuts. We are also working with Childe, a local sunglass manufacturer of sustainable sunglasses, to gain a better idea of what innovations are taking place in the industry that we may be able to adopt. Lastly, while most of our packaging is recyclable and biodegradable, I think we will be working further with our customers about how they can recycle their old lenses and even sunglasses at the end of their lives.

WHAT PLEDGE ARE YOU TAKING FOR PLASTIC FREE JULY THIS YEAR?
As a company we are totally against single use plastic. We have worked with Kate Nelson, also known as Plastic Free Mermaid, on reducing and even eliminating single use plastic. Kate is one of our ambassadors and we totally agree with her mission. I think one thing we could look at is eliminating the use of some Australia Post’s plastic packaging. While we use very little of it, I do feel we could eliminate the use express post and post parcel satchels and instead print our postage directly on our larger boxes when we custom make lenses. While we do this for 90% of our packages, we should build the technology required for this last 10%. I think that’s a great goal for us to start implementing in Plastic Free July.

Just For You ✨

With every purchase made from our Plastic Free July Collection until the 31st of July 2021 you will receive a $20 Gift Voucher from Sunglasses Fix included with your purchase. 

And, stay tuned to our Instagram  account this week for an incredible giveaway with our zero-waste friends Raie Eyewear and Sunglasses Fix.... it will be something wonderful to get you ready for brighter days ahead!

Denise, please introduce yourself…

Hello! I’m Denise, I’m 28 years old, originally from Melbourne but I’ve been living in the Northern Rivers, Arakwal Country for the past 6 months. I am an integrative health practitioner, Ayurvedic consultant and Yoga teacher. I am a typical Taurus as everything around me needs to be aesthetic and sensual.


What are your most cherished daily rituals?
I like to start my day slowly and internally by journaling, reciting some prayers or mantras and a gentle meditation. The two most important things for me to achieve in a day are nature time and rest; as long as I’ve spent some time by the trees or ocean and taken a few minutes in the day to check in with my nervous system then that is a successful day. All in balance of course, as I need to weave these rituals around working a full-time job.

Tell us about your Ayurvedic approach to women’s wellness…
My work in sharing Ayurveda and Women’s Wellness is to remind people of their own cyclical nature by encouraging them to simplify their life, protect their ‘yin’ or feminine energy, compile a daily practice of unique self-nourishment and regulate the nervous system by honouring the cycles and rhythms of nature.

What is Ojas?
Ojas (OH-jas) is the synonym for immunity in Ayurveda (The ancient Indian medical system) and it is the sweetness we maintain when all of our being is nourished, rested, spacious and drenched in love. A plentiful reserve of Ojas is reflected physically in the lustre and juiciness of the skin, a glowing complexion and brightness of the eyes. A high reserve of Ojas maintains fertility (in body, mind and creativity) and strong immunity. Ojas is most potently found within the hormonal, reproductive and cerebrospinal fluids of our body and is often poetically described as the honey / nectar / invisible essence of the body.

What are some simple acts of self-love that people can adopt to nourish their Ojas?

Eat foods that are fresh & organic where possible; these foods are high in Prana or ‘life force’.

Foods that are (naturally) sweet, heavy, unctuous, cool, and smooth help build Ojas.

Practice forgiveness, patience, love & surrender.

Be mindful of the information you ingest through all of your senses.

Prioritise rest, relaxation & adequate sleep.

Engage in what you are passionate about and what strikes your heart with beauty.

Spend time in nature and do your best to live in alignment with nature's seasons & your circadian rhythm.

Practice Heart Meditation and restorative styles of yoga and movement.

This year I’m manifesting…
A really supportive and nourishing community in the new area I call home, of which I am grateful has already come to fruition - but more of that energy!

Follow Denise on Instagram to keep up to date with her retreat dates @herwildwellness

If you're loving the vibrant jersey, we still have a few soft, stretchy and sustainable pieces left to take you from the mat, to the beach and beyond. Shop NOMADA here. 

And we've got a treat for you! Body Mind Connect  yoga mats are eco-friendly, organic, 100% chemical free, biodegradable, fair trade and sustainable. The mats are made from natural tree rubber that has been reinforced with organic jute. Our dear friends have given us a 10% discount code to share with you, simply use code BODYMIND10 at checkout. Shop them at bodymindconnect

Namaste Lovers xx

Annie, please introduce yourself…

Hola - hello. I am an earth dwelling, nature loving and creatively inclined soul. I was born in the tropical, equatorial lands of Ecuador, South America, and grew up in the beautiful Northern Rivers on Bundjalung country where I currently reside. I speak Spanish and English (mostly “Spanglish”) at home with my family and feel incredibly grateful to have had a colorful upbringing of both Australian and Ecuadorian cultures.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Each day is a little bit different, but I always start my mornings slowly, setting positive intentions and cultivating good energy for the rest of the day. I don’t wake up with an alarm as my black kitty Django is very adept at bringing me back into a waking state. I do my morning rituals which involve feeding Django, cleaning my surroundings, watering my plants, journaling, meditating, conscious breathing and movement practices before enjoying some fruit or something light for breakfast. Lately we’ve been having an abundance of citrus so orange and mandarin juice has been on the menu.

By this time, it’s usually around lunch and, as I mostly work from home, I whip myself up a delicious, wholesome meal and enjoy it out in the sunshine either in my garden or on the deck. I do the bulk of my work - editing, filming and planning classes for my online wellness business, in the afternoons and sometimes evenings when I seem to have the most creative potential. I share a meal with my family for dinner, usually cooked by my ma or me and then settle into some YouTube or SBS on demand for entertainment. Then, usually around 8pm, I turn of all my electronics and enjoy the rest of my evening either reading, journaling, drawing, meditating, doing some gentle stretches and relaxing breathwork, playing with Django or conversing with my family.

What are your most cherished daily rituals?

I absolutely love a good meditation to start and end my day. Whether that be putting on a guided meditation on YouTube or listening to high vibrational music and going into my own zone, I feel meditating is a personal necessity for me to remain balanced and live my life with more presence and clarity. The length of time I meditate usually varies from 30 minutes to 1 hour, but even just 5-10 minutes of breathing in and out for a certain number of counts can be as equally effective to soothe my sometimes overactive mind and anchor me back into the present moment. I usually do these mini meditations before bed as a way to release the happenings of that day and have a clean slate for the new day ahead.

I also love doing breathwork and, depending on how I’m feeling and whether it’s morning or evening, I’ll either do an energizing or relaxing pranayama or a fusion of the two. In the mornings I also love listening to positive affirmations on YouTube to really establish a good mindset for the rest of the day. I have a few guided affirmations on my YouTube channel “SOLCRE8TIONS”, as well as guided meditations and pranayama tutorials if you wish to check it out. And finally, I can’t forget stretching and moving my body. Whether this be in the form of yoga or dancing, stretching and movement just elevates me to a whole other level and helps me feel so grounded and good in my body (you can also check out my channel for some juicy yoga practices as well).


You recently shared a powerful post about cosmetic surgery: can you share more about this experience with us…

I feel like we are always constantly evolving and changing and how we feel during one phase of our life isn’t always a reflection of how we feel and define ourselves now. This is very much the case for me as I look back at this time period, which was saturated by low self-esteem, anxiety and bouts of depression, and I see myself as a completely different person.

At that time, undergoing a breast augmentation was a reflection of my conditioned insecurities. I was always looking to the outside world to validate my sense of self-worth as I didn’t feel confident or simply enough in my own skin. I must admit that this was a tough cycle in my life, but I know that I am not alone in feeling this way as there is so much pressure in this day and age to look and act a certain way in order to be perceived as “feminine” and “attractive”.

I say that external beauty is just the surface and inner beauty is where it’s at. External beauty fades but the inner glow is constant. For me personally, I feel most attracted to people with rich souls and kind and generous hearts, so my advice is to look less and less towards your physical looks and material possessions to define you and more towards the quality of your inner landscape.

What does self-care and self-love mean to you?

For me, self-care and self-love means knowing that I can put my own needs first, not in a selfish or vain context but in a way that means I am able to show up in the world as the best version of me because I am continuously investing time and energy into my physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. In other words, it means filling up my own cup so that I have more to give to others without feeling drained and depleted. It also means that it is okay for me to say no to other people, situations or experiences that do not resonate or align with my highest good as well as always speaking my truth and maintaining healthy boundaries with others.

Loving myself is a knowing and embodiment of the truth that I am absolutely enough with or without the validation of the world around me. Just by existing, just by being, I am enough. I am worthy and deserving of the all the goodness this universe has to offer and I allow myself to receive what is intended for me. It also means understanding that other people’s perceptions of me and my life choices is just a reflection of them and says more about that individual than it does about me, so I try not to take anything someone else says or does with low vibrations to heart.

What unconventional beauty advice would you like to share?

Less is more in my experience. I go by the minimalist approach in that I do not own a great deal of clothing and beauty products but what I do own is greatly cherished and put to good use. Another tip is always wear clothing that you feel super comfortable in as how you are wearing something speaks louder volumes than the articles of clothing itself.

Also, this may be too much information but, for me personally I like a hairless look from the eyebrows down, so laser hair removal has been both a time saver and good investment of money for me. I recommended it to my mama and she absolutely loved her results. Also, if you feel comfortable with menstrual underwear, I would totally recommend this over pads, tampons and even moon cups, which in my experience have been prone to leaking. I’ve just started using period-wear from a brand called ModiBodi and I’m absolutely in love with how comfortable, effective and discrete they are to wear as well as how friendly they are for the environment.

Sustainability is a journey; what are some of the recent steps you’ve taken to be aware of, care for and protect Mother Earth?

I’ve recently started making my own moisturizer and lip balm, with coconut oil, beeswax, olive oil, essential oil and beetroot juice to tint the lip balm. No longer do I need to buy plastic containers of skin lotions as this tincture seems to be the right combination for my skin. I also use this moisturizer as a styling product for my hair when I’m doing braids and twists which is an extra bonus. In addition, I buy most of my clothes from sustainable brands if I can, but I rarely do buy new articles of clothing, apart from intimates and activewear, as I seem to be gifted a lot of secondhand clothing from friends and family which is amazing.

I am not 100% plant-based, as I seem to fluctuate in an out of this way of eating, but personally I never buy and cook animal products as it has never resonated with me. Plant-based has been my preferred way of eating for the past five years now. And, as mentioned previously, I use period underwear from ModiBodi which I HIGHLY recommend. They are super easy to clean as well, you just rinse them under the tap and throw them into the wash and voilà!

Not many people know that I…

Am super goofy and love to crack jokes left, right and center. I think Django hears the majority of my jokes to be honest because I spend the most time with him.

I’m currently obsessed with…

Bed yoga! It is sooo good, especially during this winter season when all you want to do is snuggle up and be comfortable and cozy. Bed yoga has been my go-to movement practice of late and I’m in love.

This year I’m manifesting…

More creative energy to go full steam ahead with my wellness projects. More financial stability from doing what I truly love to be doing. More connections with like-minded, high vibing, beautiful people who inspire, uplift and nurture me. And some good ol’ romance might be nice too.

✨ For high vibrational content, from yoga and pranayama videos to positive affirmations and guided meditations, follow Annie's channel on YouTube @SOLCRE8TIONS 

Love Annie's look 💕 Shop her fave selects from Nomada; as seen from top to bottom:

Phoebe Jersey Dress in Turquoise

Phoebe Shirred Boho Dress in Rustic Honey 

Phoebe Mini Dress in Waterfall 

Phoebe Revive Square Scarf in Waterfall Ditsy

Hideaway Flares in Vintage Blue

Hideaway Overalls in Vintage Blue

Leah, please introduce yourself…
My name is Leah Crake, I’m 23 years old living in Exmouth, Western Australia, working as a Marine Biologist on-board Ningaloo Blue Whale shark charters.



What inspired you to become a Marine Biologist?
I’ve loved the ocean my whole life. Growing up I spent a lot of time in the water diving and surfing. As I got older, I became more curious and passionate to learn more about the ocean and all of the wonderful organisms that live in it, which is what inspired me to become a Marine Biologist.



What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me consists of working on-board Ningaloo Blue Whale shark charters educating people about the environmental significance of this World Heritage site and taking tourists swimming with all the beautiful creatures on the Ningaloo reef such as Humpback whales, Manta rays, turtles, various species of sharks and of course Whale sharks. On my days off I love to surf and explore the Ningaloo reef on my own boat. I have also recently started a casual beach clean-up group in Exmouth called ‘Coral Coast cleanup’.

What are some of the greatest surreal ‘pinch-me’ moments you’ve experienced so far?
Ahh so many! Definitely seeing a Blue whale, Great white sharks, Orcas, a Leopard shark and turtle hatchlings for the first time. Dancing with 8 Manta rays in the water is up there. But the most unreal encounter I’ve had is playing seaweed fetch with a wild and untrained Bottlenose Dolphin... it’s crazy how intelligent they are!


What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from spending so much time beneath the surface of our oceans?
To be humble and harmonious... even the smallest creatures have a purpose for the bigger picture.


The ocean is your life and livelihood: with everything you’ve seen, experienced and learned what facts and environmental issues still shock you?
At least 8 million tons of plastic is dumped in our ocean every year! And 90% of large ocean hunters/ apex predators have disappeared... with that everything under them in the food chain is declining and changing rapidly.

What is the connection between plastic pollution, our oceans and the climate crisis?
Most plastics are made from materials derived from fossil fuels. Incineration of plastics in developing countries pumps hundreds of million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, resulting in warming temperatures... when temperatures rise this puts our ocean under stress.

Warmer temperatures contribute to ocean acidification, causes coral bleaching that disrupts delicate ecosystems, and effects other marine organisms such as sea turtles, which has resulted in more females hatching than males causing a crisis in sea turtle sex ratios.

The ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink for greenhouse gases, however plastics directly smother it. Whilst taking one hundred years to break down, plastic releases greenhouse gases from the heat of the sun and creates a disastrous feedback loop. Our oceans absorb carbon dioxide, rapidly causing them to become more acidic threatening the habitat of every species in our ocean, including coral and plankton that form the base of the food chain. Oceans play a vital role in keeping the earth’s carbon cycle in balance: plastics are putting all of this at risk.


Which documentaries should people watch to learn more about this?
David Attenborough: ‘A life on our planet’ and ‘Drowning in plastic’.


How can people get involved to help save, protect and restore our oceans?
Reduce your use of plastic and get into better habits with reusables, attend local clean ups, educate yourself, take on a more plant-based diet and donate to charities.


This year I’m manifesting…
To travel over East for summer.

For your daily dose of ocean therapy follow Leah on Instagram @leahcrake

To support Sea Shepherd and their on-going campaigns to defend, conserve and protect our oceans, and make a frequent call to action to act now and #SaveOurOcean shop the globetrottersiraconlineusa X Sea Shepherd 'Protect The Locals' Charity Tee here 🌏🐳

Our precious oceans are in crisis. It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic enters our oceans annually. Plastic is durable and indestructible, taking hundreds of years to break down. Plastic in our oceans break down into micro plastics that enter the food chain, threatening both marine biodiversity and human health. All too frequently are we witnessing sea birds, turtles, whales and other marine life suffering and dying due to plastic ingestion. And not only this, plastics leach chemicals disrupting delicate ocean ecosystems, giving rise to ocean acidification that's a contributing factor to climate change. 

Plastic pollution is woven into fast fashion culture. It's estimated that 63% of materials used for clothing are virgin plastic that when washed leech microfibers into our waterways, destined to become microplastics in our oceans. As a sustainable fashion brand this statistic breaks our hearts. We choose to work with sustainable fibres from trees or plants, or to close the loop we use recycled fibres that turn plastic pollution into fabric that we use for our intimates and swim. But even recycled synthetics shed fibres when washed, which is why sell Guppybags that catch microfibres to prevent them from entering our waterways and oceans. 

At globetrottersiraconlineusa we want to create a new balance for our industry rooted in true understanding of the ocean, our planet and how we as people relate to it. To celebrate World Oceans Day we have chosen to support Sea Shepherd  and their ongoing campaigns to defend, conserve and protect our oceans.

We see an affinity between our industry and Sea Shepherd's Marine Debris Campaign. The Marine Debris Campaign is driving change through awareness and community engagement. Defending Australian waterways and coastlines. The nationwide campaign began in 2016. Passionate volunteers have removed over 3 million pieces of waste destined for the ocean. This waste has been painstakingly categorised and documented by citizen scientists. This data is used to identify the source allowing Sea Shepherd to work with local councils, businesses and other stakeholders to find solutions to prevent plastic pollution. Sea shepherd hold monthly community clean up events, empowering communities to take direct action and turn the tide on ocean waste.

Below we introduce you to Marina Hansen, National Marine Debris Campaigner for Sea Shepherd Australia. So join us in going a little deeper into the amazing work that's going on to tackle marine debris...

What does a day in the life of a Marine Debris Campaigner look like?

Every day working at Sea Shepherd presents something new – whether that is being out cleaning beaches, writing government submissions advocating for action to address plastic pollution, hosting a school beach clean-up or talk, writing communications on the plastic crisis to our followers, or supporting one of our amazing volunteer Coordinators who host community clean-ups in their area each month.

Tell us about your journey in becoming a Marine Conservationist and working with Sea Shepherd on this campaign.

I started out as a volunteer with Sea Shepherd in 2007 with the Perth Chapter. I absolutely love whales and at the time whaling was happening in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and I thought to myself I’m going to go and volunteer for Sea Shepherd as they were the only organisation taking direct action in Antarctica to protect the whales.

Fast forward to 2015, fellow Perth volunteers Liza Dicks (who is our Remote Campaign Coordinator, globetrottersiraconlineusa Campaign Leader and Cocos Campaign Leader) and her daughter Georgie (veteran Sea Shepherd crew member) and I decided to host a beach clean-up each month for other Sea Shepherd volunteers. It was really only meant to be a new year’s type resolution to do something to help our local environment. After a few months our presence on the beach was attracting lots of interest from the public asking to join in and so mid-year we hosted our first community clean-up.

In February 2016, the Sea Shepherd Australia’s national Marine Debris Campaign was launched – we now have 19 volunteer marine debris teams around Australia and we have also conducted clean-ups in remote areas like in NorthEast globetrottersiraconlineusa Land with the Dhimurru Rangers, at the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo, Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), off Brisbane and the Cocos Keeling Islands. The remote clean-ups show hidden places that are impacted by ocean plastics washing ashore.

Sea Shepherd’s Marine Debris Campaign is very grassroots and shows how individual actions can make a big difference.

What is the driving force that inspires your dedication to defend the oceans?

As a young child I remember the pure enjoyment of being at the beach with my family and how amazed I was at seeing whales and dolphins and all the little fish, rays, crabs and sea stars – I want my children and future generations to experience that same joy and to have clean, healthy oceans brimming with marine life.

We can’t stand still and do nothing, that’s not an option. The oceans are the lungs of the planet and are key to our survival so we must all be motivated to protect the planet.

What impact does marine debris and specifically plastic waste have on marine life and ocean ecosystems?

I can’t sugar coat this - the ecological consequences of marine plastic pollution are heartbreaking.

Plastic pollution is devastating coral reefs and coastlines globally, it affects the air we breathe and the water we drink. plastic on beaches is even increasing temperatures and there is no doubt plastic pollution it is killing marine life – we’ve sadly seen that first-hand.

Plastic pollution is a threat to all marine life including seabirds, sea turtles, whales, dolphins and seals (the list goes on), causing injury or death through entanglement, drowning or starvation following ingestion.

Life began in the ocean and our future depends on the ocean. It is in all our interests to protect it from increasing threats such as plastic pollution.

What does the future of the oceans look like if there isn't a change in behaviour and reduction in ocean waste?

There are some frightening projections out there such as “By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish (by weight)”.

There is a growing body of evidence from researchers studying marine plastic pollution that says our coastlines, the ocean, marine life and even human are being impacted at an alarming rate.

Along with this research, escalating rates of plastic production and the pollution we see on the beaches, acting with urgency to address the plastic crisis in our ocean is critically important.

Can you share some examples of how the marine debris data sheet has been directly applied to industry and councils to reduce ocean waste?

At all our clean-ups we don’t just collect the trash we sort and count it as well – people can see the scale of the problem when it is laid out in front of them. It’s not unusual to record 7,000 items at a single clean-up and at one of our clean-ups at Cottesloe Beach in Perth we sorted and counted just over 26,000 items – which was really shocking.

We’ve used this evidence with councils to address problematic items – from beachside cafes using polystyrene (clamshell) food packaging, to the plastic barriers used to protect plants during coastal dune rehabilitation. As such we’ve seen environmentally friendly alternatives adopted and councils introducing single-use plastic policies, which is a great outcome for the ocean and marine wildlife.

What government legislation and policy can be implemented to ensure industry best practice to help prevent marine debris? What do you think the solution is?

Using our data as evidence Sea Shepherd has advocated hard for mandatory product stewardship with a range of stakeholders to show that Australia’s beaches are being impacted by plastic pollution and we need urgent and consistent legislation. A range of policy actions are slowly being introduced including some States bringing in legislation to address single-use plastics, but there is still so much more that needs to be done. NSW hasn’t even banned single-use plastic bags!

With marine plastic pollution being a global issue, it’s not just domestically where we need the Australian Government to take action. Intergovernmental policy action and agreement is required with urgency to tackle the massive challenges that lie ahead for our environment and our health if we don’t come together.

The narrative that has been drilled into us for decades is that waste and pollution is a consumer driven problem. Sure, we all have a part to play but we really need to stop the plastic at the source. A report in May revealed that just 20 companies produce more than half of the world’s single-use plastic waste – if we could stop plastic at the source and design out pollution this would have a monumental impact.

How can our customers get involved in beach cleans and citizen science to help reduce and document marine debris?

There are many ways you can be part of the movement to protect our oceans. From attending one of our monthly community beach clean-ups, to reducing your plastic footprint by investing in reusables such as stainless steel water bottles, KeepCups, saying no to straws, buying clothing made from sustainable fabrics, remembering to take your shopping bags or being a local eco hero by using your voice to be part of the solution – every action makes a difference.

If you can’t make it to a Sea Shepherd clean-up you can do your own mini beach or street clean-up (just remember to wear gloves and enclosed footwear!) and upload what you find to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database which is a national marine pollution database accessible via an App.

With 80% of pollution originating from land-based sources, it makes local clean-ups, which remove trash before it enters the environment, vitally important for life in our ocean.

“Unless we stop the degradation of our oceans, marine ecological systems will begin collapsing and when enough of them fail, the oceans will die. And if the oceans die, then civilization collapses and we all die.” – Paul Watson founder of Sea Shepherd

If you want to know more, watch the Sea Shepherd films on our blog here. 

And if you're feeling inspired to take the next step on your zero-waste journey, get ready for Plastic Free July as we've got something exciting coming for you!

*Thanks to Jake Parker for the Sea Shepherd photos. 

Pacha, please introduce yourself…

Hi! My name is Pacha and I'm a 20-year-old pro surfer and earth lover currently traveling carbon neutral around Australia in a Troopy with my partner Nash and pup Taka.

I was born in the cloud forest of Ecuador and grew up surrounded by nature, campaigning with my environmental activist parents all over the world. Once we settled down in Australia when I was 5, we pretty much lived at the beach, but it wasn’t until I was 10 when my brother and I discovered surfing.

We spent a lot of our time in both wild secluded beach breaks and crowded points, training hard for contests. I competed full time for 3 years on the World Qualifying Series- juggling events, traveling, shooting, and doing my best for the planet. During Covid I had the opportunity to reflect on those years and take a look at what made me truly happy… It was surfing for joy and connection and advocating as much as I could for the planet. So here I am following my heart and doing what I believe in.

Tell us, what a typical day currently looks like for you?

On the road, Nash and I will wake up and jump out of the Troopy pretty much right on the beach and head out for some waves. It’s also very important to research and learn about the Aboriginal land and tribe we are staying on so either before we sleep or before we paddle out, we ask permission and pay our respects.

If the surf isn’t good, we go for a run along the beach or check out hikes in the local area. We are pretty dependable on the weather so if it's sunny we will find new adventures all day! We try to be as self-sufficient as we can, catching our own food and running on solar power means we can go off-grid for weeks at a time, living with our little family in the home on wheels... It’s one of the things I'm most grateful for.

Not many people know that I…

Love to sing and play the ukulele! I travelled with a Uke all around the world and would sing, behind closed doors. I'm slowly gaining confidence but it’s something I love to do.


Living off the grid has taught me…

Living off grid has given me a sense of empowerment and taught me from a young age that everything you need is already with you, comfort is relative. Nowadays it makes me feel connected and involved with every step of life, being responsible for everything you consume and also waste… I've always been inspired by Indigenous communities and their connection with the land, learning these ways of living to tread lightly on the planet.

Do you have a memory, or specific moment that was the catalyst for wanting to dedicate your life to environmental activism?

Both my parents are environmental activists so I was brought up with this thinking, I was even named after the Quechua goddess, Pachamama, translating into Mother Earth, so it has always been a big part of me but I don't think I really understood my responsibility and my own relationship with the earth and activism until I saw how surfing connected people from every background to advocate for a cause, especially if it impacted their local beaches. I’m inspired by so many and just want to bring hope and motivation as it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with our current trajectory.

Recently Nash and I got to be a part of a campaign to protect old growth forests in Lutruwita/Tasmania from logging and mining threats by running a half marathon through the heart of the Takayna/Tarkine forest, organised by The Bob Brown Foundation. We hadn’t run that far before but were encouraged to join the Surfers For Climate crew, an organisation committed to uniting surfers to stand up for environmental threats… Reaffirming that it just made sense to protect places that you love, that’s including forests- not just oceans!


How has the environmental philosophy of deep ecology shaped your thoughts, behaviours and actions?

Inspired by generations of first nation peoples, the understanding that everything is sacred and connected, that our earth is a mother providing and we must take care of her. I think it created a stronger, more beautiful relationship with the planet and motivated me to do as much as I can. It also gave me a sense of belonging, no matter if I was riding a wave or walking through a forest… This is our ancient home filled with sacred knowledge.

Laura Enever gave you your first surfboard when you were busking, how did this moment change your life? And is this why you continue to pay the kindness forwards by supporting other young female surfers?

To be introduced to the surfing world with her pure generosity is still something I can't quite believe. She continues to support me and be an inspiration to so many… I’ll always be grateful. I always think back to that moment and try my best to do this wherever I go, whether it’s donating preloved boards to Boardrider’s clubs or to girls just beginning to surf, it’s all about finding that love in the ocean and I know how special it is because that's how it began for me.


What are some of the most valuable lessons that surfing taught you?

Surfing and the ocean has given me everything and more… Surrounded by the beautifully powerful and unpredictable, this is where you can feel out who you are. I’ve learnt how to be strong and vulnerable, washing away fears and ego to be open to the greatest gifts from the sea. Surfing has really solidified this love for nature and allowed me to find like-minded people. Surfing is so much more than a sport… It’s pure magic.

The five songs everyone should listen to right now for good vibes are…

Being on the road means you need a good playlist and although Nash and I are on the constant look out for more pre surf psych ups, here is our favourites;

4real by Steve Lacy
Yègelleé Tezeta by Mulatu Astatke
Be Thankful For What You Got by Love
Cumulous Potion (For the Clouds to Sing) by Salami Rose Joe Louis
Disco by Surf Curse

This year I’m manifesting…

For growth, learnings and connections within lands, waters, communities and ourselves. I hope to help meaningful, positive initiatives for the planet and people.

I wish for a shift of thinking of the global top 1% leaders and corporations to take action on climate change… But we have to do more than wish! We can be that change by doing what we can.

Lot’s of love and thank you so much for everything!
Pacha



Follow Pacha's journey...

Instagram @pachalight

You Tube Pacha Light

Pacha styled her favourite pieces from our Nomada Collection.  

Freya, please introduce yourself…

I’m a dancer, artist, yoga teacher and self love advocate from WA, currently living on Bundjalung country!

What does a typical day look like for you?
My days are all totally different. Most of the time, they are filled with morning walks, some stretching or dance then I move into whatever activities I’ve got on for the day. Weekdays, I work from home and I try to throw a bit of nature time in there when I get the chance. I’ll do emails, course maintenance, meetings, podcasts, interviews, create videos, edit footage, go on shoots, paint and more! In the evenings I love to spend time with friends watching the sunset, making dinners or dancing on the beach if I didn’t get my daily boog in already!

What is your defining passion in life?
Joy! Facilitating, bringing and embodying more joy. Bringing joy to others. This can look like empowerment, self love and having fun!

As an artist where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration through everything! My primary inspiration has always been the interconnectedness between women and nature. I love it. Most of my paintings feature women or female forms in nature. Ladies with owls on their shoulders, ladies with flowers growing out of them or vines in their spines. I think intrinsically we are all linked to nature so I definitely find my greatest inspiration from the connection I feel and receive from the earth.

Tell us about the journey that led you to creating The Love Club…
Wow! The journey started with my own journey of self love, which is a long story lol. When I was in my teenage years I struggled with deep self worth issues due to childhood sexual trauma, it was a huge journey for me to go on finding not only empowerment in my body but feeling like I am worthy of existing. The Love Club was seeded during a meditation I did about finding your purpose. The meditation asked us to feel into what our younger selves needed the most. The answer came through so clearly to me that I started crying tears of pure joy. At that moment I felt so connected to little freya and really wanted to figure out a way to bring all of my self love tools that I’ve picked up along the way into a place where others can access them and grow. 9 months later, The Love Club was born!

How has social media influenced your journey of becoming more vulnerable?
I Loooooove this question! I started social media back when I was not secure about myself. Honestly, I used it as a platform for validation. I was often seeking approval and likes. Overtime, I realised the version of myself I was putting out never truly felt 100% authentic. I never felt seen. I realised that I wanted to use the platform to be true to my heart. I didn’t have much of that in my life growing up so in a way social media became my outlet where I felt safe to fully express myself. I wrote long captions straight from the heart and shared the things that were true for me. Over time this evolved into a consistent way of sharing. I now use my platforms as a way to share about my experience being a “human” ie- going through mental health struggles, sharing my body in all its forms, my moments of joy, sorrow, growth and pain. I think social media has been huge in facilitating my journey to vulnerability and I think it all started when I shared on Youtube about my assault and struggles with self worth.

What is the most beautiful part of the online community you’ve created?
So much! I think the most beautiful part is the safety I have both facilitated and that everyone has brought to the platform. I am so lucky to have such kind and vulnerable people within my online community.

Everytime there is someone who feels down in the comments, I always see others building them up. There have also been occasions where I’ve been crying in public and people that follow me have come and helped me out, which is so amazing to have.

I think the pure kindness of everyone on there has been my favourite thing to witness. I think I’ve been very lucky to have a very special and almost secret container in which only like minded people are a part of, I feel it’s very rare on social media nowadays. Sometimes it feels like there’s an imaginary security guard keeping trolls or creepy people off my platform and letting in lots of fairies, haha!

Who are the muses in your life?
My friends endlessly inspire me. I’m surrounded by amazing strong women who all run their businesses, mother or live a life that is truly authentic to them. My mum is also a huge inspiration for me, she’s just started a non for profit for athletes over 50 and shows me that you can be a boss at any stage of life.

What are your most cherished daily rituals?
My morning walks are my favourite. I do a meditative walk where I ground down and connect with nature. I love hearing the sounds of insects and the breeze and trees. I feel so much more myself and calmer after it.

To me, caring for Mother Earth means…
Everything! It means caring by not only being a conscious consumer, but also being integral and caring for yourself and others. I think we are all linked to nature, so to me it makes sense that when we care for our authentic selves, a deep love and care for the earth follows suit. It also means connecting with earth and being with the land as much as possible and honouring all those who came before you.

For your daily dose of inspiration follow Freya on Instagram @freyahaley

Find out more about The Love Club here. 

Freya styles the following globetrottersiraconlineusa treasures, as seen from top to bottom:

Audrey Midi Dress in Cinnamon

Amberley Blouse in Emerald

Hideaway Cropped Jeans in Vintage Blue

globetrottersiraconlineusa X Rainforest Rescue It In Our Hands Charity Tee

Amberley Midi Skirt in Emerald

Lucia Blouse in Desert Rose

Faith Crop in Rust

Faith Hi Waist Knickers in Rust 

Delilah Cardigan in Almond