globetrottersiraconlineusa Clothing - Blog

Mother, Healer, Pioneer of Green Chemistry Meet Theme Rains & Synthesis Organics

2022-04-27T12:46:27+10:00

Upon meeting Theme, we were immediately entranced by her nurturing, calm and creative energy. As she told us her story and journey of creating Synthesis Organics we immediately resonated with her values.

To celebrate mothers around the world and our collective Mother, we are launching two Mothers Day bundles in partnership with Synthesis Organics featuring their favourite ritual for mums.

The three products we are launching for Mothers Day with Synthesis Organics includes:

RENEW ENZYME CLEANSER

PAPAYA ENZYMES gently dissolve dead skin cells, reduce pore size and congestion; FINGER LIME CAVIAR with natural AHAs brightens, evens and smoothes; natural BHA SALICYLIC ACID from WINTERGREEN gently exfoliates and reduces excess sebum; LICORICE and ALOE VERA soothe; SPIRULINA delivers beneficial phytonutrients while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, acne and blemishes. Breathe in the bioenergetic aromas of LIME to refresh; LEMON MYRTLE to enliven; CLARY SAGE for insight; EGYPTIAN GERANIUM and native FRAGONIA to restore harmony and balance.

SPECTRUM FACE MIST

This full spectrum face mist tones and naturally protects your skin from daily stress, urban pollution, blue light from computer, TV and phone screens, and energetic toxicity. Infused with the revitalising power and aroma of millions of rose petals and a bounty of bioactives to impart a dewy, instant freshness to your skin while uplifting your mood and overall wellbeing.

REPLENISH ELIXIR

OCEAN WINGED KELP provides the perfect omega ratio to renew elastin and collagen; OLIVE SQUALENE hydrates, softens and protects; Vitamins A, C, E from CARROT OIL offer radiance; while rejuvenating FRANKINCENSE soothes and minimises the signs of wrinkles and scars for a retinol-like effect without the side effects. Breathe in the bioenergetic aromas of native FRAGONIA to restore harmony; AUSTRALIAN SANDALWOOD to nourish, strengthen and enrich, ROSE OTTO and JASMINE flowers for beauty from the heart.

All of these products are formulated with Australian Certified Organic and scientifically proven bioactives and packaged in post-consumer recycled bottles with sugar cane labels.

Mothers Day Bundle $169 ($202 in value)

Synthesis Organics Spectrum Mist - $59 value
Synthesis Organics Renew Enzyme Cleanser - $68 value
Fleetwood Eye Mask - $39 value
globetrottersiraconlineusa Seeds - $12 value
Mini Honey Beauty Bag - $24 value

Luxe Mothers Day Bundle $269 ($306 in value)

Synthesis Organics Spectrum Mist - $59 value
Synthesis Organics Renew Enzyme Cleanser - $68 value
Synthesis Organics Replenish Elixir Syrum - $99 value
Fleetwood Eye Mask - $39 value
globetrottersiraconlineusa Seeds - $12 value
Large Honey Beauty Bag - $29 value

Now to the exciting part – We are so excited to introduce you to Theme and her brand, Synthesis Organics.

Theme, please introduce yourself…

Often I am referred to as an energetic healer, green chemist, aromatherapist, counsellor and beauty expert. Above all, I am Theme Rains; Lover, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Mystic… I am you and you are me.

Can you share the journey from leaving your chosen career path as a human rights lawyer to creating Synthesis.

Growing up in apartheid South Africa, and partly raised by a traditional medicine woman there, instilled in me a deep need to respond to the injustices and imbalances in the world around me. For a time I believed that this could be done through human rights law, but a mystical experience just before I completed my degree radically shifted my consciousness, and my life’s calling. In following my heart into the Healing Arts I learnt that ‘to heal a world in crisis, we must start with ourselves’.

I realised that the felt sense of disconnect I had experienced myself, was the source of so muc of the mental, emotional and physical stress suffered in the world at large. From a space of disconnect, decisions are made, from the seemingly mundane to the highest levels, that simply cause more suffering.

By reconnecting with the Light of Nature, and our true essence, our heart (intuition), our head (intellect) and instinct (gut) also align and we experience a felt sense of unity, flow and wellbeing. From this space, decisions are made, and lived, that benefit the Whole, which we often forget is totally interconnected and interdependent.

Thus began my life’s journey into the Healing Arts, learning through transmission from Masters, including a 14 year apprenticeship with an Alchemist, as well as at traditional schools and colleges, and Mother Earth herself.

Synthesis emerged out of this life’s journey as a vehicle to share many of these healing and regenerative influences, in the form of enlightened self care.

What does beauty mean to you?

To me, Beauty is the expression of Love in this world… and everything flourishes in the presence of Love.

Many of us have seen and experienced the visible radiance and beauty of someone who is full of the energy of love and life, and how this uplifts everyone around them. This visible connection with the life source, arising out of an awareness that everything is only energy or light, has been understood since ancient times as the secret to health, wellbeing and happiness. We call this Radiant Conscious Beauty. This radiance comes from the heart; from being connected with our true essence which is Love (some call this ~ being in their natural flow), as well as caring for the physical health of our skin and body with the purest nutrient-rich organic ingredients. All of our products and treatments are based on this unifying heart intelligence.

Traditionally beauty standards teach women that our value is situated in socially constructed notions of beauty: how does your work liberate women?

By celebrating the uniqueness of everyone’s expression of Radiant Conscious Beauty, we hope to blow apart the socially constructed notions of beauty. I love to use the metaphor of the demonstration of Dr Emotos’ water crystals to remind women (and men) about this. He photographed frozen water that had been exposed to various influences and captured the water’s response through the expression of these unique water crystals. He showed that negative influences such as pollution, hurtful words (or intentions), jarring music, caused the water crystals to look unbalanced, cloudy and universally unattractive. However when the same water was exposed to positive influences (affirming words, meditation, prayer, harmonious music, etc) the water crystals formed exquisite shapes - they were all beautiful, and every single crystal is unique! No two are the same, yet the beauty of each is universally undeniable. Each of us, made up predominantly of water, are like those water crystals… when filled up with positive influences, our body and being can shine with our true and unique beauty. And this beauty transforms the world around us in a positive way, as opposed to conforming, and often shutting down our light to fit in, and then the world misses out on the unique gift of radiance that only you can bring.

What we do at Synthesis is to be one of those positive influences, to offer products that work at the physical and energetic level to support overall balance and harmony and the optimum conditions for each one’s unique beauty to shine.

How do you find and connect to solutions in nature?

Firstly by believing that the solutions are already held within Nature; the plant and mineral kingdoms for ingredients, and our true nature for inspiration. By connecting with my heart first, my intellect and instinct align with my intuition, and from that felt sense of unity, I feel a deeper connection with the plants and minerals, and am led to the answers for whatever it is I am contemplating, sometimes in very mysterious ways, and sometimes by following direct scientific knowledge, and aligning that to the heart.

Does spirituality define your identity?

Spirituality is actually about dissolving identity for me, and it has completely transformed my life. When I was 21 I adopted a spiritual name that was gifted to me, changed it on my passport and have been known by it ever since. I left the promising legal career, my home and all that I knew and was defined by to throw myself out of my comfort zone and into my heart… Following my heart has bought me love, deep peace and joy, as well as many challenges which I understand as Grace, helping me to work through whatever obstacles within and without to the realisation of true unity.

Tell us about your role as Australian Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebrated at the United Nations and worldwide each year.

I serve as Chairperson for the Oceania board after being Australian Ambassador for Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO) for the last 3 years. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is celebrated at the United Nations and Worldwide on November 19th, but our work is all year around, raising awareness for the empowerment and support of women entrepreneurs throughout the world. When we work together and women are elevated financially, communities, states, and countries prosper, building a global blueprint to alleviate and eradicate poverty. This can take the form of direct impact such as sponsoring refugees through school, scholarships for disadvantaged women, as well as uplifting connections for entrepreneurs at all levels. My special focus is sustainable entrepreneurship.

How do you maintain inner equilibrium?

For me, union with spirit via the breath is the way I maintain my inner equilibrium. This is enhanced and deepened with aromatherapy, movement (dancing, yoga, walking…), immersion in Nature, loving connections and my Synthesis enlightened self care rituals. Remembering what is truly important, not sweating the small stuff, and a gratitude practice all support enormously as well.

The best advice I have ever received is…

“There will never be an expedient plan of individuals or governments that will ever replace our responsibility to love under all conditions’

What does a healthy future look like to you?

The future I envision is a world where we are all living in harmony with ourselves, with Nature, and with each other, as a conscious interconnected unity… a Synthesis. I believe what we create from that unity will be in the form of a healthy world for all and all things will then come into a perfect alignment; from an unpolluted environment; enough clean water for everyone - not only for drinking but also for bathing; an abundance of organic and wild crafted food and herbal medicines available to nourish all; conscious, sustainable dwellings and transport; peace, respect and harmony throughout the human race.

Meet The Makers: William Our Wovens Maker

2022-04-22T14:38:48+10:00

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.

Meet Jules - Our Haven Print Designer

2022-02-01T13:19:41+11:00

We’re excited to be back launching our second Made in Australia collection, Haven. As part of our commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion, it’s paramount that we hold dear those relationships built with like-minded people. So, when we thought about which beautiful creative we wanted to work with on our new Made in Australia print Wander, we knew exactly who this was… Jules Gonski.

Jules was the talented print designer behind our first Made in Australia collection, Beneath Our Sun, that launched in March 2021. As part of our Meet The Makers series we catch up with Jules below about what’s happened over the past 12 months since we last chatted on the journal…

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.

Meet The Team: Hélène König - Our Designer

2022-01-24T12:24:37+11:00

Jaz is the Artist behind our ‘Here Comes The Sun’ Tee.

2021-09-27T14:15:08+10:00

Meet the artist behind our best-selling Here Comes The Sun Tee , Jaz of @harleyandj

Jaz worked with us on our Mother Earth Tee; you can read our first ever interview with her here. Since then Jaz has had a beautiful baby girl and continues to balance her career as an artist and illustrator.

Below we chat about new beginnings, inspirations and motherhood...

Congratulations on creating your new little love Bonnie Blossom: how has this new chapter in life been for you?

Thank you so much , my journey to motherhood has been intense and beautiful. It’s so true what they say nothing can really prepare you for it all but in the same breath it feels so normal and I often wonder how I lived my life before without her in it. I’m so grateful to be on this journey and thank my lucky stars every day for having Bloss in my life.

Tell us about the story behind the illustration for our tee, and where the inspiration comes from for each design element.

I can’t help think of the Beatles song and how it symbolises a new day even after a cold long winter, the sun always follows the darkness. It feels hopeful to me for new beginnings.

Here Comes The Sun – what does this symbolise for you?

To me it symbolizes new growth and new beginnings.

How do illustrations contribute to storytelling?

Humans are very visual beings, we thrive off art, we have done since the very beginning of our existence . It’s so natural for us to imagine a story in our heads but I love that art can be a way of people bringing that part of their imagination into a physical form to share with others.

Have your ideas, inspiration and emotions expressed in your art evolved with motherhood?

If I'm completely honest it’s been a slow journey back to my artistic self, for the moment Bloss is my focus and art comes second. I know with time I will come back to my art completely but for now I am enjoying the shift of focus in my life. I know my artistic self will be there for me when I am ready.

What’s your formula for perfecting the art of fun?

At the moment for me it is all about being in the present moment. If motherhood has taught me anything it is that time is so fleeting and to try and embrace that moment as much as possible.

What are you most looking forward to?

After the last year or so we have had with the pandemic Im looking forward to seeing more family and friends. Its been a dark and hard time for so many and I finally feel the sun is rising again for all of us as our lives hopefully go back to what they were before.

Shop our best-selling Here Comes The Sun Tee online here.

Bonnie Blossom wears the Dylan Baby Dress - available from 28th September.

And for your daily dose of creative inspiration follow Jaz on on Instagram @harleyandj

Meet Lana - Revive Wall Hanging Artist

2021-07-27T10:50:58+10:00

To honour Fashion Revolution Week 2021 we asked Lana, our globetrottersiraconlineusa boutique and customer care honey, and insanely talented artist, to create an art installation for us. We had a loose creative idea to develop an artwork from our globetrottersiraconlineusa fabric off-cuts and revive them into something that visually communicates the concept of circularity.

Our vision at globetrottersiraconlineusa, is a circular future in which the concept of waste doesn’t exist. As a fashion brand we still have a long way to go, but from the beginning we are thinking about the end life of a product and ensure that any left-over fabric is turned into something useful, becoming part of our zero-waste collection Revive.

Lana sketched and painted a concept that explored the need to love and protect our environment, expressing the essence of circular economy by creating a structure using sustainable fabric off-cuts so that materials remain indefinitely in use.

Below we talk to Lana about her journey as an artist, connection to nature and how personal challenges have been an unexpected opportunity to explore a new creative direction…

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

Meet Rhi - Protect The Locals Tee Artist

2021-06-07T09:55:54+10:00

We’re excited to bring you another interview in our meet the makers series.
Let us introduce you to the talented artist behind our globetrottersiraconlineusa X Sea Shepherd ‘Protect The Locals’ Charity Tee, Rhi James.

Not only is Rhi a talented artist and textiles designer, but she’s also our wanderlust muse. Living life in full colour, Rhi draws on her travel experiences to express the natural beauty of our world through different mediums. We wanted an artist who could perfectly capture the vibrant natural wonders of the ocean in our globetrottersiraconlineusa X Sea Shepherd Charity Tee, and so were beyond grateful when Rhi agreed to collaborate with us on this important project.

Below we talk about Rhi’s inspiration, her connection to the ocean, and find out what she’s manifesting in 2021…

Rhi, please introduce yourself…
Hello, I am a UK print designer turned illustrator who now lives in Perth, Australia. I created an illustration business called Hebe Studio last year and spend most of my time working on that. I love the sun, travelling, eating food and cats.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
Bright, happy and a tiny bit quirky.

Where do you look for inspiration?
Travel is my main source of inspiration for sure. I love visiting new places and being completely inspired by my surroundings.

Tell us about the story behind the artwork you created for our ‘Protect The Locals’ charity tee.
It is an artwork designed to remind people to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. I have never felt a closer connection to the ocean as I do now living in Australia. Swimming in the Ningaloo reef and witnessing the incredible sea life there made it hit home so much more how desperately we need to protect it. When I was asked to work on this project I felt it really aligned with my beliefs and it was a cause I wanted to be a part of.

When did your passion for painting and creating begin and how has it evolved?
I have always loved painting, ever since I can remember I've always been obsessed with art and drawing. I majored in Art at school and then because I didn't want to be a Fine Artist I studied Print Design at University. Since graduating I have worked for other brands mainly designing fashion prints. I quit my job to move to Australia when my partner got offered a job here and that is when I decided to move more towards illustration and set up my own business. Painting makes me so happy and I feel very grateful that this is my job.

Who are the creatives that you’re currently admiring?
Ah so many and for different reasons. @haylsa for Australian travel photography and prints @jay.nicole.designs is a very inspiring small business owner selling jewellery and clothing, @hugogrenville @leighellexon, @rosedufton, @alicebrislanddesign, @brieharrison, @anjajane are all amazing artists...to be honest I could go on forever!

What are your most cherished daily rituals?
My most cherished ritual is probably getting outside and either going for a walk or getting on my bike everyday. We live on a nature reserve with amazing walks and cycle paths. I like to make sure I make the most of this otherwise I can end up never leaving the house and getting a bit grumpy haha.

What’s your definition of beauty?
I think beauty is something that evokes a (good) feeling when you look at it. Being in nature for me is the biggest example of this, there's just no better feeling than being surrounded by natural beauty.

I’m currently obsessed with…
My foster cat! He's the best thing ever and keeps me company every day.

This year I’m manifesting…
Lots of big dreams for Hebe Studio.

For your daily dose of creative inspiration follow Rhi on Instagram @rhi.james

The globetrottersiraconlineusa X Sea Shepherd ' Protect The Locals' Charity Tee launches on World Oceans Day 2021, Tuesday 8th June at 10am AEST, with 100% of profits raised donated to Sea Shepherd to defend, conserve and protect our oceans 🌏🐳 To find out more about how your donations are used read the Q&A with Marina Hansen, National Marine Debris Campaigner for Sea Shepherd Australia, or watch the videos here.

Meet Tahnee – It’s In Our Hands Tee Artist

2021-05-03T15:36:44+10:00

We’re excited to bring you another interview in our meet the makers series.

Let us introduce you to the talented artist behind our globetrottersiraconlineusa X Rainforest Rescue ‘It’s In Our Hands’ Charity Tee, Tahnee Kelland.

Tahnee is a painter and muralist from WA. We instantly fell for her timeless, dreamy creations in contemporary tones that channel something otherworldly through contoured lines and fluid movement, expressing a deep connection to the feminine divine. So we were delight when Tahnee said yes to collaborating with this on this charity project.

Below we talk about Tahnee’s inspiration, life as a new mum, and find out what she’s manifesting in 2021…

Tahnee, please introduce yourself…
I’m an artist, a cat loving , curry obsessed (madras only) new mum from WA.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
I’m drawn to the muted colour pallet, the aged imperfect look of dreamy tropical landscape scenes. I like to create a sense of calm in my work offering the viewer a place to escape to.

Where do you look for inspiration?
My own life and experiences usually dictate the work I produce, it’s an ever-evolving process depending on what I’m going through at the time. My last collection of work came about from a real appreciation for I gained for my body during pregnancy. I’m still processing exactly how much it did for me so I’m sure there will be more work on this to come.

Tell us about the story behind the artwork you created for our ‘It’s In Our Hands’ charity tee.
The artworks meaning for the tee has evolved and tweaked slightly from the original piece (the end is just the beginning). ‘ It’s in our hands’ is a reminder to us all not to sit back and wait for a solution to climate change and the environmental challenges we are currently facing. It’s up to all of us to do what we can now before it’s too late.

When did your passion for painting and creating murals begin and how has it evolved?
I’ve been passionate about painting and creating in general since I can remember. It’s a human need to create and for me it’s so important to express myself through creativity regularly. My soul craves it and doesn’t know life without it.

Who are the creatives that you’re currently admiring?
I’m so sleep deprived and out of the loop with the outside world this question leaves my mind completely blank sorry. The only creatives that come to mind are mothers. The ultimate selfless creatives, I’ve never admired them more than now.

What are your most cherished daily rituals?
A coffee in bed!

What’s your definition of beauty?
Compassion, understanding, self-awareness and empathy.

I’m currently obsessed with…
My 2 month old son Remi and watching my husband become the most beautiful father to him.

This year I’m manifesting…
Love

If you love Tahnee's art head on over to her online store and indulge in her prints here.

You can also get your daily dose of inspiration by following Tahnee on Instagram @tahnee_kelland

p.s. We still have a handful of globetrottersiraconlineusa x Rainforest Rescue 'It's In Our Hands' Charity Tees left to shop. For every tee purchased we will be planting two trees in the Daintree through our partnership with Rainforest Rescue. You can find out more about this incredible project on the blog here. Or, if you're ready to get planting 🌳🌳 SHOP YOUR TEE NOW!

Giving Back - Clean Water 4 Artisans Project

2021-04-21T15:53:17+10:00

We are beyond excited to see our block-printed Lucia story return.
Over eighteen months in the making, this limited-edition collection saw us circle back to the Indian state of Rajasthan to continue our beautiful relationship with our skilled makers.

We launched our original collection over a year ago and fell in love with the ancient art of block printing that’s passed down through generations. As we spent more time with our makers learning about their culture and heritage, we also became increasingly aware of the severe water crisis impacting their state.
Water scarcity is the most critical issue facing agriculture in the state of Rajasthan. Not only this, but there are diminishing drinking water sources because the quality of surface and ground water are in a severe state of degradation. Population growth, urbanisation and industrial processes have resulted in a man-made crisis that’s then further exacerbated by climate change.

So, when we discovered that our family of makers were responding to the crisis with a project that will create real, lasting change – we had to get involved!

From the sale of our Lucia collection, we are donating
10% of Profits to the
Clean Water For Artisans Project.

Our makers family in Rajasthan have a strong ethos and vision for human and environmental sustainability. They take an integrated approach to people, planet and design. Fair Trade certified, they offer stability and security in a supportive and respectful environment, and collaborate with artisan textile producers that operate as social enterprises. When you purchase one of our block printed treasures you are investing in the empowerment of communities, and supporting the preservation of heritage crafts and traditions.

Lucia is crafted from organic cotton fibres and then printed by hand with intention, a process that is mindful and slow. To find out more about Lucia’s beautiful story from concept to creation you can read more HERE.

Rajasthan is a desert state where water is precious and scarce. As block printing requires a lot of water to rinse the dyes, our makers have designed and implemented an innovative water filtration and rainwater catchment system.
The ETP (effluent treatment plant) removes dye residue, so that our makers can recycle the wash water and reuse it for fabric washing; a circular system that minimises waste. Combined with the rain water catchment system, our makes are on track to reduce their water consumption by 80%.

For those of you who like to geek out on the details, this is how ETP system works:

> A filter removes loose fibres and threads from the wash water.

> The PH of the water is then equalised by using sodium bicarbonate, which has a minimal environmental impact, and is an affordable option, also being a readily available alkalinizing agent.

> Next a cool chemistry process called flocculation is used to draw dyestuff out of the water. A naturally occurring alum compound called fitkari is used. This binds dyestuff molecules together making them heavy. These bonded molecules sink to the bottom of the water tank, making them easy to filter out of the water.

> Now that the water is almost clean, it’s filtered for one last time through a gravel, sand, charcoal filter.

Our donation will go towards the expansion of the existing system; larger filtration and rainwater catchment tanks, an improved pump and biological filtration that will help to oxygenate the water naturally. This will improve efficiency and improve the health of people and planet. The vision is to eventually implement home size filtration systems for artisans in the wider community and provide the necessary education to ensure these beneficial systems can be maintained.

With rainfall 9% below normal, Rajasthan faces an acute drinking water crisis. Jaipurs Bisalpur dam catchment has little water reserves left. The government has resorted to tube well digging, which depletes ground water. With more than 80% of the state overexploited this is not a sustainable solution.

Reduced rainfall is a telling sign of climate change and when coupled with population growth we see the exacerbated effects of water scarcity devastate already vulnerable communities. Without accessible clean water families become trapped in a cycle of poverty. Children are less likely to attend school and get an education as they have to support their families just to survive.
Water is not only essential for hygiene, sanitation and human health, it also sustains agriculture and food security. Water is essential for economic development and progress.

Jaipur is densely populated with a thriving textile industry. If the water used in the block printing process is not treated, dye residues contaminate water ways impacting not only natural ecosystems, but agriculture and food production too.
This is why we made the critical decision to support the Clean water 4 Artisans project.

10% of profits from the sale of Lucia is donated to Clean Water 4 Artisans.
By purchasing these treasures, you are not only investing in a beautiful item of clothing, but also, in the future of people & planet.

SHOP LUCIA HERE

Meet The Makers - Beneath Our Sun

2021-03-02T10:21:33+11:00

Watch the story and join us behind the scenes in the making of our first-ever Australian-made collection, Beneath Our Sun.

Sustainability is in our brand DNA. Every decision we make from design through to delivery is based on deep connections with community and Mother Earth. Our sustainability journey is forever evolving, and change happens when we focus on where we want to reach. To minimise our carbon footprint, build resilience into our supply chain and support our local economy we’d been dreaming of manufacturing in Australia for quite some time.

Beneath Our Sun is a beautiful curation of ethically and locally made timeless treasures. This limited-edition, capsule collection was designed at our Byron Bay HQ. Honouring the beauty of Australia, the print was inspired by the tones and flora of our own backyard, hand-sketched and painted with watercolours in Sydney. We’ve been searching for a local manufacturer to make our sustainable garments for over a year and are delighted to have had the opportunity to partner with Lux Design Group in South Yarra, VIC to bring this incredible collection to life.

Meet the makers and team behind Beneath Our Sun, and learn about the successes and challenges of manufacturing here in Australia.

This is our first ever Australian made collection – and we’re so excited to bring it to you!

Featuring...
Muse: @yasminhoneychurch
Muse: @estellaroseblair
Film: @luketysoe
Photographer: @tessleopold_
Hair & Makeup: @alexoustonbeauty
Creative Direction & Styling: @arnhem_arnhem_ & @ahhtash

Special thanks to...

The globetrottersiraconlineusa Design Team

Lux Design Group

Meet Jules – The Beneath Our Sun Print Designer

2021-03-02T10:21:22+11:00

As part of our meet the makers story for our first-ever Australian made collection, Beneath Our Sun, we’re excited to introduce you to the talented artist behind the Acacia print. Jules is known for her signature romantic florals and bohemian aesthetic, so we were delighted when she agreed to collaborate with us on the beautiful print for this limited-edition collection. Below we chat about Jule’s creative process, print design, inspiration and find out what she’s manifesting in 2021…

JULES, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF…
Hello! I’m a freelance textile designer, currently based on the coast in Sydney! I spend most of my days drawing/painting flowers and creating patterns for beautiful fashion brands. I feel super lucky that what was once my hobby has become my job!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC?
I’d say my design aesthetic has a soft bohemian vibe to it. I’ve always had a love for watercolours, vintage key line motifs and Indian textiles!

WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION?
I like to look for inspiration in nature and existing textiles from vintage origins/traditional artisan processes. I’m always inspired by Indian block prints, paisleys and floral chintz and can get easily lost for hours in botanical books or on Pinterest/Etsy accounts finding textiles from different lands and eras.

TELL US THE STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK YOU CREATED FOR OUR AUSTRALIAN MADE PRINT ACACIA.
The Acacia print was such a special one to create. Each individual motif is hand sketched and painted with watercolours, inspired by the lively colours and textures of our native flora. I just love how it captures the blossoming beauty from our very own backyard!

WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR PRINT DESIGN BEGIN AND HOW HAS IT GROWN AND EVOLVED?
My passion for print design was very much a self-taught journey. It was only when I went travelling after University in 2014 that I immersed myself in Batik, Mud dyeing and Block printing workshops in Asia where I discovered this world of textile design. When I first started designing prints, I had no official training only a degree in graphic design/illustration. All I knew was that I liked to draw, I loved flowers and to wear pretty things- so that’s where it all started. I moved to Bali and lived there for 3 years, learning the trade and worked closely with a few Bali based labels and textile studios. It was so important for me to have that time and creative freedom in Bali to grow my skill and style. When I moved back to Sydney in 2018, I worked full time for an Australian Fashion Label amongst some of the most inspiring designers, and learnt so so much. Fast forward to now I still get giddy every time I see my art out in the world worn by so many different humans for brands I adore.

WHO ARE THE CREATIVES THAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY ADMIRING?
There are so many! I’m currently drooling over @memor_studio pottery, @simuero_ jewellery, @mirador_ painted sarongs, @viancasoleil island photography, @blockprintcompany artisan craft, @nicolefabredesigns vintage collection and @jeannedekroon ethical approach to fashion… Just to name a few!

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED DAILY RITUALS?
A bit of yoga in the morning and a walk in the sunshine always make my days feel complete.

WHAT’S YOUR DEFINITION OF BEAUTY?
To me, beauty is anything that makes you smile and feel happy. I feel and see it everywhere.

I’M CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH…
This band called Drug Cabin. They aren’t super recent, but I’ve only just discovered them and I’m obsessed!

THIS YEAR I’M MANIFESTING…
A home!

My partner and I have been working really hard to buy a place,

he is from California so we really can’t wait to make our own little home together on the coast.

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

Meet The Maker: Rhiannon Mapstone

2020-08-28T09:01:00+10:00

Meet the maker of our new natural perfume, Flora Bohemia – Rhiannon Mapstone, Founder & Natural Perfumer at YALU.

Perfume is one of the most ancient luxuries that we know of. We love that Rhiannon has preserved the fine art of blending therapeutic natural ingredients to create the most sublime fragrances that have a profound resonance with body, mind, and spirit.

To celebrate the launch of our natural perfume collaboration, that coincides with our recent launch of Sunday Somewhere, we talk to Rhiannon about what really goes on in the magical world of natural fragrance and of course, talk Sunday diaries.

WHAT DOES A SUNDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Well, it’s been an interesting time for us through Covid. We are loving our lazy Sunday with walks around the beautiful Yarra Bend, coffee and fresh warm croissants from our local. It's been our saving grace during lockdown, just to be in nature it helps in times like this. Before lockdown, we'd usually head out of Melbourne city and into the countryside. There are so many beautiful places to visit. Gosh I miss the adventure and all the glorious smells! Fingers crossed we get a little more freedom come springtime. It's such a romantic time of the year when everything starts to bloom again, hopefully we will too.

DESCRIBE THAT SUNDAY FEELING.

Restful, reflective.
A good Sunday involves very little planning and mostly just meandering.

WHAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR CREATING YALU NATURAL PERFUME?

Yalu came from a creative time in my life when I needed to transform to thrive. I'd just come out of many years working as a Naturopath and felt a strong urge to change my direction and set sail to the land of perfume. This led me to creating nurturing products that I believed would benefit people in my community.
Yalu Natural Perfume is the result of this creative journey; building a relationship with natural botanicals and diving deep into making beautiful scent compositions. I'm a real hermit nerd. So you'll find me most days researching my latest scent tangent, or exploring ways to create something unique. It's been the best choice of my life so far and I feel lucky to have found it.

WHERE DOES THE IDEA FOR A NEW SCENT ORIGINATE FROM?

So many different beautiful things about life inspire me to the perfume organ. Everything and everyone has a story, I'm just elaborating on the parts I find most captivating. A lot of my new collection comes from a place of poetry, music, travel and a deep love for nature. My life before Yalu and Naturopathy was as a singer/songwriter. So I'll always have a song in my head or gravitate towards the beauty in life, in a moment and connect it back to the art of perfumery.

WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

I love getting witchy with nature. It's what first drew me to Naturopathy and herbalism. The idea of understanding all personalities of healing herbs was always so exciting to me. As a Naturopath I loved working with herbs and essences, the detailed plan of creating a tincture to help someone heal, it's a little similar to creating a natural perfume. Years of research and understanding go into learning your ingredients and creating harmonious blends.
Some of my earliest memories as a kid are playing with roses and lavender to make potions. We'd squish the flowers into a hanky, soak them in water and try to sell them out the front of my friends house in Essendon. Now I'm just a big kid that does the same thing but in a more grown up way ....and it smells better.

WHAT ARE YOUR DAILY RITUALS TO HELP YOU RELAX, REVIVE & RECHARGE WHEN IT’S NOT A SUNDAY?

- Naturally, I start each day with perfume on my pulse points. Mostly it's something new I've been working on and I want to see how it's coming along.
- Music! Lots of music! Dancing in the studio in between scent work and answering emails. It's been really helpful for shifting those funky moods during lockdown.
- Actually something that has really been working for me is taking soothing showers by candlelight. It helps me to switch off from the day and slide into relaxation mode. All that steam and soft light, it's perfect. I highly recommend it. I have this body scrub I made with lots of lavender, bergamot, and cypress. The scent quickly fills the air and envelopes you. I like to imagine I'm at some fancy day spa.
- Just because things are a little stressful lately, I've been taking medicinal Saffron, Rescue Remedy, and my own blend of Ashwagandha/Reishi/Siberian Ginseng. It's been a huge help.
- I Always have fresh cut flowers in the house. Lately it's been clippings of Golden Wattles from our daily walks by the river.

YOU KNOW IT’S NOT 100% GOOD FOR YOU, BUT YOU’RE NOT GIVING IT UP – WHAT IS IT?

My obsession with Henry Cavill and Margaritas hahaha. Come on! and sometimes they go together.

THERE’S SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT SCENT’S POWERFUL CONNECTION TO OUR BRAINS AND ITS POTENTIAL TO HEAL, SOOTHE AND DELIGHT: WHAT’S THE BLEND THAT TRANSPORTS YOU TO A PLACE OF PURE BLISS?

Oh this is easy, I’d have to say our new perfume Crystal Visions. It’s rich warm floral notes of amber, saffron, oud, musk and rose. They are heavenly to me right now. I can't get enough of it! It also has some beautiful Spanish saffron that I collected in Granada last year. This perfume always takes me back there and sunsets over the Alhambra.

WHAT’S THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR SUNDAY?

Music is everything in the Mapstone house. My husband Gerry is a talented Flamenco guitarist. Every Sunday you'll find him at our kitchen table jammin' out something beautiful. So I guess he really is the official soundtrack, but we've also been getting into Lianne La Havas new album, Arlo Parks, Donny Benét, Lime Cordiale, Lastlings, Michael Kiwanuka, Annie Hamilton, Black Pumas, Christine and The Queens, Friendly Fires and some daggy romantic 80's tunes that make us feel like we are in a movie montage.

🌸

Shop Flora Bohemia online now.

For more on the alchemy of natural fragrance follow Rhiannon @yalu_naturalperfume

Meet The Maker: Gabriella Abell

2020-08-28T09:00:00+10:00

Meet the maker of our new Serenity Face Mist – Gabriella Abell, Founder of Studium Essentials.

We love Gab’s holistic approach to skincare. As a naturopath Gab knows that what goes on internally shows externally.

And, given that the skin is our largest organ her obsession with plant wisdom means that her products are toxin-free, effective, and actually good for you.

Of course, we share the same passion for sustainability. Her products are handmade in Australia and come in recyclable glass packaging, delivered in compostable packaging.

For the launch of our collaboration, in conjunction with our latest collection Sunday Somewhere, below we talk beauty, passion and all things Sunday related with Gab…

WHAT DOES A SUNDAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Walking to the farmers market to get the week's groceries, cooking up a big breakfast, giving the house a clean & if it’s a nice day getting some sunshine. If I’m not doing that, you can find me working at the shop that I part own with four other amazing, inspiring women - maker store & studio.

DESCRIBE THAT SUNDAY FEELING.
Sunday to me is a day to reset, reconnect and reflect. It feels like a collectively ‘slow’ day for all; where you can indulge in that energy and make space for daydreaming.

WHAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR CREATING STUDIUM?
It started with my love for aromatherapy. How scent can help restore, transcend and transport us. I know it’s cliche but it’s true - it only takes me a whiff of jasmine essential oil and I’ll be transported to a balmy summer's night. It’s intoxicating. It started as just perfume and now it’s encompassing skincare too (and more in the future!). I feel very lucky to call this my ‘job’.

WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
To bring the magic of plants into our everyday lives.

WHAT ARE YOUR DAILY RITUALS TO HELP YOU RELAX, REVIVE & RECHARGE WHEN IT’S NOT A SUNDAY?
Anything to do with water- an ocean dip, an intentional cup of tea or a candlelit bath.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST DISCOVERY ON THE SEARCH FOR TRUE BEAUTY?
That it has nothing to do with how you look on the outside!

NOURISHMENT COMES FROM THE INSIDE OUT. YOU ARE DEVOTED TO PLANT TEACHINGS, WISDOM & OFFERINGS – WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE RECIPE TO SUPPORT YOUR OWN NATURAL HEALTH?
For the mind: deep feeling breaths.
For the body: herbal tea of nettle, oatstraw and motherwort.
For the soul: homemade sourdough fresh out of the oven slathered in butter and a sprinkle of flakey sea salt.

YOU KNOW IT’S NOT 100% GOOD FOR YOU,

BUT YOU’RE NOT GIVING IT UP – WHAT IS IT?
Mindless social scrolling and falling into a Youtube vortex.

WHAT’S THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR SUNDAY?
Everybody Loves The Sunshine by Roy Ayers Ubiquity.

For more naturopathically formulated skincare goodness follow Gab @studium.essentials

We also talked to Gab about the magic formula being our globetrottersiraconlineusa x Studium Essentials Serenity Face Mist.

The Serenity Face Mist is designed to restore and elevate with a blend of organic hydrosols and essential oils. Hydrosols or floral waters occur as a by-product of essential oil distillation. During essential oil distillation steam is passed through plant matter. Essential oils are light and float on the top, whilst the remaining half is the floral water. Hydrosols are special because they still contain the essence of a plant-like essential oils do, but at a much lower dose, making them ideal for sensitive skin.

Elevate your floral consciousness and mist with reverence over the face and neck area to provide essential hydration to the skin at any time of the day. Serenity Face Mist is great for stressed skin arising from long periods of traveling or time spent in an air-conditioned environment. You can also use it to help remove makeup, or simply mist over bed linen before sleep.

Our special formula has a low dose of essential oils to avoid conflict with sensitive skin.

Ingredients: Rose Hydrosol*, Sandalwood Hydrosol*, Witch Hazel* (low alcohol),

Essential Oils of Frankincense Resin, Rose Damask Absolute & Geranium Leaf, Radish Root Filtrate.
*certified organic.

Discover the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils in Serenity.

Frankincense
One of the greatest restorers of the nervous system to induce clarity and calm thanks to its chemical makeup, which is high sesquiterpenes; known to stimulate the limbic brain in a deeply relaxing and nourishing manner. Frankincense has been used since time immemorial; from Egyptian pharaohs to medieval France, to the Bible. Its ability to quieten mental chatter and help lead us to a meditative state makes it ideal for spiritual practices, or simply to unwind after a long day.

Rose Absolute
Rose, the restorer of the heart that reigns supreme amongst any other flower used in perfumery. Rose oil is exceptional for regenerating and restoring skin cells, making it ideal for all skin types. Rose is the essence for self-love and feminine embodiment; bringing comfort, confidence, and restoration, so we can face the world with our heart on our sleeves.

Geranium
A sweet, floral scent with fresh citrus and spicy undernotes; Geranium leaf is known to have a centering yet liberating effect on the body. It will help to loosen the shackles from the analytical mind to make room for imagination, intuition, and sensory experiences. Geranium is also a wonderful healer for sunburn and a welcome companion after a day spent in the sun.

Treat Yourself

🌸 Shop globetrottersiraconlineusa Gifts & Collaboratios 🌸

Meet Jaz - Our Mother Earth Tee Artist

2020-07-15T13:16:00+10:00

Jaz Meier of @harleyandj is one of of our favourite local artists.

Our obsession with the distinct organic flow of her divinely feminine, vintage-inspired illustrations finally became a beautiful reality when Jaz agreed to collaborate on our Mother Earth Tee.

We chat with this talented artist and mum-to-be about her creative journey.

WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR CREATING ART BEGIN AND HOW HAS IT GROWN AND EVOLVED?

I can always remember from a young age taking an interest in anything creative and crafty. This was especially encouraged and nurtured by the mother from a very young age. My mum is a talented painter and textile designer so I think for her it was very natural to want to encourage it within her children. I have two younger sisters and each are both talented artistically in their own way which has a lot to do with Mum. All our rooms were decked out in her paintings of mermaids, fairy's and wood nymphs which really kick-started our love for art. I am always grateful to my Mother for this as Art is not always the most lucrative career choice and many parents do not encourage it but I truly love my job and I have her to thank.

WHAT AND WHO ARE YOUR MAIN SOURCES OF INSPIRATION?
I would say I'm inspired mostly by what is happening around me both in the world and my own life. It's hard now with the internet constant contact to the world events at our fingers to not be influenced by what is happening around us and for that to filter down into my art. Otherwise, I explore themes such as love, the female form and nature.

Art wise though my number all-time favourite will forever be Alphonse Mucha. I love his reverence of women and nature-infused in one and it's clear to see in a lot of my pieces I take inspiration from him and the Art Nouveau era.

WHO ARE THE CREATIVES YOU’RE CURRENTLY ADMIRING?
I have my favourite IG accounts I'm always drawn to and inspired by; they are all small-time artists like me doing it on their own which I will always admire.

Laura Kensington @laurakensington is a wonderful psych artist from Spain.

Nick Potts @nickwpotts is another psych/seventies influenced artist from the Blue Mountains.

Rach Urquhart @raychponygold another Northern rivers based female artist I can't get enough of.

Just lately Sharlene Perkins @sharleneartsy a US female illustrator I have just discovered whose art has a strong political message on race.

I love that IG has opened up a portal for artists to share their art worldwide.

I've discovered so many talented artists work I love and look up to and without it, I doubt I would be able to have the career I have now.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST CHERISHED DAILY RITUALS?
Usually, my mornings would always start with a surf but since being pregnant I have now had to change my morning start to a walk. We have just moved to Lennox Head and my favourite daily ritual now is walking down to the Tea Tree lake and back up on the beach. I have always lived by the coast my whole life and rely heavily on the ocean for my daily fix of calm and grounding.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES & DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE?
To be able to create art and take the love and joy I find in it till when I am old and grey.

To see more of Jaz's beautiful illustrations follow her on Instagram @harleyandj

Our 'Be Kind To Mother Earth' Tee launches at 9am AEST, Thursday 16th July.

Clothing, Connection & the Crisis

2020-05-21T12:17:00+10:00

William Shakespeare once famously penned the line;

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.

Perhaps one of the most romantic lines in history and written by the legendary Playwright during a plague that saw theatres close across London.

And here we are today faced with a pandemic of a different kind. But I am not here to ask you “what is in a name”? No. I am here to ask you “what is behind the clothing you wear and if you knew the truth would it be so sweet?”

Has your favourite dress never evoked feelings of nostalgia and romanticism similar to the writings from the man himself?

When you think of your favourite dress and the question poised “what is behind the clothing you wear?” – could you tell me about the Designer, Tailor, Seamstress, Pattern Cutter, Grader, Fabric Cutter, Sample & Sewing Machinist who have brought this piece to life, through to the Store Owner or Sales Assistant who have taken their time to help you find that dress.

That is just touching briefly on the many roles involved behind a fashion label and behind these roles are people whose livelihoods and businesses are now at stake due to the current crisis at hand and the impact that COVID-19 is having on the people who make our clothes extends further than what most of us know.

I asked myself recently who am I to write about the fashion industry during a time such as this?

Then again who am I not?

The more I delved into the current situation at hand and the impact the crisis is having on the fashion industry worldwide, I realised that this is an industry that requires us to step up as individuals and make a change.

In writing this piece I want to highlight that the fashion industry is affected far beyond the closure of our favourite boutique’s doors. There are the doors many of us are unware of; the doors where approximately 50 million Garment Makers have been impacted by this crisis, with factories clothing doors and in some cases fashion brands cancelling orders in turn leaving these workers who bring our clothing to life with no source of income.

I call these men and women Artisans. Fashion is an art form and art is something we all turn to in times of need (take a look at the recent fires on the East Coast of Australia where local Artisans stepped up to raise funds and offer support). But these particular Artisans need us to use our voices to demand change and equipped with the right knowledge we can educate ourselves on the ‘closed doors’ of the fashion industry and take action collectively.

I have spent my evenings pouring over articles or pounding the pavements listening to podcasts (Clare Press for the record has an amazing podcast “Wardrobe Crisis” featuring interviews with game changers in the industry) on the current crisis at hand.

Let’s start with manufacturing. Around 4 million people work in apparel factories in Bangladesh alone, in Indonesia it is another 4 million. In life, we are not given a choice of where we are born and at the core we are all the same, at the end of the day we should all be treated with dignity, respect and be given the same rights. For many or the women and men in these countries working in the apparel industry, they are not given these rights and working in the apparel industry is one of the very few options that they have for work.

I have read news articles on a Shoe Maker in India who had not received his wages for two weeks after the factory he works for shut its door due to the crisis. Along with his colleagues, he is unlikely to see any wages for the month of April, relying on last months’ salary.

In Bangladesh a Garment Worker who noted “if we stay home we may save ourselves from the virus but who will save us from starvation?”

This particular worker was a part of recent protests in the country after many large high profile fashion corporations pulled the pin on orders and these orders are paid after delivery rather than upon placement of the order (some at 30, 60 or even 90 day payment terms) thus leaving factories unable to pay their employees.

This is where the #payup movement has come to play that has been created by Remake, a not-for-profit corporation that focuses on educating and informing consumers about the realities of the fast fashion industry. Earlier in April, Remake launched the #payup petition demanding that large fashion corporations pay for their orders now and noted an estimated $3 billion dollars was owed to garment factories in countries such as Bangladesh, India and Cambodia for both upcoming and in-production orders.

Remake has stated that an estimated 50 million Garment Makers will be impacted by the crisis. With the #payup petition in full swing its efforts have seen many large players step up and well pay up; ensuring that factories at the bottom of the supply chain can pay their employees at a time when it is needed more than ever; as it is those at the bottom of the supply chain that truly suffer the most. These efforts have not only come from Remake themselves but from consumers worldwide, yet again highlighting the power and importance of community and worldwide community at that. Individuals have stepped up by posting to Instagram and emailing companies direct, as well as signing the current petition (as at the 25th April 8,299 have signed!)

Speaking of worldwide community and from my own personal viewpoint, I believe that we are all connected no matter where we come from and that we have to take care of those within our own communities as well as internationally. This crisis has highlighted that we are all in this together.
Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate no matter where in the world you live and with regards to the world at large many Australian labels have been asked why they don’t manufacture here in Australia.

I want you to think of those in the aforementioned countries where garment manufacturing equates to a large proportion of roles and ask yourself does moving production locally produce a better world and is it really the answer?

There are many benefits to manufacturing overseas for labels and there are many reasons why labels do manufacture overseas. Manufacturing in Australia does not always equate to ethics either, with a report by the Australian Fair Work Ombudsman advising this year that 20% of textile, clothing and footwear businesses were failing to pay their workers correctly and while conditions in Australia are to a much higher standard than some of the large manufacturers overseas – collectively we still have a long way to go.

I had the opportunity to discuss the matter of overseas manufacturing with Ayesha Barenblat – Founder & CEO of Remake who brought to light that the fashion supply chain is very fragmented with examples of the number of Mills in China and Pakistan that are nearer cotton manufacturers.

“YKK is the largest manufacturer of zippers and has a monopoly on that market. For value added garments, a lot of that expertise resides in China. Sri Lanka has done a heavy amount of research & development, as well as technology investment to make high performance athletic gear and lingerie. Certainly COVID-19 has exposed how fragile supply chains are, and there may be some brands that are smaller, that would hope to bring some of these processes near to their home markets in order to assure supply chain resilience in the future but for the bigger players this type of consolidation would be impossible to do”.

Ayesha makes a strong point in the fact that there are sweatshops everywhere (and you may think not here but truth be told fast fashion labels, can, will and have always found a way to exploit labour.

“For example, in the US context, there are sweatshops right in LA sewing for brands like FashionNova and there have been similar sweatshops in Leister in the UK and in Melbourne. In fact our latest film short Made in America sheds light on exactly this issue. That with the rise in anti-immigration and anti-globalization and trade, there is a movement that conflates bringing manufacturing back home with those products always being sustainable and ethical.”

Ayesha and the team at Remake take the same viewpoint that I myself take on overseas production with the belief that developed countries have to keep transitioning to being service focused and make green and clean tech investments.

“If we advocate to just cut and run from Bangladesh what would happen to the 4.1 million women who rely on these jobs there? This is why our #PayUp campaign and our focus on transparency overall is more focused on holding brands accountable and we promote more sustainable brands committed to people and our planet, regardless of where the product is made”.

Whether production occurs here in Australia or overseas it should always be a question of ethics. A vast majority of Australian sustainable and ethical labels do manufacture overseas and for many of these labels the key is not only in choosing manufacturers wisely but also ensuring they visit the factories where production takes place so they can have the confidence in knowing that those producing their garments have safe working conditions and are paid fairly. As consumers it is important to understand what is behind the production of clothing and this is why labels need to offer transparency into their supply chains. As an example globetrottersiraconlineusa recently released their latest Quarterly Sustainability Report that offers everything you need to know behind the brands production, so that you as the consumer are equipped not only the knowledge but can have complete confidence in knowing that you are purchasing from a brand that honours and makes commitments to their global makers.

While it is great to see consumers ask the questions around manufacturing there are also expectations that manufacturing locally is easy and it really isn’t as simple as flicking a switch. The reason many ethical and sustainable labels choose to manufacture overseas is due to the fact it isn’t practical or feasible. It comes down to a variety of reasons but also includes those involved in fabric production through to a shortage of skilled workers in pattern making. While ethical and sustainable clothing costs you as the consumer more; you are in turn paying for quality and for the quality of life by the person who has bought that product to life. A good way to look at it is that how we spend our money is an exchange of energy and by spending with brands that honour commitments to those who manufacturer their garments you are in turn casting a vote for the type of world you want to live in.

I truly believe that our focus should remain on transparency on manufacturing as well as educating ourselves on the manufacturing process with a reminder that overseas manufacturing does not equate to unsustainable products and that local manufacturing does not equate to better ethics.

As Dr Rubana Huq a Bangladeshi women who is the first elected female President of the Bangaldesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently stated on a the ‘Wardrobe Crisis’ podcast;

“We are a manufacturing country. Our reality and your reality are entirely different but it is not a time to point out our difference, it is a time to work together”.

So let’s give it a shot – collectively and as one.

Back in the land down under the question remains of how we can support the fashion industry during this crisis?

While it is important that the labels we know and love here in Australia honour their commitments to global manufacturers during this time, it is up to us as consumers to honour our commitments to these Designers and their teams, furthermore supporting those labels that practice sustainability and ethics.

#WeWearAustralian is another creative initiative that has risen from the crisis. Created by Richard Poulson of ShowroomX, the project focuses on showcasing local talent and raises awareness for those in the fashion industry. Brands that are participating in the initiative are making either a monetary or clothing donation in support of two Australian charities – Dress for Success and Thread Together. A further example of how the fashion industry goes above and beyond to extend their support to the wider community.

While it is great to be able to purchase from Australian labels, there are other ways in which you can get involved in supporting not only the local industry but the worldwide industry and in a way that supports ethics and sustainability. This can include anything from being more mindful of whom you support during this time, posting a shout-out to your favourite local label on Instagram or sending your favourite label an email to let them know you are thinking of them, through to enquiring with brands on what their stance is on workers’ rights.

Fashion Revolution Weeks’ focus this year was on four key components that included;

Consumption
We must rethink the nature of our consumption and how we spend, adopting new ways of engaging with fashion and calling on brands to rethink business models whilst honouring those who make our clothes and treasuring the pieces we own.

Composition
The impacts of clothing on the environment. Plastic based materials now comprise the majority of our clothes and in turn are shedding microfibers into our waterways that endanger not only human health but nature’s ecosystems.

Conditions
The fashion supply chain exploits some of the most vunerable of people. It is about calling for deeper transparency to put an end to modern slavery and upholding human rights for everyone involved.

Collective
We are all connected and we are all in this together. When we come together we can make a change.

While Fashion Revolution Week may be just that (a week) let’s not forget that we have the choice to apply the above four principles in our lives every single day and there is no time like the present than to start now. Wouldn’t it be great to see more of society using this time to reflect on the old and implement practices for the future that benefit those that are involved in the production and manufacturing of not only what we wear but also the environment.

Together I hope we can create waves in the fashion industry, to shut the door on what is morally and ethically wrong and open the door to what is right – a society that not only embraces sustainability and ethics in fashion but a society that shows care and concern for those who create our clothing.

Just as Shakespeare created some of his greatest work during a crisis, perhaps we as consumers can too create something great. Who wouldn’t want to see a kinder industry emerge! It is up to us as consumers to change that. Often we feel that our efforts won’t be enough and let me tell you I have felt that way before, but this is about more than us and the perfect time to start is now, right where you are.

In the words of the famous Playright himself – “strong reasons make strong actions”.

Wear that dress that evokes a feeling of love and share a little love in the process…

🌏💕

Here are some great references to get you started on a journey in support of ethics and sustainability:

Fashion Revolution Australia
The people behind Fashion Revolution Week! This website is at the forefront of ethics and sustainability in the fashion industry with the focus on conserving and restoring the environment and the value of human rights over growth and profit.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development goals address the global challenges we all face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. There are 17 goals in total that are all interconnected with a focus on leaving no one behind.

globetrottersiraconlineusa Quarterly Sustainability Report
globetrottersiraconlineusa’s Quarterly Sustainability Report is aligned with each section of the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the brand focusing on their responsibility to ensure that their environmental impact is as small as possible and that those involved in the supply chain are respected and cared for. Reports such as these give you as the consumer a true understanding of the whole process behind a label. If a label you love doesn’t have an ethics or sustainability report noted on their website send an email to their PR team requesting this info as this has been a game changer for a number of brands in the past adopting sustainable and ethical practices after consumer enquiries!

1% for the Planet
With a focus on building a better future together and a global movement started by Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Craig Matthews of Blue Ribbon Flies the concept behind 1% for the Planet is simple; whilst companies profit from the resources they take from the earth, they should in turn protect those resources. Today they have more than 2,000 members in over 45 countries and have raised to date $225 million in support to approved environmental non-profits.

Wardrobe Crisis
Clare Press is one of those people who when I am asked to “list three you could choose three people to come to dinner” well she is always first to mind. Clare’s book “Wardrobe Crisis – How We Went from Sunday Best to Fast Fashion” was a game changer for me and opened my eyes to the reality that is the fast fashion industry. Second to that was the release of “Rise and Resist – How to Change the World” will really change your viewpoint so you can change the world. Her podcasts are also a must for anyone interested in ethics and sustainability and in 2018 she was named VOGUE Magazines first Sustainability Editor.

The Green Hub
The Green Hub is an Australian sustainable fashion and lifestyle blog started by Kira Simpson who shares brands, research, guides and practical tips to help empower consumers to make better choices that are kinder for both people and the planet. Kira is a real game changer for the industry and notes “we’re not perfect, nobody is. But we are trying to do a little something to leave the world a better place and you can too”.

Remake
Remake’s mission is to make fashion a force for good. From the environmental impacts through to the unsafe working conditions in the manufacturing industry – the end goal for this community platform is to put an end to fast fashion by building local leaders and creating documentaries, stories and campaigns to empower the worldwide community to take a stand. You can also sign their online petition that demands brands #payup during COVID-19 and save Garment Maker’s lives.

#WeWearAustralian
Created by Showroom X this Australian initiative unites the local fashion industry during this unprecedented time and helps to contribute and uplift those in the fashion community whilst supporting two national charities; Dress for Success who assist women wanting to return to the workforce and Thread Together who take excess stock from Designers and Manufacturers and redistribute to those in the community that need it the most.

Article written by guest contributor Lauren Sarah Purcell.

Lauren resides in Perth, WA. She is passionate about ethics and sustainability in the fashion industry. Lauren has previously written for Circular Style print publication and is a a conscious consumer, part time writer and a lover of wildflowers, photography, art history, poetry and mother earth.

Imagery supplied by globetrottersiraconlineusa & Remake (community behind #PayUp)

Meet The Maker: Brooke Clunie

2020-05-20T08:40:00+10:00

Meet the maker of our best-selling mugs and keep-cups - Brooke Clunie!

We're obsessed with Brooke's handmade organic form. We love how the fluid lines of the vibrant glazes effortlessly combine with the earthy natural finish.

And all of these everyday pieces are fired in her kiln right here in the Byron Bay hinterland.

We talk to artisan Brooke about her passions and introduce you to the magical maker behind one of our most successful globetrottersiraconlineusa collaborations.

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A POTTER: WHEN DID IT BEGIN, HOW HAS IT EVOLVED AND WHAT KEEPS YOU IN THE STUDIO DAY AFTER DAY.
The best part of being a potter is creating pieces that can be used daily, from that first brew in the morning with loved ones right through the day to serving a hearty evening feast.

My obsession with clay began in my final years at school where I was lucky enough to have an awesome pottery teacher. She instilled discipline and creativity in my practice, not to be too precious and to always remember form and function. I was given the keys to the art room - what a privilege to have learnt in a time when you could do this!

WHAT’S THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AESTHETIC AND WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL TO YOU?
At the moment I am driven by restful spaces and time in the pieces that I make. So inspiration comes from an internal quest for stillness. Each piece with the end user in mind and how they will receive this quiet intention.

All need to be ‘wanted’ so to speak and stand alone or in a group.

I’m not too concerned with the perfect thrown pot but more with the feelings they encourage and project forward. This creates beauty for me.

Functionality therefore drives another aspect to my range with form being my main concern - the lip of a bowl or mug, a handle, the belly; how these aspects to a piece make them function well and be the first for hungry hands to reach for.

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE IN ISOLATION?
It’s not too hard. Throwing on the wheel really solves all my dilemmas...so this past week has been great - globetrottersiraconlineusa mug making has me consumed!

IF YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY/S RIGHT NOW TO SPEND TIME AT HOME?
Reading - I’m excited to start Hilary Mantels and Sebastian Barry’s new novels. Both are set in past centuries. There’s nothing better than curling up and diving in to another century for a while!

IS THERE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED WITH CLAY AT HOME IF THEY DON’T ALREADY HAVE SOMETHING SET-UP?
Yes, Clay Play
- anyone can play with clay at their kitchen table. Pinch Pots or sculptures and just letting your imagination run wild is great fun. Kids often make anything that comes to mind. As adults, we need to not overthink and just let rip. All you need is a bag of clay- tools - our hands! That’s it!

I remember my first kids class way, way back - they all made what was totally new on the scene...mobile phones - these would be historic now...lol.

The next drop of globetrottersiraconlineusa X Brooke Clunie magic launches Thursday, 21st May.

SHOP ARNHEM HOMEWARES NOW ONLINE

Meet Julia Founder & Creator of Bonito Jewellery

2020-05-04T11:30:00+10:00

You may have spotted some delicate, feminine jewellery in our accessories collection recently and perhaps wondered where these beautiful treasures came from.

In Portuguese, Bonito means beautiful and aptly this is where this wearable art came from – Bonito Jewelery.

Transforming raw materials into wearable art, Julia the creator of Bonito Jewelery wants you to have the opportunity to ‘look good while doing good’. And this is where our business values align; we chose to connect with and support Bonito as they too are a values driven business. Bonito/Beautiful is the concept of Giving Back. For every $100 you shop with Bonito Jewelry they donate a backpack with school supplies to a child in need.

Bonito creates those unique pieces that will stay with you forever, complimenting any outfit.

If it’s an ethical treasure trove of sparkles and delicate layers that you’ve been searching for, then look no further than Bonito.

Meet the Maker of Bonito - Julia

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOU...

HOW DID YOU COME TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA?

AND WHAT WAS THE CATALYST WAS FOR CREATING YOUR LITERALLY BEAUTIFUL JEWELLERY BRAND, BONITO.
I was living in Bali for a while, working as a volunteer for the Green School, and designing and creating Bonito Jewelry. Once the store was live, I decided to join my partner in Sydney and base the business from there. While living in Bali I felt in love with the creative process of jewelry making, and started designing and producing a few pieces with local jewellers. Once I received the first samples I decided to create the brand and sell these beautiful pieces to the world!

GIVING BACK IS AT THE HEART OF BONITO.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY & WHY THE CAUSES YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO ALIGN WITH ARE DEAR TO YOUR HEART.
The main reason to go to Bali was to get involved with the alternative-education industry. I thought I wanted to start a school (which I still want to, but in the future), so I volunteered at the Green School to learn more about education and sustainability. In parallel, I created Bonito Jewelry and had the intention to add a giving back program to the business. I decided to combine my three passions: jewelry, education and sustainability. Since the first day of the brand, we have ran many different giving back programs, and we always chose to support projects worldwide that either educate people or help improve the environment. For example, during Black Friday 2018, we donated 5% of every sale to a project in India that educated women to become financially independent and to start their own business. In January and February 2020, for every purchase made, we planted a tree in the affected ares of the bushfires in NSW.
Currently, we have an ongoing program in which for every $100 spent, we give a backpack with school supplies to a child in need. We have donated over 1000 backpacks to children in Brazil and Indonesia. Running these programs is always very exciting and fulfilling. We know our impact is still small, but we have big plans for the future as the company grows!

WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU’RE CONCEPTING A NEW COLLECTION?
I look at three aspects when I’m designing a new collection:
1. What are our best-sellers/the designs our customers already love
2. What is the fashion trend of the moment: we read trend reports from Vogue, WGSN and other industry experts.
3. What is inspiring me: nature, animals, art, symbols, etc.

With these three aspects laid out, I’m able to design a collection that will sell well, call attention from the fashion industry, and be unique!

IF YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY RIGHT NOW TO SPEND TIME ISOLATION?
My favourite way to spend time during this period, besides working, is to go explore nature with my partner and our dog. Some national parks and trails are still open, so we do our best to get amongst them. When I immerse myself in nature in times of stress and uncertainty, it gives me a different perspective to life. It makes me realise that life, as nature, is beautiful and chaotic, and we just need to love and be grateful to be a part of it!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO STAY HEALTHY AT HOME?
To stay healthy at home I exercise every day in the morning. I’ve been using an online app (sweat) that gives me different workouts that are easy to do at home. I’ve also tried to go for walks during the sunrise: there is almost no one outside and waking up very early makes me feel like I’m already having a great day!
I must admit I have been cooking and eating a lot more, but I always choose healthy recipes.

Shop pieces from Bonito Jewelery in our Accessories collection.

Or, view the full Bonito Jewelery range online here ✨

Talking Zero Waste Kulture

2020-04-16T16:06:00+10:00

We are so excited to bring you two incredible zero waste products as part of our latest Revive collaboration with Zero Waste Kulture.

We first discovered this amazing zero waste brand at our local Santos store and immediately fell in love with the Everyday Household and Face Wipes.

Crafted from recycled materials reclaimed through charities and hand made locally in the Byron Bay hinterland, these zero waste beauties are super cute and practical too.

And beyond the aesthetics, this incredible product not only offered us the opportunity to avoid single use plastics, but presented the chance to support charities & small local businesses too.

Always in search of new ways to utilise our globetrottersiraconlineusa off-cuts to prevent surplus fabric from ending up in landfill, we were honoured when Jodee of Zero Waste Kulture agreed to collaborate.

We are so in love with the two new Revive products created -

globetrottersiraconlineusa X Zero Waste Kulture Everyday Household Wipes

globetrottersiraconlineusa X Zero Waste Kulture Everyday Face Wipes

Insanely pretty, these limited edition zero-waste products are a huge step towards living more sustainably.

Take care of them with love and you can continue reusing them forever. And should you find that they come to the end of their natural life, compost them at home.

This collaboration took on a whole new meaning for us in terms of sustainability and social responsibility.

So we'd love you to find out more about your co-creator, Jodee, of Zero Waste Kulture...

WHAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR ZERO WASTE KULTURE & HOW HAS IT EVOLVED?
The catalyst was seeing the functionality and the gross misuse of resources that end up in landfill.

I started making earrings from leather waste sourced from the fashion industry, my original product Imperfectly Perfect,

was created to show my daughters that although we are always aiming to be as perfect as possible, the beauty that we should enjoy is in the quirky and the imperfect.

During this time I was working in an industry that created and existed on the same elements as the destructive fast fashion industry,

and was doing very little to give back to the environment and the planet. Over the next few months, I started holding workshops around resourcing waste,

found in charity stores and I made my first Zero Waste Kulture item, a reusable bread bag and started selling them locally, wholesaling and retailing. My next products the reusable face wipes and then the household wipes, were all created with the intent of giving back to the community, by sourcing the fabrics through charity organisations, stopping the unnecessary amount of fabrics that end up landfill, selling a product that could be used over and over again, and finally when it was done with, it could be degraded as it was made using natural materials. I’m really excited about creating more products and working in collaboration with industry and the charity sector to see what more can be done.

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE GREATEST CHANGE MAKER OF OUR TIME AND WHY?
There are seriously so many that when I think of change makers they each have a place in my heart for different reasons.

If I was to pick just one, today, it would be Jacinda Ardern. I can see myself in her, a mother, a business woman, but most importantly she is progressive,

intelligent, collaborative and she believes in equality for all, she has even had empathy and kindness as a policy for her team in leadership, she is my girl crush.

WHAT ARE THREE SIMPLE TOOLS WE CAN ALL USE TO RAISE AWARENESS, SPREAD KINDNESS AND BE HUMAN?
Remember to listen to others when they are talking to you, to really take in what they have to say, even if you don’t agree with it. To be heard is really important.
If you believe in something, research it, from both sides of the argument, then you are prepared to engage with sharing and potentially raising awareness.
To give of yourself, it could be something really simple, volunteering, sharing and spreading the news about someone else doing well, taking the emphasis off ourselves. When we give, we remove the need to see where our lack is in our own lives.

DURING SELF-ISOLATION WHAT’S YOUR SELF-CARE PRACTISE?
I have been making special care to schedule my time, so I don’t continually work, and that my family time is not interfered with. I run on the beach, swim in the ocean and meditate everyday.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY AMAZING NEW DISCOVERIES WHILST BEING IN LOCK-DOWN AT HOME?
I have discovered that my family is doing really well with how we move together in the home, we are sharing our space really well. I have discovered that I have more patience than I thought and that I often schedule a lot of things that I don’t necessarily have to.

SHOP THE STORY

🌱🌏💚

Artisan Story: Lucia is Slow Fashion

2020-02-06T09:55:00+11:00

Taking it back to our true bohemian roots, Lucia is a celebration of authenticity, inherent beauty, heritage, quality & a passion for protecting our planet.

Inspired by the many vintage treasures uncovered on our travels, it was an Indian 70’s gem that sparked this journey. More than 18 months from design to delivery,

we chose to create Lucia by adopting the super sustainable, ancient art of block-printing on one of our preferred fibres, organic cotton.

In collaboration with a group of highly skilled artisans in India, our vision came to life. Now we want to share the artistry of these limited-edition,

small-run treasures with you, as it’s important that you know the love story behind who made your clothes and how they were made.

THE ANCIENT BLOCK PRINTING PROCESS

The art of block printing is an ancient practice tracing back to the fifth century B.C.

Yet today this time-consuming, labour-intensive printing process is still very much alive in hundreds of villages throughout the Indian state of Rajasthan.

The artisans that we have collaborated with are centred around the village of Sanganer, located just outside of Jaipur, where generations of families have been preserving

ancient tradition, cultural heritage and their livelihoods by passing the art of block-printing down through generations.

GOING SLOW

Lucia is slow-fashion.

The story begins with a divine vintage sari that sparked the creative minds of our designer Helene and founder globetrottersiraconlineusa

into passionately sketching the designs of each Lucia piece. To preserve the look of the vintage sari print the original art of block-printing had to be adopted.

Our Production Coordinator Sam and Sustainability Coordinator Jyoti were tasked with finding an artisan partner who had a shared passion for sustainability and ethical manufacturing.

Having narrowed their search and identified the perfect partner our team visited Sanganer village in India to bring the beautiful designs to life.

In small open studios father and son teams meticulously chisel and carve designs into blocks of wood.

With an understanding of how the process begins, liaison began between the craftsmen and globetrottersiraconlineusa to establish how the print could be brought to life.

Each different colour and pattern within the print requiring its own wooden block.

Each of these blocks carved by the hands of artisans, taking hours, even days to complete.

Conversations deepened as we collaborated on the perfect saturation and hues to find pastel perfection for the Lucia print.

And with a shared respect for the planet, cross-continent discussions took place to ensure that Lucia was consciously printed to achieve minimal fabric waste.

With strike-offs achieved it was onto final printing.

In workshops around Sanganer, Chippas – a caste of printer, take the hand-carved wooden blocks and skilfully apply dyes.

They proceed to stamp lengths of organic cotton fabric with blocks specific to each element of the print.

To create our unique, complex design, each printed layer is left to dry, before the next element of the print can be applied to the very same length of organic cotton fabric.

Each part of this multistep process a skilled labour of love. The rhythms of blocks stamping the fabric like a heartbeat giving life to the design.

The true beauty of this handcraft process is in the tiny imperfections, meaning that no two garments will be the same.

This level of refinement impossible if printed by machine - and it’s this quality that makes each and every piece of Lucia unique.

MINDFUL MAKERS

Here at globetrottersiraconlineusa, we always work with manufacturers and suppliers whose values closely align with ours.

The artisans we worked with to create Lucia are employees of a fair trade manufacturer, located in Sanganer, Rajasthan.

They practice the traditional artisan hand block printing methods of Jaipur with a commitment to fair labour standards and improved environmental practices.

The environment is at the forefront of their hand block printing process.

They use AZO free, low impact dyes, free from harmful substances, ensuring sustainable use & treatment of water.

Designs are then printed onto Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton.

But with a shared passion for the planet our makers continuously work to improve their environmental standards,

aiming to further improve water filtration during the block printing and dyeing process.

Water is a precious and scarce due to the desert like conditions of Rajasthan and block printing requires a significant amount of water.

Being mindful of water consumption our makers have introduced the CleanWater4Artisans program.

This program uses funds raised to install rain catchment systems and solar panels, and they have designed and built an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).

The ETP cleans the water by filtering out the dye residue so that clean water can be recycled and re-used.

The ETP reduces water consumption by up to 80%.

One of the key reasons for globetrottersiraconlineusa moving to digital printing from screen printing was water consumption and the prevention of release of toxic dyes back into waterways.

But with this new sustainable move we can honestly say that we’re beyond happy to have found a way to embrace artisan block printing sustainably,

whilst managing to conserve water too!

INVESTING IN MORE THAN THE PLANET

There are so many environmental benefits of block printing on organic cotton.

No GMO seeds, toxic chemicals, insecticides or pesticides are used, protecting insect populations, biodiversity, soil health & farmer livelihoods.

Growing techniques use less water, reducing the impact of acidification of both land and water.

Manual and organic farming practices lower the carbon footprint and allow the renewal of the entire eco system in a sustainable way.

Using azo-free dyes means less chemical and grey water runoff into the environment,

plus toxic compounds ranging from chlorine bleach to known carcinogens such as aryl amines and heavy metals are avoided.

Printing by hand reduces energy consumption, thus reducing the carbon footprint of textile production.

Additionally the block printing process gives a means of livelihood to artisans by supporting their work and promoting small-scale decentralised production throughout rural India.

Through this collaboration the national heritage craft of India is preserved and promotes artisans’ access to markets at a global level.

From our bohemian roots it’s only natural that we should levitate towards slow and sustainable fashion that protects and supports both planet and people.

Every piece of Lucia is 100% sustainable so you can feel super special about that too 💞

Our Artisans - The Co-creators of Delilah

2019-10-24T14:27:00+11:00

DELILAH HAS BEEN 12 MONTHS IN THE MAKING, FROM DESIGN TO DELIVERY.

In a world accustomed to a chaotic, fast-paced life, where even climate change is accelerating – Delilah is an exception to the norm.

Today’s mainstream fashion, referred to as fast fashion, relies on globalised mass production

where garments are churned out from design through to delivery often in as little as 2-3 weeks. Sold at low prices, with customers overtly encouraged

to over-consume the detrimental impacts on people and planet are an expense that traditionally global retailers have been willing to bear.

~ TAKING THINGS SLOW ~

“The faster we live, the less emotion is left in the world. The slower we live, the deeper we feel the world around us.”

~ Stanko Abadžic.

The slow living movement is a lifestyle emphasising slower approaches to everyday life;

including our attitude toward food, fashion, work, business, relationships, money and so on.

And it’s not a new fad, or hipster trend.

Slow Food, a local food movement founded in 1986 to counter the rise of fast food in Italy,

thirteen years later became a philosophy for preserving cultural heritage and a way of life for towns and cities around the world.

The term ‘Slow Fashion’ was first coined by Kate Fletcher, from the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, when fashion was compared to the Slow Food experience.

Slow Fashion encompasses quality production, with a focus on sustainability, ethical manufacturing, a nod to preserving cultural traditions,

with small scale production in the hands of people who love what they do.

~ DELILAH HERALDS A RETURN TO THE ESSENCE OF ARNHEM ~

As a little girl, globetrottersiraconlineusa Bickley began sewing clothes for her dolls. From that, her love and passion for the handcrafting process grew.

Sourcing vintage pieces that she would customise by hand and machine in her garage, globetrottersiraconlineusa began to sell her tailor-made designs at local markets

- and so globetrottersiraconlineusa Clothing was born.

~ DELILAH EMBODIES THE ART OF SLOW ~

The Delilah treasures are beautiful, artisanal, hand-crafted pieces made by specialist female crochet-lace makers in India.

Each piece takes the artisan up to two weeks to create by hand and is born with a story and a soul.

By embracing the concept of co-creation our aim is to help to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations to come.

~ ARTISAN TRADITIONS ARE CULTURAL ASSETS ~

We were introduced by our makers to this incredible cottage-industry that operates from a village that sits on the banks of the Godavari River, in the West Godavri district

in Andhra Pradesh, India. It’s believed that the women of the rural farming communities in this region started creating highly attractive objects from colourful lace

more than 150 years ago. Preserving traditions passed on by generations, this cottage-industry enables women to work part, or full time from their homes.

~ WOMEN AS AGENTS OF CHANGE ~

Enabling women to stay at home, or work with others in their local village has not only preserved traditions,

but has made lace-making their primary means of livelihood.

At risk of being marginalised, by empowering women in rural coastal areas it has created a ripple effect,

as they invest back into their families and communities on multiple levels.

Artisans are engaged in exploring new concepts and ideas.

Supported and trained by master lace-makers who visit their homes and villages, opportunities to be included in the value chain

of global brands provides opportunities for growth, and stability of income.

We are committed to fair labour and environmentally friendly practices implemented across these value chains.

The creation of Delilah has a positive impact on so many peoples lives.

~ RESPECT & PROTECTION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ~

Sustainability is central to every decision made at globetrottersiraconlineusa.

Delilah is lovingly crafted from 100% organic cotton.

Whereas conventional cotton uses large amounts of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms

which are not only harmful to natural eco systems but farmers, makers and customers are also exposed to toxic chemicals.

The process of growing organic cotton has less environmental impact using sustainable methods; less water and energy is used and soil health is improved.

Water contamination is prevented and biodiversity is preserved.

Organic cotton is an environmentally and socially responsible alternative to conventionally grown cotton, and a safe for our artisans who create by hand.

~ INVESTING IN AUTHENTICITY ~

We believe in creating beautiful, timeless pieces for our customers with respect to people and planet.

From design through to delivery Delilah’s creation has been more than a year.

This slow and sustainable approach to design is something that globetrottersiraconlineusa cares deeply about.

Knowing who made your clothes is important for you too and sharing the journey is critical so that together we can drive lasting change in an industry we’re both invested in.

Together we can make fashion become more environmentally and economically sustainable.

Know that what you buy makes a difference 🌏💚

Meet Our globetrottersiraconlineusa Makers Family

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GARIMA - DELHI

Our Woven Maker in India is a family-run business, established in 2000 by Garima and her husband Darshan.

They specialise in beautiful, hand-crafted garments showcasing traditional Indian embroidery techniques in natural and sustainable fabrics.

We have been working with Garima and her team for nearly three years,

with our first shared project being our much-loved Amber Fox embroidered velvet jackets.

After a brief hiatus, we commenced working again with their skilful makers to produce our embroidered organic cotton collection, ‘Stevie’ in March this year.

We visited their Delhi based HQ at the beginning of 2019 and were inspired by their sustainability and social compliance initiatives, which include:

a roof-top community veggie garden, and partnering with local not-for-profit groups that work to support women entering the workforce.

Garima and her team share our passion for reducing our footprint on this planet through the conscious, and considered crafting of garments.

We've previously shared a beautiful story about the transformation that takes place in our makers local community,

through their partnership with the social enterprise SETU. You can read this story HERE.

MICHELLE & JACKY - DONGGUAN

Our Swim Makers Michelle and Jacky are a recent addition to our globetrottersiraconlineusa makers family.

Based in Guangdong, China, the husband and wife duo have been working together making high-quality swimwear since 2007.

Our swim line is crafted from ECONYL®: created by regenerating discarded plastic, fishing nets and fabric scraps into nylon.

The highly skilled team specialise in the intricate floral borders and print placements globetrottersiraconlineusa is known for.

Michelle and Jacky first brought our vibrant and colourful swim creations to life in 2018 with our popular ‘Ophelia’ swim collection.

With their focus on innovative and sustainable fabric, Michelle and Jacky share our aim to produce swimwear that doesn't wreak havoc on the wildlife in our oceans.

JASON - TONGXIANG

Jason is the longest standing Woven Maker in our globetrottersiraconlineusa makers family.

Searched out by globetrottersiraconlineusa in 2012, Jason has worked closely with us on most of our well-known collections,

including Primrose, Portofino, Spanish Rose, Abigail and Ophelia.

Jason runs a small-scale garment manufacturing unit in Tongxiang, China; a rural area approximately 2 hours drive from Shanghai.

Jason and his wife first opened their business in 2010. They specialise in delicate, soft and woven creations.

He’s our go-to for the intricate and often complex print placement designs for which globetrottersiraconlineusa is renown.

We visited their open, light filled working space at the beginning of 2019, where we met Jason’s skilled team

of craftspeople and the onsite cook - creator of delicious smelling fresh lunches for staff 🤤

Jason and his team share our love for recycling and reusing. In fact, he and his team’s repurposing of fabric off-cuts for pin cushions,

ropes for scissors and cushion covers, contributed to the inspiration behind our Revive project.

Our shared passion for moving towards a minimal-waste existence enables a mutual trust that guides actions, judgements, and choices.

ROSE - SHANGHAI

Rose is a new addition to our community of Woven Makers and is based in China.

Our Sustainability Co-Ordinator Jyoti introduced us to Rose and her team, who she had worked closely with over the past 8 years.

Rose and her husband have over 30 years experience in the fashion industry

and started their own manufacturing unit to cater specifically to the Australian fashion market.

On their recent visit to our Byron HQ, we bonded over a shared love for sustainable fashion and natural fibres.

The couple spoke about their passion for the world of fashion, and their hope to remain in the industry for a long time to come.

We saw Rose again and met the rest of her team on our recent trip to China. It was wonderful to meet the skilled team of pattern makers and tailors,

whose expertise we have to thank for bringing our beautiful Soriah, Lily and Ilona collections to life.

BERNARD - DONGGUAN

Bernard is our incredibly talented Knitwear Maker, based in China.

We were honoured to visit Bernard and his highly-skilled design team at their factory this year.

Specialists in intricate knits, they place a particular focus on lightweight knitwear suitable for our Australian climate.

High quality craftsmanship and excellence in garment production meant that Bernard was encouraged to start his own business in 2009.

We began working with Bernard in 2017 to create our Brooklyn, Taylor and cult Cardamon shorts and, more recently, our hand crocheted Lux cardigan.

Bernard is passionate about bold colours and patterns in sustainable fabrics, making him a perfect globetrottersiraconlineusa maker-match.

Having the right partners allows us to create results that would otherwise be unobtainable.

We are grateful to have grown as a family, with an incredible community of Makers whose values and work ethics align with our own ❤️

Ethical Dream Weavers

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How interwoven we are, this tapestry of humanity. The following story demonstrates this interconnectedness, and the impact of creating clothes in line with this understanding.

Some scene-setting: earlier this year, a few members of our production and sustainability team journeyed to India to visit our makers. The trip was born of a desire to foster a personal relationship with the makers; to gain a deeper understanding of their work and role within their community.

The wonderful makers sew some of globetrottersiraconlineusa’s dreamiest concoctions into life, and sew hope and transformation into the local community through their partnership with the social enterprise SETU. The makers provide employment opportunities, sewing machines and equipment to SETU, whose vision it is to transform the lives of the underprivileged through support and empowerment of children, families and the community. SETU achieve this vision by directing resources to health, rehabilitation, literacy and education to increase employability in areas such as pattern and garment making. This is in line with their belief in in the fundamental equality and right to equal opportunity of all human beings. SETU also offer counselling for women to support them through the emotional challenges associated with joining the workforce. The training and support leads directly to self-sufficiency and livelihood, and indirectly to new leases on life.

Which brings us to the lovely face pictured above, belonging to Reena - one of our makers. Her story is one of transformation, and comes with a will-stir-heart warning. Her late husband was a machine embroiderer and following his death, she came accompanied by a male relative to collect his possessions, after which she planned to head back to her village where she and her two children would have to depend on her parents to survive, since Reena had no experience or training that would allow her to gain employment. Instead, her late-husband’s employers offered to train her in stitching. A fast learner, Reena mastered sewing within three months, and her efficiency and competency equalled that of the other tailors within six months. Reena is now one of our supervisors, and her two children’s education is sponsored by the organisation.

Reena is pictured above working together with our Sustainability Officer, Jyoti.

For Reena and her children, ethical measures in the fashion industry are anything but abstract or inconsequential- such measures returned her life. Reena’s success inspired our makers to search for a partner to help them scale up the movement of female tailors, and this was how the partnership with SETU came to fruition. Reena’s an emblem for the tangible, transformative consequences of recognising and respecting the dignity of the people creating our clothes, and its stories such as hers that inspire globetrottersiraconlineusa’s ongoing dedication to ethical clothing production.

This compassionate and conscious approach also extends to the planet-the Stevie range is created from 100% organic cotton, meaning the sweetness being crafted here is of an environmentally sustainable nature. Conventional cotton demands extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. As a result, farmers, factory workers and consumers are exposed to toxic chemicals and natural ecosystems are harmed. In contrast, organic cotton preserves biodiversity, improves soil health, prevents water contamination and requires far less energy and water to produce. Our use of organic, sustainable fabrics protects precious ecosystems, and also means that Reena and her colleagues are not breathing in the harsh chemicals associated with conventional cotton. This is in accordance with the understanding that no one aspect of the supply chain can be considered in isolation- ethical treatment of the environment leads to ethical treatment of people, and vice versa.

And what imagination this kind treatment of people and earth lends itself to. Pictured below are offcuts from that sunflowery sweetness. Rescued and re-purposed, dancing in the breeze, beckoning onlooker’s attention to the local community market are the off-cuts of Stevie. This penchant for recycling is common ground between us; we salvage offcuts from previous collections so they may reincarnate as the most sweetest, wearable pieces. You can read more about the recycling wizardry otherwise known as our Revive collection here.

The community markets remind the globetrottersiraconlineusa team of the local Byron market, because although sights and smells differ, the same feeling of community, creativity and connectedness pervade, and global citizenry shifts from abstract idea to felt reality.

This story of clothing and opportunity creation is part of a larger, new story of which we’re all authors. It’s a story of connection to the earth; the life that grows from it and the hands that toil in it. globetrottersiraconlineusa’s devotedness to ethical and sustainable fashion is indicative of our belief in our ability to bring a new, more compassionate and conscious world into being.

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Stay tuned for more Meet The Makers Stories.