Flood relief: The Australian fashion and beauty brands helping those affected
IMAGE VIA @WORN.STORE/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
Every little bit counts.
Described as “one of the worst flooding events in living history”, towns in Queensland and New South Wales have been ravaged by weeks of an immense and catastrophic downpour. As thousands are forced to abandon their homes due to devastating floodwater damage, charities, communities and businesses are banding together to help those affected.
There is a multitude of ways you can help, regardless of where you are in the country. While there has been an influx of some food items, bedding and clothing, companies and individuals in Melbourne and Sydney are still looking for donations of medical products, gumboots, cleaning products and some toiletries. You can find more information about Melbourne donations here and Sydney donations here, including drop-off locations and high priority item lists.
For more fashion news, head to our Fashion section.
As explained in The Guardian, donating to charities or directly to flood-affected communities “is the most practical way to offer immediate flood assistance, particularly as the floodwaters begin to recede”. Major Australian charities like Red Cross, Vinnies and The Salvation Army are coordinating flood relief and emergency disaster support through online donations. Local recovery committees are also encouraging direct donations to foodbanks, SES and specific families affected.
After losing almost everything in the 2011 Brisbane floods, writer and academic Nicole George shared insights on what to do and not to do in an article for The Conversation. And as damaged towns start the long and arduous road to recovery, Australian fashion and beauty brands are implementing inventive ways to help these flood-stricken communities. To ensure we’re doing our part – and supporting those who do the same – below are some of the local labels working to support those affected.
Buongiorno
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Premium merch maker Buongiorno has collaborated with Northern Rivers artist Anjuna Kalleila Hartlieb to create a special charity tee. “When the government failed the spirit of community prevailed,” it reads. “Warm thoughts and soft hugs.” Working towards a goal of $20,000, all profits from the sales of the t-shirt will go directly to communities that have been heavily impacted by the floods.
Available for pre-order here.
Nagnata
One of the biggest issues with donations right now is finding dry, secure space to store mass amounts of items. Contemporary athleisurewear label Nagnata has offered up its Byron Bay storefront to house towels, toiletries, non-perishable foods, socks, underwear and bed linen. The team will be doing daily drops to local donation centres.
The brand has also just announced its limited-edition Art and Activism Tees; with 100 per cent of proceeds going towards Northern Rivers flood relief. Each tee is hand-dyed in Byron Bay using tie-dye and shibori techniques with local botanical ingredients.
Find more details here.
Gesture Eyewear
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Independent eyewear label Gesture will be donating 100 per cent of all profits this week to Northern Rivers communities. Get yourself a high-quality pair of gradient shades and help make a difference in the lives of those affected.
Shop for a cause here.
Worn Store
Byron-based label Worn Store make high-quality staples for the wardrobe and home. With community at the heart of her business, Worn founders Lia-Belle and Lotte are using their platform to collect donations, organise housing and raise money for Rebuild, the Norther Rivers flood relief fundraiser. Go to their page for different options on how you can help.
Find more details here.
For Artists Only
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Byron Bay women’s clothing store For Artists Only has teamed up with sustainable homewares and beauty label Plant and Prosper to collect, sort and pack donations in Clovelly. Note: from today until Wednesday, only medical supplies and vouchers will be accepted. After Wednesday, all other donations (see above) are welcome again.
Find more details here.
Imbibe
Beauty and wellness brand Imbibe is collecting, packing, sorting and distributing donations at its Byron Bay location. Founder Felicity is also looking for locals to volunteer their time in getting the collected goods over to evacuation centres.
Find more details here.
Mecca
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After working with Givit during the 2020 bushfires, Australian beauty giant Mecca has pledged to give $50,000 to the charity for flood relief. If you have the means, follow its lead by donating too.
Find more details here.
Little Company
Working between its spaces in Richmond and Byron Bay, health and beauty business Little Company organised a huge donation collection in Collingwood. Working alongside several Melbourne-based individuals and organisations, Little Company organised 38 pallets of medicine, cleaning supplies, toiletries and bedding to be driven to the Northern Rivers. Through gift cards, the group also raised just under $10,000.
Find more details here.
Thread Together
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Thread Together is a charity organisation that works to close the circular fashion loop by donating unwanted new clothing to flood-stricken communities. If you’re a clothing retailer (or you know someone who is), you can donate threads or funds using this form.
Find more details here.
Outland Denim
Working with Thread Together, Outland Denim is one of the Australian labels giving a selection of its unsold collection to those in need. The brand will also be supporting the organisation in organising and distributing the donated contributions.
Find more information here.
Soot the Label
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Byron-based label Soot is all about ‘injecting joy’ into the modern woman’s wardrobe (something we could all use a little of right now). For the next week, the brand will be donating 100 per cent of all profits to the Revive the Northern Rivers charity.
Shop for a cause here.
Carrie Case
Thoughtful phone case label Carrie Case has pledged to donate 100 per cent of its profits to Resilience NSW and Revive the Northern Rivers for 48 hours. You can choose from a variety of colourful biodegradable cases and utility lanyards.
Shop for a cause here.
Candice
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Melbourne lifestyle label Candice has created a limited-edition logo tee; with 100 per cent of profits going to QLD and NSW flood relief. All proceeds from the exclusive blue-and-white design will be going to Givit.
Pre-order your tee here.
For more ways you can help right now, head here.
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