Woven Secrets - The ‘Wearable Stories’ Beginnings

Images: Eira Wolf (refugee) art printed onto silk

Gabby Sutherland is a compassionate woman who has dedicated her life to advocating for and uplifting under-represented communities. With an unwavering commitment to social justice, Gabby has fearlessly confronted the systemic injustices faced by refugees and other marginalized groups.

Driven by her passion for justice and her belief in the power of visual storytelling, Gabby took immense risks to embark on a daring mission to expose the truth about the torture and neglect endured by refugees detained in Nauru. Despite the risks involved, she smuggled a spy camera into the high-security detention camp, capturing the harsh realities of the extreme trauma faced by children, women, and men trapped there. Gabby knew that documenting these stories was crucial for future generations, ensuring that history would not forget the terrible suffering endured by these vulnerable individuals.

Inspired by the resilience, strength, and creativity of the refugee women she encountered in Nauru, she collaborated with a group of brave refugee women, who displayed unwavering determination in their pursuit of freedom for all. Gabby joined forces with them to courageously expose the truth to the world media. Gabby aimed to magnify their voices to reach a broader audience, so she launched the Designer Freedom project, printing the women's profound artworks of visual stories too confronting for the media, onto fabric, then crafting it into beautiful scarves, transforming their art into wearable pieces. She encouraged women in Australia to wear these scarves, becoming ambassadors for the stories behind them and holding the responsibility for sparking conversations about the plight of refugees detained by the Australian government in Nauru.

After their nine yearlong battles, her collaborating comrades gained freedom from their incarceration in Nauru. Gabby expanded her vision and founded the Sonder Studio Gallery, where she continued to utilize the power of art to create social change. In her relentless pursuit of change, she is currently working on a new collection of wearable art garments, beginning with printing the artwork of First Nations artists, then expanding to other under-represented groups, onto fabric, furthering her commitment to amplifying voices of under-represented people. The wearable art garments created not only tell powerful stories, but they are also made with consideration for the impact fast fashion has on the environment. Gabby cleverly designs the pieces to be adjustable in size, to accommodate changes in the body and to make sharing between friends possible, while utilizing the most sustainable natural materials available, including experimenting with new products as they become available. By intertwining storytelling, art, and wearable designs, she sparks thought-provoking conversations, challenges societal norms, and fosters a deeper connection between fashion and meaningful self-expression. Gabby's custom-made approach promotes inclusivity, celebrating the uniqueness of every individual and exemplifying how fashion can be aesthetically captivating while embodying ethical consciousness and social responsibility.

The ‘Cholena Series’ Sonder Wearable Stories Collection Unveiled:

A Collaborative Celebration of

Childhood Dreams, Art, Inclusivity and

Amplifying Under-represented Voices:

L to R: Cholena Drew Hughes, Nikita Fitzpatrick and Aunty Sharon. Modelling the ‘Cholena Series’ Sonder Wearable Art Fashion at 2023 NAIDOC Exhibition at Sonder Studio Gallery.

Within the welcoming space of Sonder Studio Gallery, Gabby had the privilege of meeting Cholena Drew Hughes, a First Nations artist. Drawn together by their shared passion for art, culture, and empowerment, Cholena became one of Sonder Studio Gallery’s First Nations Ambassadors. Cholena’s lifelong aspiration of turning her artwork into a fashion collection became a reality when hers and Gabby’s interest in fabric and fashion intersected.

Cholena’s love of fabric and fashion began with her grandmother’s creative endeavours. She fondly recalls stories of participating in her grandmother’s fabric, singlets, t-shirts and pillowcases painting activities. A smile, a tear and a laugh when Cholena tells tales of waking up with a half-painted face, inevitably well up in the loving, emotional recollections. Cholena cherishes the connections and the unbreakable bonds that are formed with family and enduring ties forged by engaging in creative activities that bridge generations.

Cholena chose her artwork Tribal Connections to be the first artwork to be printed on fabric and sewn into the stunning garments for the Wearable Stories project launch. Her artwork resembles a feeling of connectedness to family and the environment. A continuous flow of energy shared, continuous unity and strength. The two main symbols in the artwork are a celebration of differences, representing complimentary relationships, primarily between herself and her husband.

Together, Cholena and Gabby designed the first garment. They wrapped the fabric, printed with Cholena’s exquisite Tribal Connections artwork around Cholena, with Gabby sewing the pinned fabric at each stage of the process. Gradually, maintaining the integrity of the artwork, it slowly evolved into a stunning garment, becoming a batwing style top.

Cholena thoughtfully spoke of the transformation of her artwork and what it meant to her to share it with others as they were going about their everyday activities, rather than observing it from the quiet platform of a gallery. She recognised that some would glance, and others would curiously seek deeper understanding. 

Mimi Wears Vintage - Kristy’s Fashion Design Story

Meet Kristy, a passionate artist whose journey with sewing started back in her high school days when she delved into the world of Textiles and Design. Guided by her Nana's skilled hands until the age of fourteen, Kristy embarked on a self-taught path that would shape her artistic identity.

Although she always had an affinity for sewing, it was only after her relationship separation that provided her the time and space to truly immerse herself in her craft. She affectionately refers to it as "sewing therapy," a sanctuary she turns to when her two daughters aren't by her side. Kristy finds fulfilment with each immersive stitch she makes, using the vibrant hues, the beautiful prints, the soft natural fibres and the gorgeous patterns, turning pieces of cloth into tangible expressions of beauty.

Around thirteen years ago, a newfound fascination with op-shopping and thrifting ignited the spark for her business. The allure of vintage sheets, doona covers, and the timeless charm of grandma's florals became her creative playground. Sustainability became a driving force as the world started to think about shifting away from fast fashion, and Kristy found purpose in rescuing pre-loved, unloved and discarded fabrics, breathing new life into them.

What sets Kristy's creations apart is their history. The fabrics she works with have already woven tales as they adorned lives before being repurposed into wearable art. With each piece, a unique story unfolds. The challenge of problem-solving, where fabric size, pattern layout, and imperfections intertwine, fuels her artistic process. From conceptualizing garment designs to cutting and constructing, Kristy wears multiple hats, taking pride in every stage of the process.

Kristy's journey intertwines beautifully with the Wearable Stories project and women supporting women at Sonder Studio Gallery. Maintaining independence and integrity and continuing with her own unique Mimi Wears Vintage style and label, Kristy has teamed up with Sonder Studio Gallery’s Wearable Stories project. She will be selling her creations though Sonder’s online store (among other places) and will also add a few more hats to her range by creating pieces using the Sonder artist prints on hers and Gabby’s garment designs. Kristy’s understanding and sensibilities towards slow and sustainable fashion makes her a perfect fit.

Kristy's designs paint a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and vintage nostalgia. Her pieces pay homage to the styles of yesteryears while embracing contemporary sensibilities. Every stitch is infused with her love for the craft, every seam a testament to her dedication. And as she stitches, she not only weaves fabric but also the threads of her life, allowing her to spend precious afternoons and holidays with her girls. Kristy's artistry isn't just about the garments she creates; it's a heartfelt journey of love, growth, and the transformative power of creativity.