The Social Studio (TSS), a Melbourne-based not-for-profit empowering young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, is launching a new bricks & mortar retail space at Collingwood Yards on December 9. For the first time ever, the team is also taking the retail store experience online to create a TSS e-commerce platform that will open the social enterprise up to a nationwide audience.
The concept behind both stores is to celebrate up and coming Bla(c)k, indigenous, people of colour and culturally and linguistically diverse creatives across a range of products including apparel, accessories, and lifestyle items. Alongside supporting makers from BIPOC and CALD backgrounds, the team’s retail stores will continue to create opportunities for refugee and new migrant youth through education and employment, as well as funding their NFP fashion school.
The retail stores will also stock TSS’ in-house label, produced from up-cycled materials that have been salvaged from landfill.
“We’re thrilled to be throwing our support behind some of the country’s most exciting, socially-conscious makers,” chief executive officer Dewi Cooke said.
“Our mission at the Studio is to celebrate and elevate the talents of diverse communities, and we hope that by creating this platform we will help to not only focus the spotlight on the incredible skills and talents of emerging BIPOC and CALD designers but amplify their stories and voices, too.”
TSS will be launching with designs from: REMUSE
Badaam North
Gammin Threads Bananalands Aneau Companion
Beit e’Shai Elnaz Ceramics Ovazania
Tagentyere Arts Centre Numbulwar Numburindi Arts
ULO and Asiyam, will be stocked in early 2021 and TSS plans to continue expanding its range to give more BIPOC and CALD labels a platform to showcase their work.
“I am so excited to be stocked with The Social Studio. Not only is it an amazing organisation that provides work experience and amplifies the design and entrepreneurial voices of creatives from BIPOC, refugee, and new migrant backgrounds in a fashion space that still has more work to do for diverse creative strategist inclusion, but it also provides these design minds an amazing space to manufacture, learn trade skills and exhibit products and wears.
… The minute I walked into the sunny courtyard of Collingwood Yards, passed by fellow creatives convening, discussing ideas, enjoying the atmosphere, saw the phenomenal manufacturing space and beautifully designed retail spaces of The Social Studio, I knew that this new concept store opening was going to be a very special one filled with great hope and promise for all,” says Tamara Leacock, Designer & Director of Remuse.
“Coming from a different culture, you can sometimes miss opportunities that are more obvious or more accessible to others. The Social Studio does a great job of opening up new doors for young creatives from diverse backgrounds, which keeps things much more interesting for audiences, too,” says artist, Olana Janfa.
www.thesocialstudio.org
The Social Studio Collingwood Yards
35 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Opening hours: Wed-Sat, 11.30am-5pm
