Innehållsförteckning för Issue 58 - Winter 2023 från Peppermint Magazine

Tell us about the We the Makers Sustainable Fashion Prize… This is a brilliant opportunity for emerging designers as not only do they have the potential to win one of the cash prizes, the finalists will also be part of a curated group exhibition at the National Wool Museum. What makes this an ideal venue for the prize is that we are able to provide some of the historical context for how and why the garment industry has gotten to this abysmal state. The National Wool Museum does not shy away from difficult aspects of the Australian wool industry’s history while we champion the more recent innovations. It’s vital that people know about how, why and where their clothing is made and how quickly some of the changes we have…

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU Beloved for its sustainable kitchen and lunchbox solutions, Byron Bay’s Seed and Sprout is turning its attention to skin. The new Without Skincare range – a serum and moisturiser alongside hydrating and exfoliating masks – is clinically proven, palm-oil free, packed with skin-loving ingredients like Kakadu plum and squalane, and made with a base of aloe vera rather than water. seedsprout.com.au YOU GLOW GIRL Dull is done for with the new Instant Glow Skin Tint from Lük Beautifood. Light and breathable, the sheer formula contains nourishing active botanical ingredients and buildable mineral pigments, matching many skin tones for a smooth, “lit from within” look. Made in Australia and packaged sustainably, it’s your new glow-to! lukbeautifood.com BUSH MAGIC Warumungu and Luritja woman Melissa Cole launched Yaye (which…

WHEN YOU HOLD A MIRROR UP TO LIFE, THERE IS A KIND OF absurdness or comedy to it all AND I WANT TO CAPTURE THAT WITHOUT GETTING TOO EXISTENTIAL IN THE PROCESS. When did art and creativity come into your life? I can’t really remember a time when creativity wasn’t in my life! My favourite book as a child was from a children’s encyclopaedia set we had growing up. It was called Make and Do and I was obsessed with it! I would spend hours poring over and making projects from that book. I often think about it as the thing that ignited my interest in crafts and making. Throughout my childhood, I learned to sew with my mum, learned screen-printing and photography with my dad, and art was always…

THE ROZELLE SLIP A pattern collaboration with Stitched for Good Slip into something a little more comfortable with our latest pattern, the Peppermint Rozelle Slip! Made in collaboration with Stitched for Good’s Annie Robinson, the Rozelle Slip is a bias-cut beauty – a sophisticated slip dress with wide-set straps to support those whose busty bounty cannot forgo the support of a brassiere. Gathers in the bust and smart darts in the back create a shapely, self-lined bodice, and the bias-cut skirt drapes like a dream – vary the length of your skirt to go from date-night diva to preppy picnic perfection. Just whip up the invisible centre-back zipper and va-va-voom your way to carefree elegance. Many thanks to our sewing partner Spoonflower for helping to make our much-loved patterns possible!…

ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS Make time for a visit to the vibrant gallery, cafe and retail space of Aboriginal Bush Traders. The not-for-profit directly supports local Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led art centres through the sale of ethically sourced and sustainable wares including carvings, weavings and paintings, delicious pantry items, skin care and bush medicines, plus funky fashion and homewares. >> 4/19 The Mall, Charles Darwin Centre Aboriginal art centres and galleries OUTSTATION GALLERY outstation.com.au PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY pauljohnstonegallery.com.au LAUNDRY GALLERY laundrygallery.com.au MARRAWUDDI ARTS AND CULTURE marrawuddi.com.au (PICTURED ABOVE) TIWI DESIGNS tiwidesigns.com INJALAK ARTS injalak.com STARWIN A profit-for-purpose enterprise, this women-led business was the first to become B Corp certified in the Northern Territory. Visit their Darwin shopfront to become part of their kindness economy, supporting makers and career pathways for First Nations…

HOW TO THINK LIKE A PHILOSOPHER Julian Baggini In these unprecedented, uncertain times full of discourse, disinformation and disaster, it feels hard to think positively, proactively or even think at all. Julian Baggini turns to the study of reason for practical solutions to the present with this invitation to the habits of good reasoning. Drawing from philosophers past and present, the book offers 12 key principles to create a more humane, balanced and rational approach to thinking. WASTELAND Oliver Franklin-Wallis Where do things go when we throw them ‘away’ and what happens to them when they get there? Journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis answers these questions and more as he takes us on an engrossing journey into the waste industry. Full of hair-raising facts and humanising tales about the people on the…

BONNIE HISLOP Ceramicist Ceramics can be a very solitary art form if you let it be, so I’ve always placed high importance on real-world interactions throughout my career. For me, it’s a key part of continuing to grow as an artist, and to form genuine connections with others who enjoy the medium. ASHLEY BAXTER Monty Compost Co founder I’m constantly seeking out people who share my values, whether it’s climate action or composting. Community is what grows out of building, maintaining and nourishing connections with those people. SUE-CHING LASCELLES Textile artist For me, community is people and togetherness, but also sharing. Sharing time, passions, knowledge or place. We all know that sharing is caring and I think that’s especially true of any community. RACHAEL SARRA First Nations artist Community to…

I’ve been reading Peppermint for a little while now and just received my first subscription, which I’ve been eagerly waiting for since being gifted it for Christmas. The article ‘Take Heart’ made me tear up. As a person who wears her heart on her sleeve and has absolutely no poker face abilities, I love that there are people who recognise that a smile, a hug or a heart – anonymous as it may be – do make a difference in people’s lives. It’s the small things that keep us going when it can all be so topsy-turvy. – Lauren In Issue 57, the article on smells resonated with me. I’ve always had a strong sense of smell, but after reading this article, I’ve quite literally been stopping to smell the…

Tell us a bit about your relationship with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation… As a proud Kuku Yalanji and Wakaman woman and creative myself, it was an easy yes from me when the foundation asked me to return this year as their community ambassador. Collaborating with the foundation means I can shine a light on the amazing First Nations talent coming from some of the most remote regions across Australia. I’m so grateful that this role has allowed me to give back to the community and other Indigenous artists, designers and creatives. What does the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) mean to you personally having grown up in Darwin? DAAF holds a very special place in my heart. Although I was quite young when the first fair took place…

For those living in a society determined to villainise and marginalise fat people because of an arbitrary beauty standard, reclaiming the word and letting it shed its negative connotations is powerful and liberating. Fatphobia, if you’re not familiar with the term, is the fear and hatred of fat bodies. It is a form of discrimination that equates fatness with inferiority, undesirability and immorality and results in a plethora of damaging mental and physical consequences for fat people. And yet, in many ways, it remains a socially acceptable form of discrimination – fat people are still the butt of the jokes in film and television, as well as in comedians’ routines, and casually mocked in the street. According to one 2018 survey, more than four in five UK adults believe fat…

Bob Brown shows no signs of slowing down. At 78 years old, he has a bag packed and tent ready to set up camp in the Tarkine to block the path of bulldozers; he’s sailing with Sea Shepherd to combat the overfishing of krill in Antarctica; he’s planning a new book; and now, he’s a movie star with the release of biographical documentary The Giants. “I’m not so much interested in my past history; I’m always looking forward to the future,” says Bob. Characteristically self-effacing, he shares top billing with “the biggest living creatures ever on the planet”, the ancient eucalypts, huon pines and myrtles of the Tasmanian rainforests, which make up the other eponymous giants. The film reveals many fascinating facts about the nature of trees and their place…

We do ourselves a real disservice by thinking that people who have the same identity as us are our community. Community is created; it is built. It is formulated over time, through trust and action and by living in unbridled joy. Gender is a bit like clothing – some of us are very intentional with the clothes we wear. We have a lot of identity wrapped up in them. We think about aesthetics and design. Others treat clothes mechanically: “What can I put on my flesh prison today?” Similar to clothing, we have normalised gender conformity in our modern lives. Because we have normalised the gender binary so deeply, we don’t even realise that we are performing gender. We don’t realise that we are subscribing to gender norms. We don’t…

We’ve allowed our cemeteries to be totally suburbanised. They’re becoming drive-throughs for direct cremation. I see a lot of potential for making things tangible and giving time for things, giving slowness. Death and what we do with our bodies is a universal, environmental dilemma. It’s also an emotional and complex topic. The ways we approach death and the rituals surrounding it are as diverse as the eight billion people on this planet. But there’s a growing movement to rethink death care in Australia and create more sustainable and meaningful options for end-of-life arrangements. Rather than blanketing the landscape in concrete and marble while our bodies take hundreds of years to decompose below, what if – in the end – we put Mother Earth first? What if we could combine the…

The tote bag is a modern marvel. No matter how many you may have, it’s hard to resist their siren song. This capacious craft project is a nicely over-sized tote with exposed bound seams to add a bit of spice, and an internal pocket to keep your essential essentials in. WHAT YOU’LL NEED 1m of heavyweight fabric that has some stiffness and body to it (we used The Fabric Store’s 11oz Upcycled Denim in Natural) 6m of statement bias binding (we used handmade scrap bias binding, which is a great way to use up even the smallest parts of your remnant pile, but store-bought double-fold 12mm bias binding will work just as well) Tape measure Fabric marker/chalk Pins Scissors Sewing machine Iron LET’S GET MAKING! Cut two rectangles from your…

How did Stitched for Good come about? In 2017, I left my job and moved out of the city and back to the country. In between part-time jobs, I started a custom dressmaking business, followed by a fashion label, which I continued for the next four years. Although I did love what I was doing, I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to pursue. During a 14-day self-isolation period in the thick of the pandemic, I spent time working out exactly what I loved most about making a garment, and what I could give back with the knowledge I had. I love patternmaking and being able to wear something that’s uniquely mine and say, “Thanks, I made it.” That’s how Stitched for Good was created. I want to encourage more…

CHARLIE’S OF DARWIN Enjoy a classy cocktail from the comfort of a chesterfield lounge or sit back and enjoy the view of the beautiful Raintree Park as you enjoy the rich and diverse flavours of the Northern Territory sourced from local markets and GoodFish-accredited suppliers. Taste a tipple of their signature Darwin gin, made in their in-house distillery using Kakadu plum, water lilies and native lemongrass or snack on crocodile dumplings and kangaroo spring rolls. >> 56 Smith Street, Darwin FAT TUNA A laid-back lunch spot in the heart of Darwin, Fat Tuna is committed to serving the “best salads around”. Their heaping bowls of fresh and hearty fare balance nutrition, flavour and textures to create dishes that are as delicious as they are nourishing and served at speed. Dine…

SEEN Yumi Stynes talks to trailblazing Aussies about becoming role models without having any, the importance of diversity, and being “seen”. CONSCIOUS CHATTER A sustainable fashion podcast where host Kestrel Jenkins dives into what we wear and why it matters. THE POLYESTER PODCAST A feminist pop culture podcast, pulling apart the #discourse, hoping to bridge the gap between URL cyber-feminism and IRL issues. RICH BLAK WOMEN Rich Blak Women explores the unique economic inequities First Nations women face, and seeks to empower financial wellbeing through stories. HERE’S THE THING, THO WITH SOALIHA Decolonise your mind with Soaliha Iqbal, as she discusses politics, pop culture and capitalism.…

It might be time for Henny Penny’s redemption. Throughout history, the hysterical hen, also known as Chicken Little, has been written off for inciting panic. While our mis-guided feathered friend brought about a fateful end to themself and their woodland creature crew, I have to admit I feel a sense of solidarity with poor Henny. Why is everyone not running around squawking that the sky is falling? We certainly have more proof now than an acorn to the head. Everywhere you turn is evidence of the climate crisis and the escalating emergency (unless you follow certain media outlets that may be more aligned with Foxy Loxy). Floods, fires, droughts, heatwaves, food security… the ever-terrifying list goes on. It’s a lot. So much so that it can be easier and less…

DOOPS, THERE IT IS! Searching for the perfect fabric for your next magnificent make? Feast your eyes upon the playful, quirky and colourful offerings from Doops Designs! Textile artist Jane Newham dreams up these delightful designs in the Byron Bay hinterland and then has them digitally printed with water-based and solvent-free inks. Favouring natural and organic fabrics like linen, cotton and silk, the latest Doops drop bursts with bountiful bouquets of flowers, rainbow confetti polka dots, cute kitty cats and wonderfully wriggly lines. The hardest part? Choosing the design you love the most! doopsdesigns.com COUNTING ON YOU Fed up with inconsistent sizing and having to buy ‘best of a bad bunch’ smalls, Margot Balch and Maria Golushko harnessed their wealth of e-commerce and tech experience (Margot helped to found The…

“But I’m going to learn.” It was a commitment I made with verve – boldly, and hiding the slight embarrassment I felt to be almost 30 without the basic know-how to mend a loose button. Despite many opportunities, I never picked up the ol’ needle and thread. Textiles had been an elective at school – I preferred to spend home economics in the kitchen making, and then eating, lemon meringue pie. My great-grandmother was a seamstress during the war – sadly, no wholesome matriarchal-learning stories here. Hell, I even work at Peppermint – the home of style, sustainability, substance and sewing! One could argue it was a classic case of millennial ennui. That I had the privilege of financial security and could afford a tailor to hem my pants. There…

A recent study from the Biological Conservation reports significant recovery in 29 subspecies that are no longer classified as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act – our esteemed class of 2023 and a salute to long-term conservation efforts. MURRAY COD One of the largest freshwater fish in the world, the carnivorous Murray cod is an apex aquatic predator in the rivers of the Murray-Darling basin. These bad boys can live over 75 years and grow over 100 kilograms! Excessive overfishing put the Murray cod in a spot of hot water but thanks to decades of fishing regulation, captive breeding and translocation, they’re splashing into the safe zone! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS The black-browed albatross, presumably named because old-timey scientists couldn’t recognise a fierce winged eyeliner look when they saw…

It’s about developing a mutual empathy for each other – customer to maker and back again. THE CHURN ROOM 38 Williams Street, Dayboro Much like creativity, churning butter is a transformative process. Taking something from one form, reconceptualising and recreating. So it makes sense that a retail space focused on the creative heart of artisanal skills and the “values of days past” has found its home in a historic butter factory. While creativity is the raison d’etre here, The Churn Room at the old butter factory in Dayboro is ultimately about reconnection. “It’s a way [for makers] to find the people who they might otherwise not have met behind the closed doors of their private making spaces. It gives them the opportunity to engage with people to express the story…

The first present my grandmother Helen gave my grandfather Theo, which he received in the post for his 17th birthday, was two knitted vests and a knitted cardigan. “The first thing I thought was, ‘How long does it take to make three? Three!’” Grandad recalls. He’s almost as astonished now as he was then. My nanna tells me she didn’t plan to make so many: “I just kept on knitting them. I didn’t say, ‘I’m going to make three.’” She “just” started and then she “just” kept going. “In Guyra, what else do you do? You just keep knitting,” she says. If Theo had doubted Helen’s affection, the present would have given her away. But Grandad says he knew she was sweet on him from the day they met. It…

The return to a home sewing culture is incredibly important, and the pandemic really reaffirmed the need for us to be more self-sufficient and to reskill in the crafts that have been slowly dying in the wake of cheap fast fashion. Tell us a bit about the origins of Sapling Textiles… Sapling Textiles came to life 10 years ago in a building that had been a drapery for well over half a century. At the time we had another business, The Industree, across the road, selling Indian clothing, home furnishings and jewellery, and customers would ask us if we could acquire bolts of printed cotton from India. We knew the interest and the need were there, and when we heard that the old drapery was closing down, we decided to…

How did you fall in love with cooking? I first fell in love with cooking when I was three years old and started to find makeshift ingredients to mix together. At around five, I set up my mud kitchen where I spent hours creating mud pies and all kinds of creations with dirt and leaves! There, behind the woodshed, I could lose myself in the creative flow and in the joy of sharing my process with an imaginary camera crew. Growing up in Western Australia on a 100-acre bush block was a very beautiful and grounding experience that I'm lucky to have had. I was able to have many pets, including a rescued bobtail lizard, five rescued baby lambs and many more animals, all of which I loved and cared…

EXTRAPOLATIONS Scott Z Burns From Meryl Streep and Edward Norton to Daveed Diggs and Sienna Miller, a cast so studded with stars it’s impossible to list them all come together in Extrapolations. The Apple TV+ drama follows eight interwoven tales of love, work, faith and family on a planet in danger, and explores a near future where the effects of climate change have become embedded into our everyday. Who will stand up to save the world? Our bet’s on Meryl. ASKING FOR IT Jess Hill In this three-part doco-series from SBS, journalist Jess Hill wades into the national conversation about the epidemic of sexual violence impacting millions of Australians in schools, universities, aged care and institutions. Exploring the sexual revolution we’re living through, one that’s seeking to transform rape culture…

POP-UP DINING, VARIOUS LOCATIONS What is Fervor? Fervor is a roaming restaurant. We focus on local and specifically native Australian ingredients to host degustation experiences reflecting each region – travelling extensively to share our ingredients, their unique story and importance with the world. Whatever the experience is for each person, we hope it is grounded in forming and appreciating new connections – with people, place and country. How do you work with the land and its people to shape these experiences? I spent a year travelling abroad, working in some of the top restaurants. A common theme in many of these restaurants was using ingredients local to their region, which got me thinking – why don’t we utilise more Australian ingredients in our cooking, and why don’t I know of…