Melbourne Central collaborates with Clothing The Gaps to celebrate NAIDOC Week

Phoebe Blogg Published July 9, 2024 at 2.30pm (AWST)

fashion

Widjabul Wia-bal woman of Bundjalung Jagun, Ebony Popple at the Clothing The Gaps NAIDOC Week pop-up. (Image: Daijah Johns)

In honour of celebrating National NAIDOC Week, Melbourne Central is continuing its partnership with Aboriginal social enterprise, Clothing The Gaps.

The collaboration, focused on this year's NAIDOC Week theme, Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, marks the collaborations second consecutive year.

Melbourne Central's iconic Shot Tower will be illuminated with custom artwork created by the Clothing The Gaps team, reflecting their NAIDOC 2024 collection.

Ebony Popple (Widjabul Wia-bal woman of Bundjalung Jagun) at the Clothing the Gaps NAIDOC Week pop-up. (Image: Daijah Johns)

Designed to celebrate Indigenous identity, this collection has been designed to act as a reminder of the enduring strength and resistance of Aboriginal Torres Strait Island communities and the role of all people to keep the fire burning and continue the momentum of awareness and social change.

"Seeing our relationship with Melbourne Central grow to a take-over of the Shot Tower has been fantastic," said Gunditjmara woman Laura Thompson, Clothing the Gaps co-founder and CEO.

"We love seeing whole of community recognise NAIDOC week which is an important time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"We are proud to be an ally and show our continued support of First Nations communities.

Uncle Colin Hunter (Wurundjeri) performing the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. (Image: Daijah Johns)

Melbourne Central senior marketing manager Sara Aiezza, shared her excitement about being able to continue this partnership for yet another year.

"We are proud to be an ally and show our continued support of First Nations Communities and businesses like Clothing The Gaps," Ms Aiezza said.

"We are excited to bring this exclusive NAIDOC Week pop-up to Melbourne Central and provide our community with the opportunity to engage with and support First Nations businesses, not only during NAIDOC, but all year round."

To launch the pop-up, an exclusive preview event was hosted at Melbourne Central on Thursday 4 July with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by Uncle Colin Hunter, a performance from DJ Soju Gang and light refreshments from PAWA Catering.

Melbourne Central's iconic Shot Tower illuminated with custom artwork created by the Clothing The Gaps team. (Image: Daijah Johns)

Striving to create merchandise with a message that aims to unite people through fashion and create a cause for action that leads to social change, Clothing The Gaps is at the forefront of the First Nations fashion community.

Clothing The Gaps NAIDOC Week partnership with Melbourne Central is just one of the many ways the fashion industry is striving to positively increase its advocacy and partnership with First Nations brands and businesses both during and following NAIDOC Week.

Clothing The Gaps exclusive pop-up at Melbourne Central, located on Level 1, outside Sephora is open from 5 – 14 July.

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