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Sistagirls brand launched
by Jirra Lulla 25 September 2013
P
opular Aboriginal clothing label BROTHABOY has launched its long awaited SISTAGIRL range. Since Nyoongar man Andrew Taylor launched BROTHABOY in 2012, the brands popularity has grown exponentially, with sales coming from all corners of Australia and Aboriginal women have been asking; when will we have ‘our’ brand. Female fans of the BROTHABOY label have been calling for a range that showcases the independence, innovation and empowerment of the modern Indigenous woman. The wait is over. The SISTAGIRL range is available for purchase online and at selected retailers across the country. BROTHABOY has many high profile supporters, it has been adopted as ‘our’ brand by Indigenous AFL & NRL stars,
musicians, actors and other wellknown Indigenous men. There has been much anticipation to see which female celebrity will be the face of SISTAGIRL. But instead, the team at BROTHABOY decided to pay homage to everyday women who inspire and make us proud. “No doubt, there are so many beautiful, talented Aboriginal women in the media. Models, actresses and singers but behind all the glitz and the glamour, they’re all just Sistagirls too. And that’s what the brand is about.” “It doesn’t matter how you do it. It’s about being proud, connected and committed to your people; that could be by doing us all proud in the movies or on the catwalk or it could be by being there for your family and local community.” “We wanted to use this opportunity to showcase that spirit that so many of our sistas have and the amazing things they do but we don’t always get to hear about,”
says Andrew Taylor. A competition called for women who embody the spirit of what being a SISTAGIRL is all about. Community members were asked to show some love and nominate women who always give back to the people and community around them. The four SISTAGIRL ambassadors are Tatum, Monica, Minnie and Cecily. Tatum is a Yawuru, Jaru, Yindjibarndi and a Nyikina woman, as well as having Japanese, Chinese, Pilipino and Irish heritage. Her older sister Candice nominated Tatum and said, “Since graduating from the Police Academy, she is now representing our people and wants to inspire other young Indigenous youth to achieve their dreams and careers in any area they put their mind to. Being a young Aboriginal woman in the police force, this empowers all our Sistagirls.” Monica is a Yuin woman from Page 1
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Sydney, NSW. Her foster mum Helen nominated her and said, “Monica is a proud Indigenous person representing her people with dignity and strength of spirit. She has overcome enormous adversity in her life to become the person she Page 2
is today. She inspires me every day and in every single way!” Minnie is a Noongar woman from Perth. Her cousin Julie nominated her and said, “Minnie has worked at the Department of Indigenous Affairs
for about 7 years. She works as a mapping officer, helping keep Aboriginal sites sacred. I look up to her even though she’s my younger cuz. She always has my back, or anyone’s for that matter. She loves family and she embraces culture with all her heart and soul. She embodies everything it means to be a Sistagirl.” Cecily is a Darumbal woman from Sydney, NSW. Her colleagues at the Indigenous kids playgroup nominated her and said, “Cecily is a strong, supportive sista to her colleagues, her family and the whole local community. For a young Mum who has been through a lot of heartache and struggles, she has used her wounds as her wisdom and is now helping other women to realise their hopes, and to motivate them to do better for their children.” More than just a clothing brand, BROTHABOY is a not-for-profit social enterprise set up to benefit Indigenous people. It provides training in business and graphic arts to Indigenous school students, encouraging them to graduate and transition into successful careers. “It was just a hobby to start with,” says Andrew Taylor. “But interest in the product was so strong that I saw the opportunity to build it into something that could really benefit the Indigenous community, and to create something they’d be proud of. It was at this point I teamed up with ERECS; a Perth based non-profit organization with similar community goals. In partnership we established the BROTHABOY Social Enterprise.” “The brand doesn’t represent any one individual, it represents all our people. We want all Indigenous people to feel like the brand is part of them. That camaraderie, that spirit we all share is owned by everyone, so it’s only right that the brand is used to benefit the People.” Further information at brothaboy. com