In the vast landscape of history, certain figures stand out as pioneers who paved the way for future generations. Vida Goldstein and Miles Franklin, two remarkable Australian women from the early 20th century, were not only trailblazers in their respective fields but also close friends united by a common cause. High Tees, the Australian apparel brand known for its commitment to celebrating iconic women, has drawn inspiration from this dynamic duo to create a unique collection of t-shirts and tote bags that pay homage to their enduring legacy.
Vida Goldstein, born on April 13, 1869, in Portland, Victoria, began her public career in the 1890s, assisting her mother in collecting signatures for the women's suffrage petition. Her journey took her to the International Women's Suffrage Conference in the USA in 1902, where she spoke passionately about women's rights. Goldstein's relentless pursuit of equality led her to run for the Senate six times, making her an internationally recognised figure in the fight for women's rights.
Miles Franklin, born in 1879, was not only a renowned member of the early feminist movement in Australia but also a close friend of Vida Goldstein. In 1901, Franklin made a lasting mark on literature with her groundbreaking novel, "My Brilliant Career," which explored themes of a woman's right to career and freedom. Franklin's commitment to empowering women transcended her literary contributions, as evidenced by her bequest to establish the Miles Franklin literary award upon her death in 1954—an award that remains the pinnacle of recognition for Australian literary excellence.
The synergy between these two extraordinary women serves as the inspiration for High Tees' latest collection, featuring portraits of Vida Goldstein and Miles Franklin on a range of stylish t-shirts and tote bags. The collection seamlessly blends fashion with a powerful narrative, encapsulating the spirit of these iconic women and their shared dedication to breaking barriers.
High Tees invites you to explore the collection, where each garment tells a story of resilience, courage, and friendship. The Vida Unisex T-shirt and Miles Women's Scoop T-shirt are not just pieces of clothing; they are tributes to the indomitable spirit of these two trailblazing women who left an indelible mark on Australia's history.
As you don these garments, you carry with you the legacy of Vida Goldstein and Miles Franklin—a legacy that reminds us all of the progress we've made and the work that still lies ahead in the ongoing pursuit of equality. Visit High Tees' website to explore the collection and embrace the empowering narratives woven into each thread.
Explore the Vida Unisex T-shirt here and the Miles Women's Scoop T-shirt here. Join High Tees in celebrating the stories of Vida Goldstein and Miles Franklin—two women who dared to dream and inspire.
]]>So what is a Social Enterprise?
Well its a type of business that aims to achieve social, environmental, and economic objectives by using innovative strategies to address social and environmental problems. Social enterprises can take many different forms, but they are all characterised by a commitment to creating positive social and environmental impact, as well as generating financial returns.
High Tees is a for-profit social enterprise. We use our profits to impact the causes we are most passionate about.
From day one, High Tees has had the mandate to "do good". A big and broad statement, we know. We were really clear on where we wanted to create an impact.
Sustainability goals were a given -
Entering the fashion space we were shocked at the things we were researching. The amount of waste, the pollution, the Fast Fashion addiction. Even though we have not ever really seen High Tees as a fashion item per se, a t shirt is a t shirt is a t shirt. We wanted to do better. So we ensure we cover all the dot points above.
Beyond the sustainability goals, we knew we could do more. Our founder, Jess, has been a passionate campaigner and advocate for Refugee Rights for over 20 years. Angry and dismayed at the Australian government's immigration policies and treatment of people seeking asylum, Jess has sought out ways to help ease the treatment of people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia where she can.
Jess then created a plan on how to do this.
High Tees to financially support amazing organisations that have a direct impact on the lives of people seeking asylum in Australia via donations through the sale of High Tees products. We partner with West Welcome Wagon.
Creating specific products designed to actively campaign and spread a message about the issue (hello Welcome and Kindness Tees). We also have supported ASRC by created our "Kids of Nauru" T shirt.
To become a direct employer and supporter of artists with an asylum seeker or refugee background.
While we haven't quite got to step 3 on a permanent basis just yet, but we are getting there.
We have partnered with local NFP, West Welcome Wagon now for 4 years. West Welcome Wagon are located in Sunshine, West Melbourne. A volunteer organisation, they provide material aid to people seeking asylum - household goods, clothes, toys, food, school items. They currently support over 3000 households.
Check out some of the volunteers wearing the WELCOME t shirt.
In addition to partnering with West Welcome Wagon, we also donate to Adam Goode's charity, The GO Foundation - an organisation that provides scholarships for indigenous students from primary to university. So any indigenous Icon we feature, a portion of the sale goes to The GO Foundation.
Our native animal range raises money for WIRES Wildlife Rescue.
Overall, High Tees is using business as a force for good, by promoting a social causes, actively campaigning and making a positive impact on both people and the planet.
We love that our designs and products can have an impact not only on the lives of our customers but also on the people who need it the most.
Check out our West Welcome Wagon Collection here.
]]>Yasuko Toda, Japanese Illustrator and Artists has joined the High Tees Artist in Residence. Now residing in Sydney, Yasuko is an emerging Artist on the Australian Art Scene.
Influenced by social issues, notably Climate Change, Yasuko creates clever illustrations that pack a powerful political punch. She has created these t shirts and tote bags as a way for you to wear your "daily protest" against the inaction of Climate Change.
"I'd rather be drawing than talking about myself" - Darelle Knight
See Darelle's work here
Tell us a bit about your creative process:
Work makes work, sometimes I take that quite literally. I keep all old unwanted work aside so if a new collection stalls, I revisit that discarded pile and see if anything is still relevant and able to be redistributed.
I like to play. I often pick materials on how they make me feel when I use them.
I work in what spaces of the day and night I can, this can sometimes be two or three different series at the same time. My focus and productivity works best when doing things I find interesting so unless something spills over into hyper focus I am at least tinkering away each day.
Most of the work I created the past two years has been due to a systematic and relaxing practice from the safety of the evening couch. I leave a pad of paper, compass, ruler, and a jar of coloured pencils there, at the ready.
Years ago I was at a job that consumed my life, leaving me exhausted and consuming unhealthy habits. I reclaimed my time, and self worth, by carrying a tiny sketchbook and black pen in my bag to sketch people on my commute (the backs of their heads so not to be confronting). By the time I finally left the job, I had filled 9 sketchbooks and a feeling of awe for how much you can achieve with just a little work each day.
I’ll often start studying a motif or a concept by devouring its information, drawing it over and over again, then thinking about it in relation to other motifs or concepts, and drawing it some more until it loosens and grows into something different and of its own and I can use it like a new word added to my vocabulary.
Why is Climate Action important to you?
Because I believe in doing the right thing.
Because I believe in science.
Because I trust people that work hard and strive for truth.
Because I watched Captain Planet everyday after primary school and to this day still strongly believe that looting and polluting is not the way.
Because I am living in an environment and have a responsibility to a) not be a dick to that environment and b) take action when I see someone or something being a dick to that environment - these are basic rules for being a human, not extremist.
Because I am an aunty and want a safe and healthy environment for the future.
Because I am a granddaughter and I want to be proud, not ashamed, of how the planet was cared for during my time on it.
Because I believe Climate Action is good for the economy.Because I believe there are already no-brainer actionable changes governments and businesses can make.
Because I believe in good winning over evil.
Because I believe the issue is complex and worth talking about.
Because I believe that even though I can have an opposing view of an issue to someone, we will still have something in common and if we speak respectfully and listen, there is much we can achieve and change can happen.
I am concerned with the divisiveness of society. I don’t think that is something new in humanity, but it is definitely more apparent in our homes and everyday lives due to the advancements in technology for social communication.
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Anna is one of the 4 emerging Artists in the High Tees Artists in Residence program.
Her t shirts feature a series of photographs of florals in varying shades of decay. Intricate detail, bold colour and clean lines.
]]>INTRODUCTING ANNA MCGRATH
'Hearing, Listening, Watching, Seeing'
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist working across many forms; directing and writing for film and theatre, curating exhibitions and community art projects, playing with ceramics and recording encounters with my everyday environment through sound, image and photography.
I have a Masters in Directing Film (VCA) and a Masters of Fine Art in Directing Live Performance (NIDA).
My films have screened at festivals around the world and I’ve directed theatre and live performances in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Paris.
I’ve been a resident artist at the Cité International des Arts (Paris, France) 2018-2019 and more recently at Arteles Creative Centre (Finland) 2022.
Even though I work across multiple disciplines there are common themes in my work;
I have a yearning curiosity, always chasing what remains unspoken, what words struggle to convey. I'm fascinated by our attempts to communicate, how words often fail us and what we rely on instead.
WHY HAVE YOU JOINED HIGH TEES?
The High Tees Artists in Residence Program is principally an opportunity to see my work adapted to novel forms.
Rather than art being constrained within a frame on a wall or on a phone or computer screen, the residency gives the chance to see how it might break out of traditional forms and take on a new life: printed on a t-shirt and worn on the chest of a person walking the streets of the world.
The chance to have my work transformed in this way is invaluable and I can’t imagine the thrill it will be to possibly see my work worn on the chest of a High Tees customer or gracing a tea-towel or mug in someone’s kitchen!
The program offers pragmatic business advice and training to encourage a sustainable arts practice - something that is sorely needed for the creative industry.
And I’m super keen to be working with and learning from the other resident artists. Too often we can feel isolated, squirrelling away at our work and often disconnected and lonely. The program gives us the chance to share and learn and laugh and collaborate, working on a common goal - creating a collection under the HIGH TEES umbrella and our combined efforts all directed towards the common theme of CLIMATE ACTION.
It’s going to be an exhilarating and educational experience and I’m grateful to be one of the inaugural HIGH TEES resident artists.
]]>As I looked through piece after piece after piece, I kept exclaiming "Ted, we need to put these on t shirts!!!". So the collaboration between High Tees and Ted McKinlay began.
Despite having to collaborate mainly via facetime and texts, we were able to pick out some fabulous designs and get them on our High Tees tees. When we could catch up in person, it was always a flurry of sketches and ideas, laughter and lots of inspiration.
I must admit, one of my most favourite days in High Tees was going to Myer with Ted and seeing our T shirts stocked in the menswear department. It was so exciting and lovely to share this moment with someone else.
And so this got me thinking... how can I bring in more artists into High Tees? How can I create something that is supportive, helpful and meaningful? How can I have more of these amazing moments? And ultimately how can I build High Tees?
So I have spent the past 6 months planning, strategising, creating, writing, rewriting, building and have a program that I am so excited to get going.
Now is the time to open the doors at High Tees and invite 4 amazing emerging artist into the halls.
Before we start talking about all the opportunities this program holds, right now I want to say a big THANK YOU to Ted for sparking the idea in the first place, for having an endless energy and verve for the practice of art, for trusting me with his art.
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This week has been a whirlwind. I was able to share the Welcome t shirt with Cate Blanchett, madly organising to have it sent to her in London. She is in London currently promoting her new TV series - 'Stateless', which is a series centred around an Australian Detention centre.
As many of you would know, Cate is a Goodwill Ambassador to the UNHCR and is a passionate advocate for refugee and asylum seeker rights - from addressing the United Nations and World Economic Forums to visiting refugees camps across the world.
She has very kindly shared this photo with me and I am thrilled to share it with you. She is very supportive of the work West Welcome Wagon does and encourages others to grab a t shirt so that we might be able to raise more funds to donate to West Welcome Wagon. She loves the message is sends. I also feel it is brilliant to see someone as famous and well known as Cate Blanchett offer her support to a local West Melbourne not for profit and local artist, me.
Since day 1, High Tees has had a mandate to donate a $1 for every t shirt sold to supporting asylum seekers. Last year, I donated to the ASRC and campaigned with them with the Kids of Nauru t shirt. This year I have supported West Welcome Wagon. I designed the Welcome T shirt to embody the values of West Welcome Wagon - togetherness, community, kindness and generosity. It is meant to be a positive statement.
I want to support asylum seekers because I am furious at our current and previous governments actions towards people seeking refuge on our shores. I am angry and disheartened. So I feel compelled to do something. This is what I can do!
ALL OF THE PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF THE WELCOME T SHIRT GOES DIRECTLY TO WEST WELCOME WAGON.
So if you would like to support West Welcome Wagon and give something back this Christmas, buy something that feels good to buy, then get yourself a WELCOME Tee.
Below is also a video from West Welcome Wagon CEO, Candice McGregor.
Just to let you know, last orders for Christmas delivery is 11pm Sunday 8th December for a Welcome T shirt (other products are the 13th December). You are still able to order after the 8th, we just cannot guarantee it will arrive before Christmas.
]]>Who could forget that moment when Cathy Freeman OAM crossed the finish line of the 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics in 2000? That victory lap with both the flags, that grin on the podium. It was a huge moment for Australian sport – not to mention Australian history. With multiple victories and medals at World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, Cathy truly is one of Australia's sporting heroes. She was ordained Young Australian of the Year in 1990 and Australian of the Year eight years later. Not only an athletic superstar, but an incredible advocate of education and champion of change for young Indigenous children, Cathy will remain forever in our hearts and minds as our Golden Girl.
We are thrilled to add Cathy to our collection. Available to purchase in both Cathy Freeman Adult and Cathy Freeman Littlies.
]]>What is organic?
Less than 1% of cotton produced globally is organic, which means most garments are made using harmful chemicals that are damaging to the environment. To be labelled organic, fabric must meet fibre production and processing requirements of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or be Australian Certified Organic (ACO). High Tees meets both criteria. For us, it’s really important that our values and ethics are reflected in each and every one of the High Tees we create.
Some reasons why we choose organic every time
Now you can feel even better about wearing your icon. Check out all our current designs here.
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