peppermint magazine - style, sustainability, substance

Spring Issue 55

Celebrating phenomenal women • Life tapestries with Atong Atem • The story of scars • Farming as activism • Suit yourself with Anna Cordell • Daile Kelleher’s fight for reproductive justice • Feminism and the sewn-in pocket • Gardening for good • Three sewing and craft DIYs • Hemp and the future of fashion • Long lunching with Twamley Farm • Art of the heart with Chiharu Shiota •

Buy now

A print magazine about style, sustainability and substance

Buy a subscription

The Stitch Up – These September Makes are Sew Good

Ah, September. The month when it starts occurs to us all that we’re starting to run out of year once more. A busy time...

By the Book: Six Stitchy Reads for Sewing Fiends

Are you a sewist with space on your bedside table simply longing for a book to fill it? Are you...

You be the Judge… Voting for The Circle Awards People’s Choice Category is Open

Launched in 2021, The Circle Awards recognise and celebrate the businesses, organisations, projects and people who are creating a...

Everyday Endeavour: A Simple, Slow-Cooked Dinner to Wind Down Your Day

Enchanted by the connection and care she witnessed from her own naturopath as a teen, after studying naturopathy at...

A Seat for Everyone: How Brisbane Fashion Week is Flipping the Narrative

Star-studded front rows, eye-wateringly expensive couture and lavish parties – fashion week the world over can often seem like an...

Purls of Wisdom: The Transformative Powers of Two Sticks and Some Yarn

Inside the pages of Issue 54, you may have spotted a free knitting pattern – the beautiful and beginner-friendly dipped-sleeve...

Trash Talk – What’s Stopping You From Composting?

What’s stopping you from composting, huh? Lack of space? The smell? Mess? Can’t get enough of store-bought fertiliser? The humble...

Nice Rack! Karishma Kasabia Felt Unseen by the Fashion World… So She Started Her Own Label

At the risk of stating the obvious, the clothes we wear matter. And not just in the sense of sartorial...

“We Can Create a Better World”: Young Activists Gather for Climate Justice

Was there ever any doubt that the younger generation truly is our future? As seas rise, coal burns and politicians...

So You Want to be a Citizen Scientist? Why Not Forge a New Relationship with Fungi

Esteemed mycologist Keith Seifert loves fungi. And fair enough. They’re essential to life on Earth...

Nice Rack! In the Swim with First Nations Designer Liandra Gaykamangu

At the risk of stating the obvious, the clothes we wear matter. And not just in the sense of sartorial...

The Sewing Detective Investigates: The Case of the Tomato Pincushion

Welcome back sewing sleuths! We regret to inform you that there has been a terrible stabbing. Thousands upon millions of pins...

Life-changing moments can happen to any of us, at any moment. But it never has to be the end of the story.

– JARRAD SENG, ISSUE 55

Open

We could not have been prouder to hear recently that our Issue 52 cover was awarded a Highly Commended nod in the Mumbrella Publish Awards’ Cover of the Year category. It's no easy feat to have diversity and inclusivity be recognised amongst the mainstream landscape, so we are over the moon! 🎉🌙⁠
⁠
As our gorgeous model @faeforestfairy said, "Representation saves lives. If fat people can see themselves just existing happily in the media, we can start just existing happily in our lives."⁠
⁠
Our hats go off to everyone involved (including our own team and @kelleytakesphotos for the shots!), from @ForagedAndFleurs for the gorgeous flowers, to @ABCH.World for the dress and to @Lush_AusNZ for helping us create the ultimate ‘pond’ vibe using bathbombs no less. And of course huge love to @faeforestfairy for doing such a stellar job while floating in a blow-up kids pool!⁠
⁠
@Mumbrella_Aus #MumbrellaPublishAwards2022 #MumbrellaPublishAwards #SustainableFashion #BodyPositivity #RepresentationMatters #PeppermintMagazine

Open

Clear your closet for cash and score some premium pre-owned threads with SWOP Clothing Exchange, the savvy second-hand clothes exchange. Brisbane’s local SWOP is located on Boundary Street in West End, in a large and airy space (recently refurbed by local architecture firm, Five Mile Radius) filled with neat racks of rainbow bright, colour-coordinated clothes of the utmost quality. You can bring in your own bundles of retired garb for appraisal by their in-store merchandisers, but beware: their standards are high, which reflects in the quality of their stock.⁠
⁠
Want to stop, shop and swap? @_SWOP is just one of the many shops in our Brisbane Sustainable Shopping Guide! Head to the link in our bio to see the rest and to add the Google Maps list to your phone!⁠
⁠
#PeppermintSustainableShoppingGuide #SustainableShopping #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #PeppermintPartner #Brisbane #ShopBrisbane

Open

“Why do the fortunes of women’s pockets wax and wane so dramatically while men’s remain? The gendered baggage that pockets carry – or don’t if you’re a woman – is quite complex. Some suggest privacy as a factor – if women have a personal space of concealment, it’s hard to monitor or control what they might use it for. Others focus on autonomy – the more essentials you can carry on your person, the easier it is to negotiate public spaces and travel freely on your own.

“The most obvious answer – and the one that explains the modern pocket drought that prevails even now women have largely earned the freedom to hold their own things and travel where they will – is objectification.

“At the risk of oversimplification, men’s fashion prioritises utility while women’s fashion prioritises beauty. In other words: it’s more important for the en vogue silhouette of a woman’s body to be clearly created or revealed by her clothes than it is for these clothes to be practical or comfortable. Celebrated fashion designer Christian Dior quipped in 1954 that ‘men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration’.

“Women’s clothes, and indeed, our bodies, are to be looked at, not lived in.”

In our latest issue – out now! – Peppermint’s own Bonnie Liston looks into the true history of the sewn-in pocket and finds it is filled with subversion and sexism. Grab a copy today to read more.

#PeppermintMagazine #SewersOfInstagram #MeMade #Sewcialists #SlowFashion #SewingLove #MakeItYourself

Open

BEHIND THE SCENES 👀⁠
⁠
Obviously, each Peppermint photoshoot is carefully planned down to the last shoelace, but – as much as we’d like to – we just can’t control everything. And during our recent shoot for the West End Jacket, unforeseen circumstances meant we found ourselves missing a second model. What could the intrepid Peppermint team do except turn our hand to some impromptu model scouting...⁠
⁠
Luckily, strolling past our location at that very moment was model-in-the-making, Nesta. While they were just out enjoying an iced coffee and an afternoon walk, the Peps team saw POTENTIAL! We stopped Nesta and, in slightly panicked tones, explained our situation. In a modelling miracle, they agreed and within five minutes were ready for their close up. ⁠
⁠
Unexpectedly plucked from the streets, could Nesta pull it off? We think the photos speak for themselves! They worked the angles like a professional and lit up the room with a fantastic smile and an abundance of natural talent. The course of a Peppermint photoshoot might not always run smoothly, but it’s certainly interesting! ⁠
⁠
Huge thanks have to go to our professional model Nasra, who graciously shared her knowledge with Nesta and made the whole day easier, and to all our West End friends including @OpenHouseWestEnd @JetBlackCatMusic and @BOSCWestEnd, who opened their spaces to us. And finally, the biggest 👏 to Nesta, our modelling superstar. The camera loves you and we do too! ⁠
⁠
The West End Jacket, made in collab with @CamiMadePatterns, is available for download right now. Head to the link in our bio to download the pattern now and see more photos from the shoot. We can’t wait to see YOU model your creations – don’t forget to tag #PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintWestEndJacket to share your makes!⁠
⁠
Photos: @KelleyTakesPhotos⁠
Models: @nasrraaa39, @parenkim⁠
Fabric: @Spoonflower, printed with designs from @Melly_Williams_Studio, @EstherFallonLau and @CarrieCantwellArt.⁠
⁠
#FreeSewingPatterns #SewersOfInstagram #FreePatterns #MeMade #Sewcialists #SlowFashion #SewingLove #MakeItYourself⁠

Open

One man’s trash becomes another man’s treasure at the Reverse Emporium, a gallery space and gift shop located within @reversegarbageqld Woolloongabba warehouse – where the weird and wonderful wares are made from waste! A myriad of materials, from timber and scrap metal to textiles and salvaged odds and ends take on new life as beautifully crafted art, jewellery, accessories, furniture, homewares, gifts and trinkets. Reverse Emporium has over 30 local artisans on consignment and is always looking for more, as long as the work is made up of at least 75% salvaged materials (preloved, reused, reclaimed or upcycled).⁠
⁠
Ready for a treasure hunt? @reversegarbageqld is just one of the many shops in our Brisbane Sustainable Shopping Guide! Head to the link in our bio to see the rest and to add the Google Maps list to your phone!⁠
⁠
#PeppermintSustainableShoppingGuide #SustainableShopping #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #PeppermintPartner #Brisbane #ShopBrisbane

Open

Ah, September. The month when it occurs to us all that we’re starting to run out of year once more. A busy time – statistically it’s the month most jam-packed with birthdays, we’ve got to remember the twenty-first night for Earth, Wind and Fire, and we’ve got to set an alarm to wake up Green Day when it ends. ⁠
⁠
But we’re never too busy to keep an eye out for the fabulous #PeppermintPatterns made by our society of sewists! You are always surprising and delighting us with your incredible creations so at the link in our bio we’ve put together a roundup of some of the most marvellous makes we’ve seen this spectacular September. If you want to show off your sensational sewing, be sure to tag us in your posts and you might see yourself in The Stitch Up in months to come!⁠
⁠
📸 A brilliant #PeppermintBardonDress (made in collaboration with @ElbeTexiles) by @AlexiPauls! ⁠
⁠
#PeppermintMagazine #FreeSewingPatterns #SewersOfInstagram #FreePatterns #MeMade #Sewcialists #SlowFashion #SewingLove #MakeItYourself

Open

Open

Are you a sewist with space on your bedside table simply longing for a book to fill it? Are you going on holiday and need an engaging read to distract you from the pain of being separated from your sewing machine? Or are you simply a voracious reader with a passion for fashion?⁠
⁠
It can be hard to search for “sewing books” without being inundated with pattern collections and technique textbooks (not that we don’t appreciate them, in their place) so we’ve put together a curated collection of books that are actually books – fiction and non-fiction – for the edification and enjoyment of sewing enthusiasts. Head to the link in bio or recommend us a read below! ⁠
⁠
#SewersOfInstagram #MeMade #Sewcialists #SlowFashion #SewingLove #MakeItYourself

Open

In need of some mid-week inspo? Enchanted by the connection and care she witnessed from her own naturopath as a teen, Amelia Hetherington (@AmeliaBotanica) was inspired to study naturopathy at @EndeavourCollege and now spends her days helping others discover balance. Read more about a day in the life of an Endeavour College student in Peppermint’s spring issue – out now – and head to the link in our bio for Amelia’s favourite recipe for ending the day right.

#PeppermintMagazine #EndeavourCollege #PeppermintPartner #DayInTheLife #MakePeaceWithYourPlate

Open

What’s stopping you from composting, huh? Lack of space? The smell? Mess? Can’t get enough of store-bought fertiliser? The humble backyard pile might be one of our most vital tools in the fight against climate change but compost suffers a pretty bad rap. To help us dispel some of the common muck, myths and misconceptions, we turned to our friends and compost heroes at @TumbleweedGardening so you can turn over a new pile and get up and composting sooner and more efficiently. Hot tips at the link in our bio! ⁠
⁠
#PeppermintPartner #TumbleweedComposting #CompostLove #WormBuffet #Composting

Open

“People used to say my smile was my best feature, but my hands are my best features. When I was younger, I used to wear long sleeves all the time but now I’m showing them off because they’re who I am. I think without them, I don’t think I’d have that resilience, that strength. Every time I go through something difficult, I look at my hands. I’m like, ‘Look how far you’ve come.’”⁠
⁠
In our latest issue, Australian photographer @JarradSeng taps into our shared humanity to capture the power, symbolism and stories of scars. Read more from Esther and nine other incredible humans by grabbing a copy to see Jarrad's incredibly powerful photo essay today.⁠
⁠
#PeppermintMagazine #TheStoryOfScars

Open

Spring Issue 55

The Stitch Up – These September Makes are Sew Good

By the Book: Six Stitchy Reads for Sewing Fiends

You be the Judge… Voting for The Circle Awards People’s Choice Category is Open

Everyday Endeavour: A Simple, Slow-Cooked Dinner to Wind Down Your Day

A Seat for Everyone: How Brisbane Fashion Week is Flipping the Narrative

Purls of Wisdom: The Transformative Powers of Two Sticks and Some Yarn

Trash Talk – What’s Stopping You From Composting?

Nice Rack! Karishma Kasabia Felt Unseen by the Fashion World… So She Started Her Own Label

“We Can Create a Better World”: Young Activists Gather for Climate Justice

So You Want to be a Citizen Scientist? Why Not Forge a New Relationship with Fungi

Nice Rack! In the Swim with First Nations Designer Liandra Gaykamangu

The Sewing Detective Investigates: The Case of the Tomato Pincushion

– JARRAD SENG, ISSUE 55

hang out with us on instagram

HELLO

Thanks! We can't wait to drop you a line.

Spring Issue 55

A print magazine about style, sustainability and substance

The Stitch Up – These September Makes are Sew Good

By the Book: Six Stitchy Reads for Sewing Fiends

You be the Judge… Voting for The Circle Awards People’s Choice Category is Open

Everyday Endeavour: A Simple, Slow-Cooked Dinner to Wind Down Your Day

A Seat for Everyone: How Brisbane Fashion Week is Flipping the Narrative

Purls of Wisdom: The Transformative Powers of Two Sticks and Some Yarn

join our mailing list

Trash Talk – What’s Stopping You From Composting?

Nice Rack! Karishma Kasabia Felt Unseen by the Fashion World… So She Started Her Own Label

“We Can Create a Better World”: Young Activists Gather for Climate Justice

So You Want to be a Citizen Scientist? Why Not Forge a New Relationship with Fungi

Nice Rack! In the Swim with First Nations Designer Liandra Gaykamangu

The Sewing Detective Investigates: The Case of the Tomato Pincushion

– JARRAD SENG, ISSUE 55

hang out with us on instagram

HELLO

Thanks! We can't wait to drop you a line.