Five Takeaways from BrisStyle’s Create and Connect Conference
- Words by Peppermint
It feels like connection has never been more important than it is right now. Whether it’s actual in-person face time or virtual catch ups, we’re all seeking out the creative corners of the world to keep ourselves sane and inspired at the same time.
The folks over at BrisStyle know a thing or two about creativity and connection, and when we attended their annual Create and Connect Conference last month, there was no doubt about the boundless possibilities and uplifting goodness left in this world.
Because we could all take a moment to stop and appreciate the pure, wholesome goodness of the creative world, here are five insights too good to forget from the event.
TOP PHOTO: PEPPERMINT’S EDITOR DESTA CULLEN. ALL PHOTOS BY RACHEL KIMBERLEY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BRISSTYLE.
Sewing stitches us together
If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that more and more of us are picking up needle and thread, dusting off sewing machines and getting down to the very satisfying business of sewing. It’s a reflection of how, in tough times like the COVID pandemic, we’re seeking out things that actually serve our values: activities that add to feelings of self-sufficiency and resilience and let us take back the feeling of control. The growth seems endless and, in fact, the Peppermint sewing audience is one of our largest (big ups, good people) – thousands of lovely humans download Peppermint’s free patterns every week. The beautiful messages and generous donations (thank you!) we receive are proof of what an amazing community is stitched together – IRL and online!
We stand on the shoulders of supportive, creative giants…
Aside from sharing some of their most personal moments and insightful advice from a life in creative business, every single person that spoke at BrisStyle’s Create and Connect conference said they wouldn’t be there without those that showered them with support, love and life advice. Irrepressible creative, artist and ceramicist Bonnie Hislop, who recently created a space dedicated to handmade ceramics and mindful making (Dabbler Studio), recounted how much it meant to her to have so many amazing creatives to lean on in the early days, saying how much she wanted to honour that by paying it forward. It’s an “abundance mentality, in which we give advice and knowledge, putting it out and getting it back to build a community,” she said.
Copycats aren’t all bad
When you’re a genuine creator with a unique product, it can be so easy to give into the fear of not sharing your work online for fear of copycats. But Kirsten Devitt from Each to Own, said that creativity is a force to be reckoned with – and true creatives are relentless. Just don’t stop making, doing and creating, and you’ll always stay one step ahead. And, although it can sting at first, perhaps what looks like a copycat is really just someone at the start of their creative journey, on their way to finding their own voice.
Sewing teaches us more than how to make clothes
The alchemy and empowerment of sewing is undeniable – creating something from nothing (or transforming fabric into a dress) with our own two hands makes us positively giddy with excitement. It’s a slow, mindful practice that creates a sense of value and a story for the clothing you wear. How to deal with disappointment is another, according to Kylie Brûlé of Kylie and the Machine. Picking yourself up dropped stitch after dropped stitch, and then sewing on despite disappointing results, is all part and parcel of a sewist’s lot – and a good way to approach life. Oh and also… being OK with swearing. For Naomi Huntsman, the clever and crafty made-to-order creator behind The Sewloist, the biggest lesson is how powerful sewing can be as a form of activism – and that living your values can extend to all parts of life, including what you do for a job.
Necessity is the mother of innovation
When Kylie created Kylie and The Machine and the labels for which the business is now known – sold through more than 300 retailers around the world – it was out of her own need to have cute, fun labels to put on the pieces she made. And Kylie’s own necessity struck a chord with others in the same boat. So why not turn the innovator’s eye on your own life? Is there something you could create that could make your life easier, happier or more creative? Chances are you’re not the only one!
IMAGES: RACHEL KIMBERLEY PHOTOGRAPHY PANEL ARTWORK: PATCH CREATIVE
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On the 14th of April 2013 the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, tragically killing 1134 workers and injuring over 2,500 more.
Every year we commemorate this devastating and avoidable loss of life and advocate for better working conditions for all during Fashion Revolution Week, which runs from 22nd-28th April in 2026.
This year there are different themes for each day of the week, with the annual Mend In Public day falling right in the middle, on Saturday 25th April.
This is your cue to gather your community, settle in and commit some time, attention and creativity to mending your clothes in the pursuit of extending their life in your wardrobe. Be it patching, embroidery, sewing or stitching, there are many ways to resolve structural and aesthetic issues in your garments that will see you donning them for years to come!
If it’s a bit tricky to get mending on the day itself (it will be ANZAC Day here in Australia) then fear not. Any time is the right time for mending so if you need to take needle in hand on another day that will do just fine!
Comment below if you know of any events you`d like to share happening in your community.
Learn more and get involved:
@FashionRevolutionAustralia
@Fash_Rev
FashionRevolution.org
#FashionRevolution #WhoMadeMyClothes #MendInPublicDay
“This is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out.” ❤️
And we’re so glad you did, Emma!
From @CinnamonDaisyStudio:
No biggie, I’m just in a really cool magazine 🥹
When @Laura_The_Maker reached out to me last year to ask if I’d be interested in being featured in @PeppermintMagazine I didn’t hold back. I 100% fan girled 🤣 it was obviously a yes!
Getting to talk about the positive impact sewing your own clothes has on your body image is the BEST. I started sewing my own clothes because the standard doesn’t fit me. But I wasn’t expecting to heal my body image at the same time. What a wonderful byproduct ❤️🩹
So this is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out ❤️
Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
Our lovely community manager Em, runs us through the offer.
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription!
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio!
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
Calling all brands who give a damn! 📣
Bookings for our wonderful Sew&Tell digital issue are now open – if you are an awesome creative brand that fits right in with Peppermint`s ethos of style, sustainability, sewing and substance, get in touch. Or if you know of one who might be keen – tag them below. We have packages for budgets both big and small, but spots are limited, so don`t wait too long to get in touch!
Drop us a line at Mandy@PeppermintMag.Com for a chat with Mandy, our lovely advertising manager – she`ll help you find the best way to share your good work with our awesome audience.
We`d sew love to work with you! ✨️🧵✨️
#PeppermintSewAndTell
💛 BFF GIVEAWAY 💛
Generous, messy, creative, spiky, warm, enigmatic… our best friends come in many flavours. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a far better, more interesting place to be.
Inspired by Sam and Sadie’s complicated ‘forever’ bond in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by @GabrielleZevin (a firm Peppermint fave ‘friendy’ read), we’ve rounded up some iconic fictional duos from books, movies and TV - the ride-or-dies, bosom buddies, chosen family, the ‘you’re-my-person’ people.
They all remind us that the non-romantic kind of love is always worth the effort (and it’s often the kind that lasts!). Think Anne Shirley and Diana Barry, Calvin and Hobbes, Snoopy and Woodstock, Eloise and Penelope… Head to the link in bio to read the full story and meet them all!
We’ve got two copies of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow to gift to one lucky Peppermint reader and their bestie, thanks to @PenguinBooksAus.
To enter:
✨Follow us and @PenguinBooksAus
✨Tag your best friend in the comments
✨Tell them why they’re so darn great!
Because as Sadie tells Sam: true collaborators in life are rare. And very much worth celebrating.
Winner drawn Tuesday 21 April 2pm. Australian addresses only. Good luck! 📖
#BFF #BookGiveaway #TomorrowAndTomorrowAndTomorrow
Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
It`s almost time to celebrate that special person in your life who has motherly energy – mum, aunty, single parent, queer parent, grandparent, caregiver... or maybe just someone who happens to love getting chocolate treats (and hey, maybe that someone is YOU!).
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio 🌟
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
