Mask Planet
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is opening up, we can visit regional Vic, we can sit in for a coffee, we can even have a couple of people over - YESS! One thing that doesn't change though, is that good old mask wearing that we're becoming accustomed to. If we're going to have to wear them, may as well make it as colourful and meaningful as can be!
An Instagram message a month ago put me in touch with a lovely little business doing it right. @maskplanetaus is a small team of Melbourne artists spanning from fashion, art and videography to a killer seamstress and digital media and animation. All in the at-risk category, when Covid hit they couldn’t switch to a front-facing job, and founder Jess was sure she could find a way to support without going outside.
Big advocate for the "very slow" fashion movement and with a desire to build something sustainable the team started making beautiful masks from wacky ideas and local planet-friendly materials. Another aim was to contribute to causes they cared about, which is why they have decided to donate at least 20% of profits to organisations doing great work. In the lead up to christmas they're supporting @bb4homeless - "It will never be about profit" Jess tells me.
Something that really shon through in my conversation with her, is that Jess is the absolute best kind of obsessive. It was inspiring to hear her speak about all the steps, multiple calls, and thought-through research to find the most local and environmentally sustainable option possible. That's in material sourcing, but also within the work, the packaging and the sending and delivery process.
So what's your tip to weed through the greenwashing? I ask. "Pick up the phone and call them. When you start getting passed on to one person, then another, then another to get an answer, it sounds alarm bells. I might sound paranoid when making the calls, but it’s something you’ve gotta do" Thanks for doing it Jess! This is our way of showing that our team supports you!
#SDG3 #goodhealthandwellbeing #SDG11 #sustainablecitiesandcommunities #SDG12 #responsibleconsumptionandproduction #thinkenoughmasks #brandcolours #staysafe #maskupmelbourne #forpurposebusiness #inclusivebusiness #socent