In 2022 we purchased thousands of dollars worth of organic cotton fabric to be sent to the Philippines for the production of these sweats. However, due to the border corruption in the Philippines, the fabric was held in customs and we were asked to pay thousands more for its release. We eventually paid the extra fees, keen to give the women at the Blessed Project work and income. However, even after paying, it never arrived. We were really discouraged and gave up for last Winter. In Jan this year we stopped being sad rolls, got back on the horse and started again from scratch. After almost 2 years of dreaming up this sweat, we're still so in love with this design, so we hope you'll love it for years to come as well!
About the Artist: SAMANTHA DEWHURST
This artwork is from a series of paintings created from Samantha's travels North, titled "East Coast Flow". The pieces in this series are her reflection on how times of rest, spark moments of Joy. Check out Samantha's website to see more of her incredible work.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF...
I'm Samantha currently based on the East Coast of Australia, I'm a designer and work freelance in the marketing space, I spend most of my time in or around the ocean, surfing, and free diving.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM FOR YOUR ARTWORK?
I draw inspiration through the everyday... people and nature. It's the small moments, usually experienced in the natural environment.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Travelling / surfing and usually a mix of the two. There's nothing quite like exploring a new environment and uncovering nature's hidden patterns. Whether it's sharing a post-surf coffee in winter or chasing mesmerising sunsets on unexplored horizons, connecting with fellow creatives fuels my soul. It's all about those effortless moments of inspiration and the timeless memories.
About the Makers: THE BLESSED PROJECT
100% of our apparel is ethically made in a small rural town in the Philippines, by a beautiful group of women who are survivors of human trafficking. We've worked with the Blessed Project since the beginning of Winki and we are so grateful for this partnership. You'll notice a special touch this season on the inside of our sweatshirts. They have sewn in a handmade tag with the name of the women who made your sweatshirt. We thought it was a beautiful way for you to connect with your maker and read about their story. Find our Meet Your Maker page here.
Through The Blessed Project, these women are taught to sew under the supervision of team leader, Edil. This provides them with an income, a new skill and it is also used as a form of therapy while the women decide what they want to do in life.Many of the women decide to go to university and school, while some continue to sew as their main source of income! You can read more about our makers here.
As always, thanks for the continued love and support of this lil dream of ours.
Kip & Becky x
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