12 Indigenous Designers & Businesses To Add To Your Online Shopping Rotation
Online shopping really is one of the better inventions of the modern-day era.
From browsing clothes when you’re meant to be working, buying way too many earrings you don’t need, or ordering the skincare you deserve, it’s the perfect way to treat yourself.
If you’ve been treating yourself lately, then good! You deserve it. But we have a list of more designers and businesses to add to your shopping rotation and trust us, you won’t regret it.
The Black Lives Matter movement is ongoing and doesn’t end after one big protest. If you’ve been struggling to figure out what to do next, or if you’re unable to donate to organisations that support Aboriginal people as regularly as you’d like, but still want to figure out a way to be a supportive ally, then there’s another way to put your money where your mouth is.
Below is a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses you can continually support.
This list isn’t extensive or finished. Please email [email protected] for any inclusions and we’ll continue to update the list.
#1. Clothing The Gap
Clothing The Gap is an Aboriginal owned social enterprise and fashion label with 100% of the profits supporting Aboriginal health and education programs. The brand name is a play on words from “Closing the Gap” which is the Australian Government health initiative to help close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal people and non-Indigenous Australians.
Read more about Clothing the Gap here.
#2. Haus Of Dizzy
Kristy Dickinson is an Indigenous jewellery designer and her stuff is EPIC. From statement earrings to extra bling on your personalised initial earrings, she’s got all your needs covered including necklaces, brooches, and jewellery stands.
Trust me on this one: you’ll go to her site to buy yourself one nice pair of new earrings and leave with a much bigger supply but you’ll also be the envy of your mates with your fancy new bling.
#3. Little Black Duck
These amazing hand-painted creations from Wagga Wagga woman Ashleigh Pengelly will take your breath away. Her website boasts an array of beautiful teapots, serving boards, and wall prints, as well as candles, terracotta pots, and native tea.
Take a browse: they’d make a perfect gift for a friend or family member or even just to treat yourself!
#4. Gammin Threads
Tahnee is a talented designer who started Gammin Threads as her side hustle and a creative outlet. Empowering women is all part of her brand and is evident across her tee designs and totes.
#5. Ginny’s Girl Gang
These hand-painted jackets are pure art. Whether you’re after a new denim jacket, faux-leather, or sweatshirt, Ginny’s designs are incredible.
Given the nature of how long the pieces take to create, it’s worth keeping an eye on her website and Instagram to see when sold out items will make a return.
#6. Deadly Denim
Deadly Denim is an ethical business with a collection of denim jackets that showcase screen-printed designs from artists at various remote Aboriginal art centres. Founder Beck Barlow launched the business in 2018 and has grown it from strength-to-strength in terms of its social impact as it aims to make the fashion collection as sustainable as possible.
Deadly Denim also donates 10% of each jacket sale to the Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Fund who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student midwives.
#7. Game Enough
A majority-owned Indigenous business, Game Enough is all about promoting native plant-based food and Aussie game meat. Located in Banyo, Brisbane the company does meal packages and catering to local areas, but the online store is worth exploring too for the native pantry goods and gift hamper ideas for any upcoming birthdays or occasions.
BRB, I need the salted macadamia caramel chocolate in my life ASAP.
#8. Paperbarklove
From soaps to lip balms to hair butter and gift packs, the biggest challenge will be trying not to buy literally everything on the Paperbarklove site because it all looks so damn good. Paperbark’s products are stocked in some Brisbane stores or available to order online, and all products are made with natural, simple ingredients. Creator of Paperbark, Amanda Watts, is a Kungarakan woman and shares on her website that she has taken inspiration from her heritage with paperbark being something that was used abundantly in ceremony by the Kungarakan people.
Paperbark’s products are stocked in some Brisbane stores or available to order online and all products are made with natural, simple ingredients and will help replenish and revitalise your skin.
#9. Kadu Designa Earrings
From double hanging earrings and studs, to skinny ties, bow ties, and scrunchies, the Kadu Designa store has some really beautiful stuff. All creations are custom handmade and inspired by Aboriginal fabric – you can even enquire about your own custom design.
#10. Bimbi Love
A creative concept store based between Brisbane and Melbourne, Bimbi Love is owned and operated by two sisters who are members of the Kungalu and Birri Gubba peoples of central QLD.
Bimbi Love offers a range of authentically made jewellery, accessories, print art, custom gifts, and design services so get browsing ASAP!
#11. Lakkari Pitt
If you’re in need of some beautiful prints or artworks to brighten up your home, look no further. Keep a close eye on Lakkari’s Instagram page to secure a sweet deal.
#12. Gillawarra Arts
For more jewellery and prints, Krystal Hurst is the mastermind behind Gillawarra’s wearable and visual art. The intricate handmade jewellery and contemporary artwork will have you feeling like a constant 10.
We’d like to acknowledge the Blak Business Instagram page (which you can follow here for more great businesses to support) as a valuable source for helping curate this list, as well as the people in Abbie Chatfield’s “It’s A Lot” Facebook group for starting a thread and Google doc featuring their favourite Aboriginal-owned businesses.
For further reading, this article on Gammin Threads helps any non-Indigenous people learn what is and isn’t acceptable to wear for allies.