By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
CLOTHES don’t maketh just the man or woman. For a band of young people in Dandenong, clothes are helping them make new lives.
An artistic spark has fired up the young creatives at a T-shirt
logo design and printing project, Reval Ink, at Youth Support and
Advocacy Services.
For artists such as Kur Kwajakwan, it is an opportunity to proudly
incorporate designs of his African homeland, including ones based on
the South Sudanese flag.
For Khya Whiteside, 19, it was discovering a whole new vocation.
Khya says she could have been “dead in a gutter” several months ago.
Last week, she was abuzz at the prospect of soon launching her own
Briteside fashion label – Briteside combining her surname with her
newfound positivity.
Her first design, a simple logo in “baseball writing” on T-shirts,
attracted 50 early orders on her Briteside Enterprises Facebook page.
“Enterprise means a dream or a challenge,” Khya says. “That’s exactly what I’m doing; it’s a dream or a challenge.”
It’s more than a change of clothes for the artists. Many have been
disengaged from mainstream education, dealing with mental health,
broken homes, substance abuse and other complex issues.
Khya’s housemate, Alison Vines, who also designs tees at Youth
Support and Advocacy Services, says Khya’s self-esteem has soared.
“She’s started to get really excited, which brightens up my day as
well,” Alison said.
Khya says the support of workers such as Reval Ink project manager
Mal Ouk has been crucial. Mr Ouk, who sees his role as an art
therapist, assures Khya that she would have made it “with or without
us”.
‘‘She had some issues but she’s now doing really well,” he said.
The group uses the YSAS state-of-the-art garment printer while
hoodies and T-shirts are sourced with the help of ethical consultants
Ethico.
Youth Affairs Minister Ryan Smith visited the group last week and
said he was impressed how the creative program, given $105,000 in state
funding over three years, had inspired young people.
“I was told it wouldn’t have run without the funding,” he said.
“For [Alison and Khya] they say this is their second home. You can see
tangible outcomes for these people.”
