Yarn

Yarn is a non-Indigenous owned business with 35 culturally diverse Indigenous and Non-Indigenous team members, based in Brisbane (Meanjin). Driven by one mission: creating an inclusive marketplace for and in collaboration with the Indigenous community, to provide a platform for Indigenous owned businesses, ally-friendly businesses and Indigenous artists to share their culture and unique stories with our customers.

One of a kind designs, designs that speak of country, culture, and the Dreaming.

The name ‘Boobie Sista’ captures the sisterhood of female friendships and support networks. The piece was inspired by Zowie’s best friend, Kelly, who was diagnosed 4 years ago (Zowie and Kelly pictured above). Through the symbols and colours, this artwork tells the story of how a community rallies to provide support when one of their sisters is going through a difficult time.

They came up with the artwork together to capture their experience, the strength of sisterly bonds that help us through dark times. And they knew that their story was one shared by millions of women around Australia and the world. On the design, Zowie said ‘The circle represents the meeting space for all women battling this illness. The rainbow shapes around the circle represent the women and all the people that helped them through this rough time. Women supporting women in a very special way.’

Kelly was only 38 when she discovered a lump on her breast that led to a diagnosis. Her first concern was for her young daughter, and how this might be difficult for her. When Kelly started to lose her hair from the treatment, Zowie declared that she was going to shave her head too. Kelly refused, but Zowie insisted. With two of them hairless together, Kelly’s daughter wouldn’t be as scared, as confused. It was no longer ‘mum doesn’t have hair anymore’; it became ‘mum and her friend have shaved their heads’. They were in this together, a team. Zowie’s incredible gesture helped make things easier for Kelly’s daughter, which made things easier for Kelly. It transformed a dark time into a memorable experience. It didn’t make it easy, but it shared the load a bit.

This campaign included a longer form interview piece with Kelly and Zowie as well as short form content for social media and a photo series of the collection and Kelly and Zowie's story by Melanie Hinds.