The Social Studio Is Stitching Together a New Chapter in Fitzroy, Including a Community Mending Station to Fix Your Frayed Garments
This long-running social enterprise has traded Collingwood Yards for Brunswick Street, bringing its purpose-led fashion, creative workshops and mending services to Fitzroy.
Melbourne-made social enterprise The Social Studio is on the move again, relocating from its Collingwood Yards digs to a prime Fitzroy location at 229 Brunswick Street. For those new to the purpose-led operation, The Social Studio has provided meaningful training and employment opportunities for refugee and migrant creatives since 2009, using fashion to build skills, confidence and pathways into the industry.
Like its previous locations, the new store will bring together retail, creativity and community. Stepping inside the bright-blue doorway, visitors will find The Social Studio's own label — made at its free, accredited school just off Smith Street — alongside a selection of fashionable goods from brands like Remuse, Music in Exile, Zarić Jewellery and The Rochelle Fish.
"We are excited to create more opportunities for our community through retail, mending, creative workshops, job training and traineeships, while continuing to support the incredible talent that exists within our community," says Eve Walton-Healy, General Manager of The Social Studio.
What's more, the Brunswick Street third space will also serve as a hub for the social enterprise's in-house mending program, where customers can extend the life of their garments through creative mending, alterations and knitwear repairs. Plus, to strengthen community connection, a range of workshops for all skill levels teach everything from everyday sewing to Sashiko stitching, darning and more.
Over the years, The Social Studio has become a cornerstone of Melbourne's creative scene, with numerous artists and designers digging deep to help out. This time around, renowned architecture practice Breathe Architecture worked on the space pro bono, delivering a bold yet warm storefront that makes the most of natural light. In the back, customers are welcome to chill on couches as they skim through the mending menu.
"For us, this is about so much more than opening a new store," adds Walton-Healy. "It's about creating a space where people feel welcome, where creativity is celebrated, skills are shared and new opportunities can grow. We want people to come in, connect with our work and see the impact that fashion and sustainability can have when it brings people together."
The Social Studio is now open at 229 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Benjamin Thomson.
