You Are What You Wear: Strawberry Sage Hoodie
You Are What You Wear
I remember when I was growing up and I always wore hand me down clothes that never felt quite like me. It was sometime in high school when I started working at Tim Hortons and buying my own clothes that I really got to start dressing the way I felt. To be honest it was pretty awkward and in hindsight I cringe but applaud my younger self for making some bold choices. Over time, my style has become more and more true to who I am (and less cringey), from the hoodies I wear, to the glasses, to my hair and especially my accessories. I am a public speaker but I am also very deliberate in using fashion to send a clear message before even opening up my mouth. In “You Are What You Wear” I would like to share the significance of something as as simple as an article of clothing and how much thought goes into every item I wear.
Strawberry Sage Hoodie
I feel like this hoodie represents me in many ways. I love pink, I love sage and I love strawberries. The combination is perfect. It also felt like an act of resistance when I went and purchased these at The Bay at Polo Park! The thing that is so great about art/fashion like this is it can mean different things to each of us. Many folks seemed to like it when I posted in on my social media accounts too! There is a beautiful description on the Red Rebel Armour website:
The Strawberry Sage Hoodie is rooted in love, medicine, and healing.
The gentle touch of grandmother moon glistening upon your face, the smell of sage burning reminds you of peace, and the bitter-sweet taste of strawberries fills your heart with unconditional love.
Written by, Jaylee Govereau
Art by, Kale Bonham
Pretty awesome hey?
This hoodie means many things to me. It was designed by talented artist Kale Bonham, an Indigenous artist from right here in the North End for the Indigenous owned social enterprise red rebel armour. Sean Rayland's vision and partnerships are bringing so many facets of urban Indigenous identity to life. You can read more about Sean Rayland here in this January 2021 article that talks about how he turned his pain into purpose. As an Indigenous man, I really respect and look up to him for the journey he is on and appreciate the messages he sends through his words but most importantly through his actions and his clothing.
“The ethos of the brand stems from three directives: to increase prosocial behaviour; to reduce the incarceration rate for Indigenous youth; and to advocate for Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action for Justice #25 – 42.”
If you have never read those calls to action you can read them here. If you have never visited their website and read from their own perspective about how and why they do this work, please take a look and place an order.
How many elements of the design, development and finished product do I really love? Let me break down why each part of this hoodie and how it came to be makes it so special.
Strawberry - Strawberries are a heart medicine, they help with grief. There are stories attached to this medicine tha thave been shared with me that make its inclusion on this sweater so personally significant.
Sage - the smudging medicine, the cleanser! I love sage. It is one of the few medicines I have been taught how to pick and how to use. IT is an activity that I share with folks and the act of smudging can be great for all facets of our health: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.
Social Enterprise - a social enterprise is like business with a bigger heart. Social enterprises have a social goal as well as a financial one. The more I learn about social enterprises the more I like them. I am very impressed that Red Rebel Armour is structured in this way.
Indigenous Owned & Relationship Based - I am obviously bias to wanting to support Indigenous owned and operated projects. I also am very open about the relationship based approach i take to my work. That Red Rebel armour works with a number of people I love and respect, supporting their brand is an easy decision for me to make.
Bumble bees, the moon & the colour pink - these small details really bring the whole piece of art together. The moon connects us all together, reminding us that we are all worthy, even when we wane and wean. The bumble bee is a reminder that when we take care of medicines, they sustain the animals, and together they sustain us, the human beings. The colour of soft but bright pink is also a great statement on an already beautiful and personally meaningful hoodie.
Hoodies like this and the whole social enterprise allow so many people to feel represented & reflected by what we choose to wear. I also want to congratulate Red Rebel Armour, Sean and Kale for being mentioned on t his year’s list of 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans, congratulations on the much deserved recognition.
