MAGPIE GOOSE
From humble kickstarter origins in the NT to contributing to the slow fashion movement, Maggie McGowan and Laura Egan have created a social enterprise fashion label that supports Indigenous artists and regional communities and shares their stories with the world. We spoke with co-founder Laura. WORDS Katy Holliday
Where did the idea for Magpie Goose come from? Magpie Goose was inspired by the amazing textiles that were being produced by artists at remote community art centres in the NT. Through her work as a lawyer with an Aboriginal legal aid organisation, Maggie was visiting remote communities and would always visit the art centres. She fell in love with the screen printed fabrics and would buy metre lengths to get made up into clothing. One day, over a beer, I asked her what she would be doing if she wasn’t working as a lawyer, and she replied, “I’d be doing something with those incredible textiles, they are really world class and deserve to have a much bigger audience.” That night, Magpie Goose was born.
How did you come up with the name Magpie Goose? The magpie goose is a bird native to the Top End of Australia, and sits atop the mango trees, squawking and carrying on. The magpie goose is classic black and white, but also quirky and fun. We wanted to create clothes that were loud, proud and unapologetic, and the magpie goose bird really embodies this. Maggie was also gifted some fabric featuring flying magpie geese, designed by Dora Diaguma from Babbarra Designs, so there were multiple signs leading us to the name.
Why is social enterprise so important to you? We want to live in a country that celebrates Aboriginal people, stories and culture, and has abundant opportunities to connect with and learn from Aboriginal people. We understand how impactful it can be for people to have a platform to share their story. People feel proud and fulfilled, recognised and valued. All of the artists we’ve collaborated with love that their designs are being worn by people all over the world, and they appreciate being able to earn an income from doing something they love.
As a social enterprise, how does Magpie Goose make an impact and support local indiginous communities and artists? We work to create new opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses within the textile and fashion industry. We license textile designs from independent artists and art centres, we hire Aboriginal models and photographers and we facilitate textile design workshops so artists can move into sharing their stories through the medium of textiles. Magpie Goose showcases the work of artists and art centres, helping to grow audiences and contribute to growing the market for Aboriginal textiles. Through our business, we create opportunities for people all over Australia and the world to connect with and learn about Aboriginal culture. This helps to advance the reconciliation journey our country so desperately needs to move forward on.
We adore your bold, bright and fun textiles and that there is a connection between the garments and the stories behind them. What can we learn from the artists’ stories? These stories can really take you on a journey. You can learn about contemporary life in a remote Aboriginal community, about traditional bush foods and plants, about the stolen generation and mission history, about places you’ve never been to and languages you’ve never heard spoken. There is so much cultural richness and fascinating history being shared through these designs.
Can you tell us about your latest collection? Our upcoming collection is a collaboration with the Kalumburu Strong Women’s Centre. During a textile design workshop we facilitated in 2018, a total of 13 designs were created. The stories are remarkable. One design tells of how the artist’s people would trade sea cucumbers for tamarind with the Maccassans. Another tells the story of Lanky the brolga, who became a much loved community member after being adopted as a chick. Lanky was a real personality, and would even put in occasional appearances at community discos.
You’ve paved the way for many aboriginal artists who are now sought-after for other opportunities. Was this something you ever imagined happening? We knew once people discovered these amazing designers and storytellers, opportunities would flow in. We’re proud to have facilitated opportunities like the design of the Frankie 2020 diary featuring Magpie Goose collaborators, Finders Keepers Markets featuring Bede Tungatalum’s Tiwi Bird design and the NT Local Law Courts featuring Mavis Nampitjinpa Marks’ Women’s Business design on their uniforms.
What makes Magpie Goose a sustainable label and a part of the slow fashion movement? We acknowledge and honour everyone involved in the supply chain, and are transparent about how we work. .
Our clothing collections utilise natural fibres (linen, cotton, silk), they are hand screen printed and made in Australia. We make limited collections in a slow and responsible way to ensure each piece is timeless wearable art. Even our garment offcuts are put to good use.
You’ve collaborated with another social enterprise in Melbourne called Second Stitch. How is it helping refugees and asylum seekers in Australia? We reached out to Second Stitch to explore whether they could help us repurpose our offcuts. The fabric is so precious, we wanted to ensure every piece was able to be used. In August, we launched the ongoing collection featuring bumbags, baby bibs, headbands, dog kerchiefs and facemasks. Throughout the Covid lockdown in Melbourne, the seamstresses continue to work from home and Second Stitch has been able to employ and train more staff as a result of increased demand.
What are some of the most fulfilling aspects of running a social enterprise? Doing work that has a broader purpose, having an amazing customer base that values our business and what it stands for, and working with talented artists and collaborators.
What’s next for you in 2021? Maggie and I are having a baby at the end of the year, so I think 2021 will be all about learning how to run a business with a baby in tow.
magpiegoose.com @magpiegoose.nt