JOHANNA + BRITTANY COSGROVE

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

What do you do? We run a social enterprise called Nopesisters, making t-shirts for two reasons: to donate money to incredible charities, and start conversations about issues such as breast cancer, period poverty, consent education, suicide, body positivity and cleaning up the planet. When did you start? Brittany Cosgrove: Just over two years ago I hand-embroidered a tee with a mastectomy scar on it – an homage to our mum, who’s a breast cancer survivor. My sister posted it on Instagram, and within a day we had 30 people asking for one. That’s how Nopesisters was born. What inspires you? Johanna Cosgrove: My incredible friends; small-town New Zealand; the beautiful community of female theatre makers and artists in NZ; bogans; astrology memes. Do you have a day job? JC: I have 45 jobs! Just kidding – I’m an actor, comedian, online video host, radio host, occasional waitress and nanny. Biggest lesson you’ve learnt? BC: Stop caring what people think, because if what you’re doing is honest and genuine, people will recognise and respect that. What does winning a Good Stuff award mean to you? BC: It’s huge to be recognised by our friends and peers for doing something we believe in! It also means my work will be in one of my favourite magazines, which has been a dream since I was a child. What do you stand for? JC: Absolutely fucking up the patriarchy and supporting women through ferocious and generous empathy. Greatest achievement so far? BC: Our t-shirts being added into the permanent Contemporary History Collection at NZ’S National Museum, Te Papa. We’ve also donated over $10,000 to eight hand-picked non-profit organisations connected to our message. And the biggest challenge? JC: Juggling everything; managing stress and mental health. Both Britt and I have no formal training in fashion, design, marketing, accounting or basically anything necessary to run a business, so it’s been a very steep learning curve. One thing we should know about you? BC: I never finished high school. JC: I went to clown school in Paris for a month. What are you working on right now? BC: A circular fashion range. Fashion manufacture is one of the worst polluters in the world, and although we’ve been able to lessen our own impact by sustainably custom-making for each customer and switching to organic cotton, we still need to find ways to recycle and do better in the fashion industry. Where can we see your work? nopesisters.com or on Instagram at @nopesistersclothing.