ShowTellShare One Hundred and Ninety-Four

Posted on May 17, 2013 by JGRuddock

Well the *good* news is things haven’t slowed down since we finished up with our Pilot; with more opportunities to meet people, hear ideas and think about The Social Outfit‘s next steps…

Recently I went to Auburn and met with some lovely people from the Australian Afghan Hassanian Youth Association (AAHYA), and then on Monday this week I met with a group of very welcoming women from Al Btool Inc, an Iraqi Muslim support group, in Bankstown. They hosted me, sharing their amazing home-cooked food, and we talked about The Social Outfit. Many of the women shared their sewing experience, as well as their love of colour, fashion, and making clothing. This week I’ve also been out to Fairfield High School, which has both an Intensive English Centre for newly arrived migrants, and also has a very high number of students from refugee communities. We’re developing some exciting ideas, especially when knowing how many young people positively respond to creativity and fashion.

Then yesterday, Nicole and I started another fashion workshop at the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown.

The Asylum Seekers Centre has recently moved, so it was really lovely to be in a large, light-filled room working creatively with many interested people. We had women and men of all ages involved in making gifts and fashion pieces for their loved ones, or themselves.

You may have noticed that when doing some workshops we don’t have photos or names of people involved. This is something we’re unable to do, so instead I try and capture the feeling of involvement, community and learning…

One young man, who has been involved in all our workshops, and is very keen on fashion, used a sewing machine for the first time. His stitching skills were amazing! He took to it like a natural…

I love that he has been involved in every step of making these scarves; from hand eco-dyeing them in our Rocks pop-up space, to then sewing them together here in Newtown. We’re so pleased to be working collaboratively with the Asylum Seekers Centre, their wonderful staff and clients, who’ve all made us feel so welcome.

I also finished up my university research work this week. As you know, thanks to the Vodafone Foundation ‘World of Difference’ program I can now go full-time on setting up The Social Outfit. Working at the University of New South Wales this past year has been amazing for further developing my research skills; and many of my colleagues have been really interested in The Social Outfit work too. Special mention goes to my manager, Kath Albury, who is a huge supporter of what we’re trying to achieve. She was brilliant to work with. And so here’s me and my colleague Paul – who has volunteered for The Social Outfit, especially for our November 2012 event – on my last day… And seeing as we both research media cultures, a dodgy, fun ‘selfie’ seemed appropriate:

I’ll be back to show/tell/sharing full fashion outfit posts soon too… xo

ShowTellShare One Hundred and Ninety-Two

Posted on May 6, 2013 by JGRuddock

Show/Tell/Share: Check out Susan last Saturday doing some live window-modelling of The Social Studio clothing. Amongst other things, Susan is an aspiring modern dancer, so she was also showcasing her contemporary dance moves down at our Pop-Up Pilot at The Rocks…

This dress was so truly suited to Susan’s own style and personality that she happily bought it in support of The Social Studio and The Social Outfit. A beautiful butterfly-inspired-dress for a talented young woman…

Thanks for working with us, Susan! Here is what she wrote about the experience:

My favourite part of The Social Studio fashion is the mixture of different colours that is so contemporary, with a link to cultural inspiration. Working with The Social Outfit means getting along with everyone, and it meant I felt comfortable and confident.

Then on Thursday and Friday last week I had my two-day induction as part of the Vodafone Foundation ‘World of Difference’ paid charity leave. Here’s me and two of my *wonderful* fellow WOD’ers – we’ve just finished telling our story for about the tenth time, and to many of the interested staff at Vodafone Headquarters, including the CEO – so no wonder we’re smiling and looking relieved!

On my left is the *darling* Loren O’Keefe from Missing Persons’ Advocacy Network (Melbourne) and the ‘Dan Come Home’ Campaign. On my right is the *bold and bright* Julliette Wright from Givit (Brisbane). Our fourth buddy, not pictured, is Ian Davis from MND and Me Foundation. Right now Ian is riding the ‘million meters ride’ on a two-person, purpose-built, bike from Brisbane to Sydney. Good luck, Ian! (For more about me and my three fellow participants a good snapshot is here, at Vodafone Foundation ‘World of Difference’.)

Last Friday evening we opened for some late-night shopping and a bit of a community catch up. Here’s just a few fun pics from the night…

*Thanks* for your joy and hope lovelies pictured here, and others!

And given that we will close our pop-up doors this Friday evening, 10 May 2013, we’re going to have a small last *hoorah* for all the support and love Sydney-siders have shown from 5.30pm. Follow our The Social Outfit Facebook page for updates…

ShowTellShare One Hundred and Eighty-Seven

Posted on April 12, 2013 by JGRuddock

Share: If at first you don’t succeed…

Some of you may recall in 2012 I made it to the top 10 of the Vodafone Foundation’s World of Difference Program. In the end, I didn’t win the funding, and so I kept working away voluntarily for the year part-time, doing my very best to keep us progressing. Well, the *wonderful* news this time for me and The Social Outfit, is that I’VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL in 2013! That’s right: The Vodafone Foundation is supporting me to take a year’s Paid Charity Leave, through the World of Difference Program! In real terms this means from May I’ll be going full time on The Social Outfit, and I’m going to keep working harder and harder to make us be the success we all dream we can be… Hooray!

Guess my elevator pitch turned out OK, and I think I’m going to have a lot of this kind of practice in the year ahead!!

*BIG* thanks to everyone who has been supportive so far, especially Grace at The Social Studio, The Social Outfit entourage, and you dear readers! It’s a team effort!

Show:

Tell: Tatty Devine earrings and necklace, The Social Studio silk dress, Black Milk ‘Woman in Red’ leggings, retail socks, Fluevog shoes.

But this is not a time for resting: we have a Pilot Program to get up and running! Here’s our space as part of The Rocks Pop-Up, and we open on Tuesday… *Exciting and EEEEK!*

Yes, we have a lot of work to do, but we’ll get there! xo

ShowTellShare One Hundred and Eighty-Three

Posted on March 28, 2013 by JGRuddock

Share: Wow… The things I find myself doing in the pursuit of making The Social Outfit happen in Sydney. Take today for example…

In this outfit,

At one point, I was standing in an elevator, talking straight to a professional camera-man, pitching The Social Outfit concept in just 45 seconds. Do you know how quick that is?! “Hello, my name is Jackie, and I’d *love* The Social Outfit to happen…” and BAM! 45 seconds is up! Plus, talking to a camera is REALLY hard. And then, a person who works inside the building got in the lift with me too while we were recording live – I don’t think he had any idea why I was standing in a work elevator talking to a camera crew. Heaven knows what the video ended up looking like! One thing I do know: I sure did try my best.

You see, today was my Vodafone Foundation ‘World of Difference’ interview. I’m lucky enough to reach the Top 10 this year, and *FINGERS CROSSED* this time we get it. Honestly, what a ‘world of difference‘ this support would make! A BIG step closer to opening our doors.

Naturally, too, I was wearing The Social Studio for such an important event. And, does my dress look a little familiar perhaps? That’s right, this is the dress Hawanatu showcased in our November 2012 runway show…

This gem is made with vintage fabric, and I simply love the design of these The Social Studio dresses: so comfortable, so easy to wear. A worthwhile purchase for me!

Tell: Glasses from Japan, handmade earrings and necklace, The Social Studio dress, Fletcher Jones skirt from op shop, retail tights, Happy Socks, vintage 1980-90s Fluevog clog shoes.

And finally, look how we are developing with our The Social Outfit Pilot Project:

We had so many great people offer to be involved in our workshops, and I’m so pleased that we have on offer a great range of workshops of fashion-related fun. Thanks Nicole, Catharine and Soraya! And soon, we’ll all get to watch the genius-creativity of young people from refugee backgrounds… Exciting!

If you want to be kept up to date as the event develops, follow our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/520967514627304/

ShowTellShare Fourteen

Posted on March 21, 2012 by JGRuddock

Show:

Tell: Glasses from op shop, Skirtmaster Sydney jacket from Savers op shop Frankston, The Social Studio top, Miss Shop dress from op shop. leggings gifted from Benny, Simon de Winter socks, Fluevogs.

Share: Dressing for an interview. Luckily I have a pair of leggings Benny gifted me at the end of What Ken Be Done; which is a *good* touch seeing as he’s helped to get me this far with the Vodafone Foundation World of Difference. Of course, wearing The Social Studio for luck, and to remind why I’m doing this in the first place. Hooray! So with colourful nerves, I’ll let you know how I go… and thanks for all the support via the ShowTellShare Facebook page, Twitter (@JGRuddock) and here. xo

Happy Harmony Day too. I know may not always achieve *fashion harmony*, but in society, my hope for harmony is what keeps me going!

ShowTellShare Thirteen

Posted on March 20, 2012 by JGRuddock

Share: The sharing comes first today as I’ve been shortlisted in the top 10 for the Vodafone Foundation World of Difference program, and my interview is tomorrow. Being successful with this grant will allow me to work for a full year on setting up The Social Studio in Sydney. It’s such a great opportunity for us to move forward, so please wish me luck! Eeek! Importantly, a big thanks to David from the Slingsby Foundation and Benny from The School for Social Entrepreneurs for acting as referees for me: having people to support me and The Social Studio is a real energy boost at this early, critical stage.

Now with me looking after my Mum and step-Dad in Melbourne, I’m Skyping in, so the system has been tested today, and looks to work, which is the first relief. Here’s an insight for you into my nervous, and yet excited demeanour as I sat by the computer:

I’m wearing a dress I’ve had for years now, made by the African Women’s Sewing Circle in Southern NSW… another great example of ethical fashion, locally made:

Show & Tell: And here too, is another great supporter and friend, Scottie. Imagine my *delight* when I ran into him last Tuesday in The Cutting Table quite by accident. We’ve known each other for years and years. Scottie is a photographer, and he’s now working in Collingwood. He tells me he comes into The Cutting Table every day for a banana smoothie. I was so excited, I asked him to send me a photo of him having one, so I could post it up on ShowTellShare. And as you can see, this is what Sydney needs too – happy faces like this:

As he said, “so good I finished it before he got back to the office!” Thanks lovely Scottie for sending me in a photo, and *mostly* for supporting The Social Studio too! xo xo

Jackie Ruddock

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Tag Archives: World of Difference