NATIONAL: This September will see Sportsgirl unleash an array of new collaborations and charitable projects. First off, a spokesperson confirmed the young women's fashion label had brokered a new partnership with Hannah Chipkin, the designer behind Chip Chop, whose signature style comprised a mix of design, bold prints, clever word play and provocative typography.
The result was the "I Heart Art" collection, including slogan-based canvas totes, singlets, tees and scarves and scheduled for release this September at prices from $29.95 to $79.95.
September would also see Sportsgirl release a range of shoes by Rubber Duck, the label based on espadrille-style shoes created by Danish born designer Eik Braun Ottosen. Ottosen had also created the 'Wear and Care Concept', a program that contributed to the wellbeing of Rubber Duck factory workers in Bangladesh and China by returning 10 per cent of production costs to workers as a yearly bonus.
Sportsgirl had also pledged to support National Body Image and Eating Disorders Week, from September 1 to 7, by raising $100,000 towards a $400,000 project to create Australia's first "Butterfly Wing" – an offshoot of eating disorder charity The Butterfly Foundation – at the Children's Hospital in Westmead, Sydney.
The label had called on past collaborative brands including Arabella Ramsay, Belinda Fairbanks, Mogil, Damselfly, Kate Hurst, Jo Nation and Kitty to create a range of one-off items including beach towels, bags, necklaces, silk scarves, journals and bracelets. Profits from the range would go towards the Butterfly Wing project, the spokesperson said.