Beyond shirts. Beyond fashion.
Life Apparel is a messenger and vessel that connects First Nations artists, stories and culture with the wider community through wearable art. We make apparel with a meaning and encourage everyone to wear and show their values.
As an Australian-led boutique label and proud allies, Life Apparel nurtures supportive, empowering and inclusive environments for everyone. Cultivating an environment where all voices matter, and where our differences are celebrated is part of who we are.
Our People
Together We Are Stronger
Life Apparel is a collective of artists, storytellers, creatives, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander peoples and allies.
57 Artist Collabs To Date
To date, 57 local, emerging, and nationally acknowledged First Nations artists have chosen to collaborate with Life Apparel. Each of our piece showcases 100% authentic artworks by Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander creators.
Hear their stories. Support their dreams. Wear their art.
Together, we translate their stories into contemporary fashion collections. Through a positive, accessible and respectful approach, each design comments on social, environmental or community subjects directly from, and with credit to its artist.
100% Passionate Team
At Life Apparel, our passion for excellence goes beyond a principle; it is the foundation of everything we do. From the selection of products to the service we provide, our quest for excellence is unwavering. Each member of our team is guided by this shared passion, leading to the delivery of unmatched service.
Our small team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people works hard to create a meaningful and trusted business through ethical practices and a purposeful mission. We are committed to driving change towards a more equal and honest society.
Our commitment to excellence ensures that only selected apparel items make it into our portfolio. We deal with carefully chosen business partners who share our passion and commitment to delivering only the best.
Respect And Inclusion
Built on diversity and inclusion, collectively we strive to amplify First Nations voices and stories that ethically supports its artists, accelerate social change and spark important conversations through fashion. Our aim is to create a sense of belonging, ensuring that everyone who interacts with Life Apparel feels included and valued.
We understand that our team is our greatest asset, so we cultivate a work environment based on respect and inclusion. This means valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of each team member and treating our customers with the same level of respect and understanding. Our team actively seeks out and embraces diverse perspectives, believing that this diversity enriches our collective understanding of the apparel market.
Life Apparel (formerly known as Lifewear) was born in Naarm (Melbourne) in late 2014. Two years later, we moved to Yugambeh Land (Gold Coast), where our team has resided ever since. Back in those days Indigenous design remained widely unacknowledged by mainstream fashion.
Up until that point, First Nations peoples’ stories and artworks were primarily represented through art galleries. Since then, dozens of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander artists have chosen to work with Life Apparel, thousands of customers have decided to support our collaborating artists, their collections and start an important dialogue in their own community.
We believe voices change conversations, and that amplified voices amplify impact.
Our small team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are working hard to create a meaningful and trusted business through ethical practices and a purposeful mission. We are committed to driving change towards a more equal and honest society.
Since 2014
Ethics and Authenticity
Life Apparel is an approved signatory of the Indigenous Art Code. This ensures ethical trading, integrity, transparency, and accountability in dealings with First Nations Artists. The code empowers artists, supporting them in achieving fair and transparent commercial opportunities for their art.
We are strong champions of ethical practices in the industry and see the voluntary Code of Conduct as a pivotal means to achieve this, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a culture of respect and fairness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists.
Ethical fashion connecting
First Nations artists
and global communities!
Our Why
Cause ➜ Effect
Life Apparel was born to connect First Nations artists, their art, stories and knowledge to wider society through ethical and accessible fashion items while creating economic opportunities for collaborating artists and the community as a whole.
Our core values have always been that garments are created ethically, that artists are paid for their artwork and that each piece is available to the public at an accessible price point. This remains integral to Life Apparel’s operations and soul.
The artists are paid upfront for their work as well as receive ongoing royalties paid regularly after the sale of their products.
Spoken Stories
Who creates our artworks?
We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with over 50 First Nations artists. Each Life Apparel piece features artworks by Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander creators.
Hear their stories. Support their dreams. Wear their art.
Together, we translate their stories into contemporary fashion collections. Through a positive, accessible and respectful approach, each design comments on social, environmental or community subjects directly from, and with credit to its artist.
Let’s create change together!
Subscribe for updates, community events, member offers and new product drops.
