Amelia Grafas is endeavouring to change the negative way we often talk to ourselves with 'clothing that cares.”

Four years ago, the 28-year-old Mount Maunganui resident started a social media community called ‘Become Aware' on Instagram. With a group of friends, Amelia started sharing stories and creating videos to raise awareness surrounding topics on body image and mental health. This all started from Amelia's own mental health difficulties she was facing in 2018.

'I was actually going through a really hard time mentally with the person that I was – how I looked, how I felt, my body image; basically I just had a really toxic relationship with myself,” says Amelia.

'I realised that I actually wasn't alone and a lot of people feel the same but they just weren't really sure where to go or who to talk to when it comes to things like their mindset and their thoughts.”

Branching out

Eager to do something more with Become Aware this year, Amelia ventured in the way of starting up a clothing brand –something she had never done before.

'I'm not exactly an expert but if you actually put in the hard work you can do anything your mind wants to achieve.

'I realised I wanted to do clothing because if someone's got text on their clothing or I see a banner somewhere I always read it and I found that you can get messages out there so much faster,” says Amelia who worked with creative strategist from The Connection Co Charlie de Haas to bring her business idea to life.

With a focus on 'clothing that cares,” Amelia's clothing encourages self-positivity. 'The main reason I did it was because you can give yourself that reminder which is on the t-shirt: ‘Talk a little nicer to yourself today'.”

Stronger mindset

Having launched the '‘A Little Nicer' Tee” last Friday, and says she was feeling both nervous and excited but has continued to think of the ‘why?' behind her brand.

'I was in a really bad position mentally and I don't want anyone else to feel the same,” says Amelia.

'If we can create some awareness around certain topics or the way we think and build a stronger mindset, then in turn that just means so much to me – that's the end goal.”

Amelia plans to donate proceeds from her clothing to support mental health charities in future.

For your own Become Aware 'clothing that cares” visit: becomeaware.co.nz/collections/all