New pop-up shop celebrates First Nations women in arts and business

The owners behind a new women's fashion and toy pop-up shop in North Melbourne say they are excited to create a space that also celebrates First Nations women through cultural workshops.

Known as Amber Days and Yarn Strong Sista Collective, the social enterprise at 54 Errol St will offer a range of women’s clothing, children’s felt toys, and homewares over the next two months.

As a collective, there will be opportunities for people of all ages to participate in indigenous cultural immersion workshops from meditation and wellness to bushtucker, skincare, storytelling, and weaving.

The shop is a joint venture between Yorta Yorta fashion designer Corina Muir and Taungurung education consultant Annette Sax, who both have established businesses and share the same vision of empowering First Nations women in business and arts. 

Ms Muir, the founder of Amber Days, an ethical and sustainable clothing label, said she was ecstatic to team up with Ms Sax, the founder of Yarn Strong Sista.

“We met through fashion and then when I applied for this space, she was kind enough to say yes to come on this journey with me and share the same vision,” she said.

Ms Sax said, “We’re passionate to bring Sistas along with us as we grow our own established businesses.”

The space will aim to create, collaborate, and share cultural knowledge with all products and workshops being run and designed by First Nations women.  

Ms Muir said it was the first time she had opened a physical store, which she described as a “humbling experience” in being able to connect with residents and shop owners.

“We use really expensive organic linens and really beautiful fabrics and sometimes that’s hard to portray through the internet but having a physical space has been really exciting for customers,” she said, adding locals had kindly donated assorted items to get their store off the ground. 

“We launched the collective with no budget, so it’s been a really beautiful project bringing the community together.”

First Nations women who will be running the workshops will be Lee Couch, Cassie Leatham, and qualified massage therapist Peta Hudson from Wunyun, which offers a range of ancient sacred workshops and services.

For more information: amberdays.com.au and yarnstrongsista.com