Close to My Heart Project
About
What began as a quirky tea towel dress and a love letter to domestic kitsch has grown into something much bigger and far more meaningful.
In June 2021, I posted a dress made from vintage tea towels on Instagram. I didn’t expect much but the response was overwhelming. Words like “a work of art,” “sheer brilliance,” and “epic” were thrown around (not lightly, I might add!). The dress clearly struck a thread and it sparked an idea.
What if I could turn this unexpected love into something that gives back?
The Close to My Heart Project brings together artists, designers, and brands to create one-of-a-kind dresses that are auctioned off to raise money for causes I care deeply about. Each year focuses on a new issue, and I always collaborate with people who have real, lived experience, because behind every cause are real human stories.
Below you’ll find a snapshot of each year’s project so far.
2024 – Body Image & Self-Worth
In partnership with Marimekko and their iconic Unikko prints, we created four joyful dresses to raise money for Embrace Collective - a charity helping young people feel confident in their bodies. The dresses were auctioned in-store alongside items donated by Marimekko Australia.
2022 – Domestic Violence Support
This year I collaborated with six incredible artists who each hand-painted fabric for me to turn into dresses. The final pieces were auctioned to raise funds for Beyond DV and Full Stop Australia - supporting survivors of domestic and family violence. Artists include: Claire Ritchie, Louise Meuwissen, Luke John Matthew Arnold, Shuh Lee, Sophie Beer, Emily McDuff.
2023 – Youth Mental Health & Bullying
A deeply personal project. I worked with five Australian fashion labels to repurpose their offcuts into one-of-a-kind dresses, with each sale raising money for youth-focused mental health and anti-bullying charities including Batyr, Minus18, The Reach Foundation, Stop Cyber Bullying and Dolly’s Dream. The brands I worked with were: Rachel Castle, Marimekko, Dowk, Obus, Jericho Road Clothing. Charities supported were: Batyr, Minus18, Dolly's Dream, The Reach Foundation & Stop Cyber Bullying.
2021 – Refugees & Asylum Seekers
The project began with a tribute to the women of Afghanistan. I created dresses from contemporary Australian tea towels, and all proceeds supported The Romero Centre and Women for Women International - organisations helping refugees and displaced women around the world. Goods generously supplied by Claire Ritchie, Anna Spiro, Aqua door Designs & Dancing with Juniper.
All images taken by Danielle O'Brien